Soft Tissue Surgery in Prescott, AZ

Soft tissue surgery covers any procedure that does not involve bone or joints: mass removals, abdominal exploratory, gastrointestinal and urinary surgery, reconstructive wound repair, hernia repair, and more. Dr. Bason has a particular interest in reconstructive and urinary surgery, and our surgical suite is equipped for the full range of routine and complex soft tissue procedures.

Procedures we routinely perform

• Mass and lump removals (skin, subcutaneous, mammary, intra-abdominal)
• Abdominal exploratory surgery for foreign body, GI obstruction, or biopsy
• Cystotomy (bladder stone removal) and other urinary tract surgery
• Splenectomy
• Gastropexy (stomach tacking) to prevent bloat in at-risk breeds
• Cherry eye repair and entropion correction
• Aural hematoma repair
• Wound reconstruction, skin flaps, and laceration repair
• Hernia repair (umbilical, inguinal, perineal)
• Anal gland removal (anal sacculectomy) for chronic problems
• Foxtail and foreign-body removal
• Biopsies of organs and masses for pathology

Our surgical safety standard

Every surgical patient receives the same baseline of care, regardless of how routine or complex the procedure:

• Pre-anesthetic exam and bloodwork
• IV catheter placement and intravenous fluid support throughout surgery
• Modern inhalant anesthesia individualized to the patient
• Continuous monitoring of heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, capnography, body temperature, and respiration by a dedicated technician
• Active warming during and after surgery to prevent hypothermia
• Multimodal pain management beginning before the first incision
• Sterile surgical instruments, gowns, gloves, and a dedicated surgical suite
• Dedicated post-operative recovery monitoring until your pet is fully awake and stable

What to expect on surgery day

You will drop your pet off in the morning after withholding food overnight (water is fine). We perform a final exam, place an IV catheter, and induce anesthesia. Surgery time varies with the procedure, from 20 minutes for a simple skin mass to 2 hours or more for complex abdominal work. Your pet wakes up in our recovery area with a technician at their side. We call you when surgery is complete and again at discharge. Most patients go home the same day with detailed written instructions, take-home pain medication, and a recovery cone or suit.

Recovery and follow-up

Standard post-operative care is 10 to 14 days of restricted activity, cone use until the incision is fully healed, and a recheck appointment at the end of the recovery period. Pain medication and any antibiotics go home labeled with clear instructions. We are available by phone for any questions during recovery, and we encourage owners to call sooner rather than later if anything seems off. Many soft tissue surgeries also include a pathology report on submitted tissue, which we review with you at the recheck.

When we refer to a specialist

For procedures that require board-certified surgical equipment or expertise (TPLO and other complex orthopedic work, advanced thoracic surgery, oncologic surgery on tumors with complex margins, complicated portosystemic shunts), we work with specialty hospitals in the Phoenix area. We coordinate the referral, send your pet's records, and stay involved in long-term follow-up.

Frequently asked questions

Is anesthesia safe for my pet?

For most healthy pets, modern veterinary anesthesia is very safe. We screen with pre-anesthetic bloodwork, place an IV catheter, give IV fluids during surgery, and assign a dedicated technician to monitor your pet from induction through recovery. Older pets and pets with underlying conditions get an individualized anesthetic plan calibrated to their physiology.

How long is recovery from soft tissue surgery?

Most soft tissue surgeries follow a 10 to 14 day recovery timeline. Activity is restricted, the incision is kept dry, and a cone or recovery suit prevents licking. Larger or more complex procedures (abdominal exploratory, splenectomy, complex reconstructions) may require a slower return to normal activity. We will give you a specific timeline at discharge.

What pain management do you provide?

Multimodal pain control. That means we use multiple pain pathways together (an opioid, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, and often a local block) so each medication can be used at a lower dose. Pain control begins before the incision and continues through recovery. Take-home pain medications go home with every surgical patient with clear written instructions.

When should I be concerned post-surgery?

Call us at (928) 771-1340 if you see significant swelling, bleeding, discharge, or opening at the incision; if your pet will not eat after 24 hours; if vomiting or diarrhea is more than mild; if your pet seems unusually painful despite medication; or if you see any neurologic changes. After-hours calls go to our local emergency partner.

Will the mass come back after removal?

It depends entirely on the type of mass. Benign lipomas and sebaceous cysts rarely recur if removed completely. Some malignant tumors can recur or spread. The pathology report we run on every submitted mass tells us what we are dealing with and whether further treatment, monitoring, or referral to oncology is indicated. We review the report with you at the recheck.

What does soft tissue surgery cost?

Cost varies dramatically based on the procedure, anesthesia time, and any additional treatments needed. We always provide a written estimate before scheduling and call during the procedure if findings change the plan. Please call (928) 771-1340 for a specific quote.

Related services: Spay & Neuter Services, Pain Management, Internal Medicine & Diagnostics.

Reviewed by Dr. Sarah Bason, DVM. Last reviewed May 1, 2026.