Abdominal Surgery for Dogs and Cats in Boston

Expert surgical care for conditions affecting your pet’s stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, reproductive organs, and urinary system.

Our board-certified surgeons combine advanced imaging, specialized training, and hands-on experience to diagnose abdominal conditions accurately and treat them effectively, so your pet gets the right care from the start.

What Should I Know About Abdominal Surgery for My Dog or Cat? Abdominal surgery covers a lot of ground. The abdomen holds your pet's stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, bladder, and reproductive organs, and problems with any of these can require surgical treatment.

What makes abdominal surgery complex isn't usually the procedure itself. It's the diagnosis. Many abdominal conditions share similar symptoms: vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, or changes in bathroom habits. Reaching an accurate diagnosis is what allows the surgeon to choose the right procedure and give your pet the best possible outcome.

The good news? Most pets recover well from abdominal surgery. The key factors that influence recovery are how quickly the problem is identified, how precisely the surgery is performed, and how carefully the recovery plan is followed at home.

Our surgeons use CORE's on-site CT scanner when a more detailed picture would improve the surgical plan. They'll always explain what they're seeing, what they recommend, and why, so you can make a confident, informed decision for your pet.

Can Abdominal Surgery Be Done With Minimally Invasive Techniques?

Some abdominal procedures can be performed laparoscopically, using tiny incisions and a camera instead of a large open incision. This typically means less pain, less tissue disruption, and a faster recovery. Procedures like abdominal exploration, liver biopsies, and certain other conditions may be good candidates for this approach.

Our surgeons will always recommend whichever approach gives your pet the best result, whether that’s laparoscopic or traditional open surgery.

Common Abdominal Surgeries We Perform

CORE performs a wide range of abdominal surgeries in dogs and cats. Here are the conditions we see most often:

Splenic Masses

Splenic masses are common in older dogs, especially larger breeds like Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, and German Shepherds. Many are discovered during routine imaging or bloodwork before they cause any obvious symptoms. Removing the spleen is usually the recommended treatment, and dogs go on to live normal, healthy lives without one. The important next step is determining what the mass is, which is done by sending the tissue for analysis after surgery. Our surgeons will walk you through what to expect from the results and what they may mean for your pet going forward.

Bladder and Kidney Stones

Bladder stones, kidney stones, and urinary obstructions are common in both dogs and cats. When stones are too large to pass or dissolve with dietary management, or when they’re causing repeated infections or discomfort, surgery resolves the problem and helps your pet feel comfortable again. Kidney and ureteral obstructions, where a stone blocks the tube between the kidney and bladder, need more urgent attention because a blocked kidney can suffer permanent damage if it isn’t addressed promptly.

Liver & Gallbladder Surgery

Liver masses and certain gallbladder conditions may require surgical treatment. One of the more common conditions we see is gallbladder mucocele, where the gallbladder fills with abnormally thick mucus. Left untreated, the gallbladder can rupture and lead to a serious abdominal infection. Removing the gallbladder before that happens is a much safer, more controlled procedure than operating after a rupture, which is why early diagnosis makes such a difference.

Stomach and Intestinal Surgery

The stomach and intestines can be affected by tumors, outflow obstructions (where food can’t move through the stomach properly), and other conditions that interfere with your pet’s ability to eat, digest, and absorb nutrition. When medication or dietary changes aren’t enough, surgery addresses the underlying problem directly.

Reproductive Organ Surgery

Conditions involving the reproductive organs sometimes require surgical intervention beyond a standard spay or neuter. Cryptorchidism is a condition where one or both testicles fail to descend into the scrotum and instead remain in the abdomen or inguinal area. These retained testicles carry a significantly higher risk of developing tumors over time, so surgical removal is recommended even if the pet isn’t showing symptoms. Retained testicular tumors are another condition our surgeons treat, particularly in older intact or cryptorchid dogs where a mass has already developed. Pyometra, a life-threatening infection of the uterus in unspayed females, also requires urgent surgical treatment. Because these conditions involve organs deep within the abdomen, they benefit from the precision and experience of a board-certified surgeon.

Other Abdominal Surgeries We Perform

  • Foreign body removal (toys, socks, bones, or other objects stuck in the stomach or intestines)
  • Bladder masses
  • Stomach tumors and masses
  • Intussusception (where one section of intestine telescopes into another)
  • Kidney or ureteral obstructions
  • Ectopic ureter correction
  • Cancer surgery

What to Expect for Your Pet's Abdominal Surgery at CORE Your consultation includes a thorough exam, a review of any existing imaging or lab work, and additional diagnostics if needed, including CT when a more detailed look would improve the surgical plan. Your surgeon will explain what's going on, walk you through the recommended procedure, and discuss what recovery looks like. You'll have time to ask questions and fully understand the plan before anything moves forward.

Most abdominal surgeries require 10 to 14 days of restricted activity while the incision and internal tissues heal. That typically means leash walks for bathroom breaks only, an e-collar to prevent licking, and modified feeding in some cases. Specific recovery instructions vary by procedure, but you'll go home with a clear plan. Many dogs and cats feel noticeably better within just a few days, but internal healing takes the full two weeks. Following the recovery instructions carefully is one of the best things you can do for your pet's outcome.

Depending on the procedure, your pet may go home the same day or stay overnight for monitoring. You can call us anytime during recovery if you have questions or concerns.

Urgent and Emergency Abdominal Surgery

CORE accepts same-day emergency surgical cases for select conditions, including foreign body obstruction, pyometra, and urethral obstruction. If your pet is in crisis, call us directly at 978-488-0058 to speak with our team about next steps. Referring emergency clinics can also reach us by phone or email to coordinate urgent transfers.

Currently, emergency and abdominal surgical services requiring overnight monitoring are available on Thursdays. Beginning in late summer of 2026, these services will expand to Monday through Friday, giving pets across Greater Boston faster access to the urgent surgical care they need.

If you’re unsure whether your pet’s situation requires emergency attention, call us. We’d rather help you make that determination than have you wait.

Schedule Your Consultation

If your pet has been diagnosed with an abdominal condition, or your veterinarian has recommended a surgical evaluation, your consultation includes a complete exam, imaging review, and a clear recommendation for the best path forward.

CORE Veterinary Surgical Clinic provides board-certified abdominal surgery for dogs and cats across Greater Boston and the MetroWest region.