Comprehensive Small Animal Surgery Textbook

Make the right call in the OR, and make it with confidence.

Every small animal surgeon remembers the moment of standing over a patient and wondering: Is this the best procedure for this case? Am I doing each step correctly? What could go wrong, and how will I catch it early? Small Animal Surgery Textbook is written to answer those questions before, during, and after the procedure.

This practical, clinically focused reference guides veterinary students, residents, and practicing veterinarians through the full decision-making process of canine and feline surgery, from selecting the right procedure to closing and monitoring recovery. Rather than overwhelming you with theory, it focuses on what you need to know to plan, perform, and troubleshoot real cases.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• How to evaluate a patient and choose the most appropriate surgical approach for dogs and cats
• How to perform common soft tissue procedures, including spays and neuters, gastrointestinal surgery, wound reconstruction, urinary tract procedures, and more
• How to approach orthopedic repairs, including fracture fixation, joint stabilization, and the surgical principles behind them
• How to recognize complications early and respond effectively
• How to apply preventive strategies that protect your patients and your confidence

A STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH

Each procedure is presented in a clear, consistent sequence so you can find what you need quickly, whether you are studying the night before a rotation or reviewing a technique before a case:

• Indications and patient selection: when the procedure is appropriate, and when it is not
• Preoperative planning: what to assess, prepare, and discuss with the client
• Surgical technique: a logical walk-through from positioning and approach to closure
• Postoperative care: what to monitor and how to manage recovery
• Pearls and pitfalls: practical guidance on common mistakes and how to avoid them

COMPLICATIONS ADDRESSED THROUGHOUT

Complications are not saved for a single chapter at the end. They are built into every section, so you learn the risks alongside the technique. You will find guidance on what can go wrong, why it happens, how to prevent it, and what to do if it does. This approach helps build the clinical judgment that separates a competent surgeon from a confident one.

SOFT TISSUE AND ORTHOPEDIC COVERAGE IN ONE PLACE

Many learners juggle separate resources for soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. This textbook brings both together in a single, cohesive reference, so you can study across disciplines, compare approaches, and develop a more complete understanding of small animal surgical practice.

WHO THIS BOOK IS FOR

• Veterinary students building a foundation in surgical principles and preparing for clinical rotations
• Interns and residents refining technique and strengthening decision-making
• Practicing veterinarians who want a dependable, accessible reference for everyday and less routine procedures
• Veterinary technicians and surgical team members who want to better understand the procedures they assist with

WHY THIS BOOK

• Organized around real clinical questions, not just anatomy and theory
• Clear, consistent chapter structure for fast reference
• Practical emphasis on technique, planning, and outcomes
• Complication awareness woven into every section
• Written to build both skill and confidence

Add it to your library and approach your next surgery with confidence.