PLASTIC SURGERY FOR FIDO?

Story Time:
Many years ago, my dog was attacked by a larger dog resulting in facial trauma I thought would be devastating.  My talented vet told me she would  “nip and tuck” here and there. My dog’s mouth and nose had been destroyed and no longer sat on her face where they should.  They had been crushed in a larger dog’s mouth.  I was afraid the damage to the eye or skull had occurred, too.

After a seemingly quick recovery plus ten years, I am still grateful to the ER doctors and my own veterinarian for saving her life.  There is nothing to that denotes that there an any physical trauma and the expense of such a procedure was not financially burdensome to give my dog a normal life. 
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ORIGINALLY WRITTEN 02.17.2022

KIWI IN HER YOUNGER YEARS, PLAYING WITH HER BABY

Here are some basic procedures: 

• Botox: Multiple use for aesthetics cheiloplasty, a lip lift procedure that helps prevent excess drooling in larger breeds.
• Ear Cropping: From floppy ears to ears that stand up.  This is banned in several countries.
• Eye Lift: Controlling the eyelid when it rolls inward or outward preventing problems.
• Eye Replacement: Eye implant for several reasons
• Facelift:  Reduces wrinkles purpose of lessening bacterial-based issues.
• Rhinoplasty: Nose job to improve nasal airways.
• Tail Docking: From a longer tail to a shorter tail.
• Testicular Implants: From none to some following neutering. 
• Tummy Tuck: Removal excess skin after weight loss.

IMAGE COURTESY OF PAUL REYNOLDS

One buyer asked if after neutering his dog is there plastic surgery to have the dog look intact? At the time I was unfamiliar with testicular implants but assume there was something since plastic surgery is such a broad and booming market for humans.  I was right!  According to the American Pet Products Association Americans will spend more than $69 billion annually (since 2017). 

Surgeries are generally done to improve function for the dog with persistent issues. Most of these surgeries repair birth defects, damage done via accidents or to simply improve life in everyday medically warranted scenarios.  Some of these issues requiring repair are a result of misguided aesthetic-based breeding such as a shorter snout that can impair breathing along with other issues. Cosmetic surgery is on the rise in the US although many of these surgeries are banned overseas. Improving aesthetics for a dog without a medical reason is frowned upon. With any of these surgeries, there is a risk to the dog.  The answer to the question “Why?” most often is “They’re family”.            

References:
“From Birthday Parties to 'Pawdicures,' House-Bound Americans Can't Stop Spending on Their Pets.” Money, https://money.com/spending-on-pets/.

TodayShow. “Puppy Plastic Surgery Is a Booming Business - Here's Why.” TODAY.com, TODAY, 13 July 2017, https://www.today.com/pets/puppy-plastic-surgery-pets-booming-business-t113801.

Whalen, Sydney. “Plastic Surgery for Dogs: Top 9 Procedures for Man's Best Friend.” Zwivel, 1 Apr. 2022, https://www.zwivel.com/blog/canine-plastic-surgery/.