Surgery

What is a Board-Certified Surgeon?

All veterinarians may perform surgery as part of their veterinary practice; however, difficult cases may be best managed by a specialist. Board-certified surgeons work closely with you and your family veterinarian before and after surgery in a team approach to ensure continuity of care for your pet. Following surgery and any postoperative follow-up care, your family veterinarian resumes ongoing care of your pet.

A veterinary surgeon has undergone additional training after veterinary school in order to become a board-certified specialist. This training consists of a 1-year internship followed by a 3-year residency program that meets guidelines established by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). During the residency program, there are specific training and caseload requirements that must be met. In addition to these requirements, applicants must perform research that is published in a scientific journal and pass a rigorous examination. Surgery specialists are also referred to as “Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons” or “board-certified surgeons.”

Most board-certified surgeons work at large hospitals or referral centers; therefore, in addition to having advanced surgical training, they also have access to state-of-the-art facilities, equipment, and support staff that may not be available to your primary veterinarian.

Veterinary surgeons are dedicated to providing the very best in surgical care. They also act as a resource for your family veterinarian by providing consultations on difficult or unusual cases. With their advanced training, these specialists offer the expertise that ensures the best possible outcome for you and your pet.

Surgical Services

Some of our surgical procedures include:

• Arthroscopy

• Cardiovascular Surgery

• Fracture Repair

• Abdominal Surgery

• Angular Limb Deformities (ALD)

• Joint Surgery

• Neurosurgery

• Oncologic (Cancer and Tumor) Surgery

• Reconstructive Surgery

• Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)

• Thoracic Surgery

• Treatment of Hip Dysplasia

• Urogenital Surgery

• Intervertebral Disc Disease

• Thoracoscopy

• Laparoscopy

• Fluoroscopy

• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

• Stem Cell Therapy

• Platelet Rich Plasma

Resources

Total Hip Replacement as a Treatment for Hip Dysplasia

https://www.acvs.org/small-animal

https://www.acvs.org/questions-small-animal-surgery

https://www.acvs.org/frequent-questions

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