VCA SouthPaws Surgical Center is proud to provide comprehensive surgical services, including pre- and post-operative care, intensive pain management, state-of-the-art anesthesia, and minimally invasive alternatives to open surgical procedures.
Our Surgery Department's services include:
What Is A Board Certified Veterinary Surgeon?
A board certified veterinary surgeon is a licensed veterinarian who has obtained intensive, additional surgical training. A veterinary surgeon can offer special assistance in the following kinds of cases:
While your general practitioner veterinarian can diagnose and treat many health problems, certain diseases and conditions require the care of a doctor who has had specialized, intensive surgical training in order to provide the very best outcome for your pet. Your veterinary surgeon will work closely with your general practitioner, as well as other board certified specialists in internal medicine, veterinary oncology, veterinary neurology, and veterinary radiology if needed to ensure the best outcome possible for your pet.
Why Does My Pet Need A Veterinary Surgeon?
Just as your own primary care physician may feel the need to refer you to the care of a specialist from time to time, your general practitioner veterinarian may feel your pet needs the additional expertise of a board certified surgeon for certain surgeries. In fact, many general practitioner veterinarians refer all but the most routine of surgeries to surgical specialists.
Board certified veterinary surgeons often choose to work at 24/7/365 specialty/emergency hospitals where they may have access to specialized diagnostic or surgical equipment, the latest and safest anesthesia monitoring equipment, physical therapy or rehabilitation capabilities, and other critical care services. All of these specialized services may be necessary for the optimal care and recovery of your pet.
You can be assured that a veterinarian who knows when to refer you and your pet to a veterinary surgeon is one that is caring and committed to ensuring that your pet receives the highest standard of care for his or her problem.
What Kinds of Problems Require the Expertise of a Veterinary Surgeon?
Board certified veterinary surgeons can repair complex fractures, perform total hip replacements, and use advanced techniques to repair torn ligaments (ruptured cruciate ligaments) within the knee. They can also remove cancerous growths, manage extensive or non-healing wounds, and perform reconstructive surgery, such as grafting skin over large injuries. Veterinary surgeons can perform intricate surgeries in the chest or abdomen. They can maximize your pet's chances to be cured from certain cancers by performing the best surgery, the right way, the first time.. For pets whose conditions could be treated with minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopy, thoracoscopy or arthroscopy, your veterinary surgeon has the expertise and experience to operate these delicate instruments correctly. For some diseases, the only way to know how to treat is to get biopsies, and your veterinary surgeon may have the best opportunity to obtain the necessary samples. Veterinary surgeons can also provide advice on best non-surgical management for dogs or cats with degenerative joint disease (arthritis).
Will My Regular Veterinarian Still Be Involved?
VCA SouthPaws Veterinary Surgical Center prefers a team approach to your pet's care. While we may be the ones doing the surgery and initial follow up, or rehabilitative therapy, we will make sure that your veterinarian get s copies of all medical records, biopsy reports and plans so that your veterinarian can resume your pet's care as quickly as optimal care allows.
Did You Know?
Just as in humans, a pet's recovery from veterinary surgery can go more smoothly or even result in a better outcome with the addition of rehabilitation options. Many veterinary specialty hospitals like VCA SouthPaws offer rehabilitation services, such as physical therapy, and massage therapy, as an adjunct to surgical care.
If you think that your pet may be a candidate for veterinary surgery, talk to your general practitioner veterinarian, or find a board certified veterinary surgeon near you today.
Our Surgery Department offers helpful resources that provide further information to help pet owners become informed about many aspects of surgical treatment for pets. Please feel free to browse and download any of the documents from our resource library below:
One of the most common causes of rear limb lameness in dogs is a tear or rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament. Similar to the anterior cruciate ligament in people, this ligament provides stabilization within the stifle joint (the “knee”). When this ligament is injured, it is painful to the animal and causes degenerative changes and arthritis. In most cases, surgical stabilization is recommended to minimize abnormal wear and tear in the joint. The TPLO or Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy is one of the most common surgeries performed to restore the biomechanics of the stifle.
Your veterinary specialist will discuss in greater detail the specifics of this surgery and the importance of exercise restriction and physical therapy during the recovery period.
The term elbow dysplasia refers to a group developmental degenerative diseases of the elbow joint that can occur in medium to large breed dogs. Dogs with elbow dysplasia typically show signs of lameness before reaching one year of age, although in some cases lameness may not become apparent until middle age.
The treatment for this disease can involve surgical and/or medical options. If you think your dog is experiencing problems in his or her elbow joint, be sure to discuss your concerns with your veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia is a hereditary, developmental disease that affects the coxofemoral (hip) joints of dogs. Certain breeds are more likely to be affected than others and the prevalence of the condition in large and giant breeds is well documented. Small breed dogs and cats can also be affected but this is much less common.
The coxofemoral joint is a ball and socket joint. With hip dysplasia, the coxofemoral joint is lax and the ball of the joint comes out of the socket in varying degrees. This abnormal motion within the joint creates inflammation and damages the cartilage of the joint and osteoarthritis develops. All puppies should be evaluated for laxity in the hip joint since signs of the disease may not appear until after the dog matures. Hip pain, stiffness, abnormal gait patterns, an audible 'clicking' sound while walking, and a reluctance to exercise are all possible signs of hip dysplasia.
The disease is usually diagnosed using sedated palpation (manual manipulation) of the coxofemoral joints and radiographs (x-rays). There are multiple surgical treatment options available depending on the patient’s age, response to medical therapy and severity of the disease.
Many owners are increasingly seeking specialized care for their pets, just as they do with other family members, in order to secure the very best outcome. If your pet is facing surgery, here are some questions you may wish to ask your general practitioner veterinarian:
How often have you performed this type of surgery?
Does the surgery require any special equipment?
Is it available?
Does my pet's surgery require a specialist?
What should I expect the outcome of the surgery to be?
What follow up care is necessary?
Source: The American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Veterinarians who want to become board certified in small animal surgery must seek additional training to become a specialist and earn this prestigious credentialing. Specialty status is granted by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). A veterinarian who has received this specialty status will list the initials, 'DACVS,' after his or her DVM degree. Or, the veterinarian may indicate that he or she is a 'Diplomate' of the ACVS. The word 'Diplomate' means the veterinarian has achieved the following:
1. Obtained a degree in veterinary medicine from a university certified by the American Veterinary Medical Association following completion of undergraduate requirements
2. Completed a one year general internship, plus an additional three to four years of advanced training in a residency at an ACVS approved veterinary teaching hospital where the veterinarian will have trained with some of the best surgeons in the field and obtained hands on experience
3. Completed the credentialing application process established by the ACVS, including publication of research results
4. Passed a rigorous examination
Once these requirements have been met, the veterinarian is then awarded Diplomate status by the ACVS and is recognized as a board certified specialist in veterinary surgery. When your pet needs the care of a veterinary surgeon, you can be assured that years of additional training and education will be applied to the care of your pet so that he or she can enjoy the highest quality of life possible.
Tumor removal
Limb amputation
Cruciate ligament repair (TPLO's and other traditional methods)
Hip replacement
Surgical repair of elbow dysplasia
Spinal problems/herniated discs
Gastric dilatation/volvulus
Wound management and skin reconstruction
Congenital defects
Urinary obstructions
Cancer Surgeries
Cancer does appear to be becoming more common in both dogs and cats, most likely because they are simply living longer. However, early detection and specialized care are leading to increased survival and cure rates in almost all the types of cancers that afflict pets. From surgery to chemotherapy to radiation therapy, veterinary cancer specialists (link to cancer specialty page) can offer your pet the very latest diagnostic and treatment options and the best chance of survival. With optimal treatment, cancer in many cases simply becomes another manageable chronic disease.
Surgery is one of the most common treatment options for pets with cancer, and can lead to enhanced survival times and better quality of life for many affected pets. Your veterinary surgeon will work closely with your general practitioner or veterinary oncologist to ensure your pet is getting the very best care.
Three orthopedic surgeries that are commonly performed in pets are triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO), total hip replacement (THR), and cruciate ligament repair (TPLO).
In the TPO procedure, the bones of the pelvis are cut apart and rotated to more correct positions. In THR procedures, a dog's diseased hip joints are replaced with prosthetic ones. TPO's and THR's are two commonly used surgical techniques for the treatment of canine hip dysplasia (CHD), an inherited and potentially painful disease that affects the hip joints of millions of dogs. Cruciate ligament disease can
occur in both dogs and cats, who usually tear or rupture this ligament while exercising, playing, or simply landing incorrectly after a jump. The ligament will not heal without surgery. Surgery helps to stabilize the pet's knee joint and prevent further wear on the joint and associated structures. An increasingly common surgical technique to correct this situation is called the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy'"or TPLO.
Surgery is a major medical procedure and is often associated with pain in both animals and humans. You can be assured that your veterinary team'"your pet's general practitioner veterinarian, veterinary surgeon, and any other veterinary specialists involved in your pet's care'"will prescribe pain management options to help keep your pet as comfortable as possible before, during, and after surgery. If you are concerned about pain management for your pet, simply ask your veterinarian.
