Surgery

The cutting edge of veterinary treatment for dogs and cats.

Whether your Golden Retriever swallowed something he shouldn’t have or your Siamese Cat developed a tumor, Animal Specialty Group offers innovative, cutting-edge surgical procedures, in addition to traditional, proven techniques, to handle both the routine as well as the complex. From minimally invasive procedures and laser surgery, to designing and developing groundbreaking techniques and equipment, our industry-leading surgeons have been diagnosing and treating animals of all sizes for over 20 years.

Today, our board-certified surgeons work in conjunction with our specialists in internal medicine, oncology, and radiology, to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions in both dogs and cats, including Total Hip Replacement (THR), Canine Hip Dysplasia, Ruptured Cruciate Ligament injuries, Patellar Luxation Repair, Femoral Head Ostectomy, Osteochondritis Dissecans, Arthroscopy, and a whole lot more.

Cutting with light.

CO2 surgical lasers are another valuable addition to our surgical arsenal. Laser surgery allows for very discrete, very specific incisions, without the bleeding caused by traditional scalpel surgery. Just as with other surgical instruments, lasers are not appropriate for every surgery. But in some procedures, such as a cancerous tumor with a large, complicated blood supply, or oral surgery such as soft palate resections in brachycephalic breeds, lasers are precisely the right way to go. Surgical lasers are literally the cutting edge of surgical tools.

Less invasive = Less painful.

Minimally-invasive surgery is the wave of the future for many procedures in both human and veterinary medicine. Rigid endoscopy allows surgery to be performed through few very small incisions, which causes less trauma, less discomfort and requires shorter healing times. And faster healing means happier animals – and happy pet parents.

At Animal Specialty Group, our surgeons even work with endoscope manufacturers to not only stay current, but to make suggestions to improve the procedures or instrument design.

Surgical innovations.

Human and veterinary surgery is advancing constantly. Advances in materials, engineering, and techniques benefit all surgeons, regardless of the species of the patient. We take advantage of these breakthroughs in materials and procedures to create unique solutions to animal-specific problems and needs for both dogs and cats alike.

Dr. Kirk Wendelburg was a major contributor to the design of the implant and surgical procedure for the most commonly performed canine hip replacement today. More recently, Dr. Wendelburg tackled the problem of canine elbow replacement, working with engineers across the globe to design a revolutionary new elbow replacement implant and surgery for dogs with elbow dysplasia.

As material technology continues to advance, VCA ASG surgeons will continue to advance the surgical options for our animal patients.

Surgery Services:

Orthopedics

HIPS

  • Total Hip Replacement
  • Early Hip Evaluation for Dysplasia
  • Triple Pelvic Osteotomy
  • Femoral Head Ostectomy

KNEES

  • Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (For more info, visit www.tploanswers.com)
  • Other Cruciate Ligament Injuries
  • Patellar Luxation Repair
  • Osteochondritis Dissecans

GENERAL ORTHOPEDICS

  • Arthroscopy
  • Fracture Repair (Bone Plating + External Skeletal Fixation)
  • Dislocated Joint Repair
  • Osteochondritis Dissecans
  • Angular Limb Deformity
  • Tendon + Ligament Repair
  • Arthrodesis
  • Carpal + Tarsal Instabilities
  • Developmental Orthopedic Correction

Soft Tissue Surgery

  • Gastrointestinal Surgery
  • Liver / Gall Bladder Surgery (Including Porto-Systemic Shunts)
  • Skin Grafts
  • Reconstructive Surgery
  • Upper + Lower Respiratory Surgery
  • Hernia Repair

Cancer/Oncologic Surgery

  • Limb Sparing Procedures
  • Reconstructive Surgery
  • Limb Amputation
  • Tumor Removal

Thoracic/Cardiac Surgery

  • Patent Ductus Arteriosus
  • Pericardectomy
  • Congenital Heart Defect Correction (Persistent Right Aortic Arch + Septal Wall Defects)
  • Pace Maker Implantation

Neurosurgery

  • Hemilaminectomy
  • Cerebral Spinal Fluid Tap
  • Vertebral Fracture Repair
  • Spinal Tumor Removal
  • Intevertebral Disc Disease Surgery
  • Cervical Vertebral Instability (Wobbler’s)
  • Lumbosacral Stenosis

Make A Referral:

Click here to download our convenient referral form and fax it back to us at (818) 507-9418. Please include blood work results, radiographs, vaccine history, and relevant portions of the medical record.

  • Radiographs sent with the owner will be returned promptly.
  • Have owners call directly for the next available appointment.
  • If a case needs to be seen urgently, please call and speak with a member of our Surgery Team.
Our Surgery Services
Frequently Asked Questions

The most common cause of rear limb lameness in dogs is a tear or rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This painful injury allows degenerative changes to occur in the pet's stifle joint (which, despite its location, actually corresponds to the human knee joint). Just as in people, this is a delicate joint, prone to traumatic injury, in which the 'kneecap' is held in place on top of the tibia by two cruciate ligaments. Rupture can occur when the joint is rotated unexpectedly, hyperextended, or when it is hit catastrophically from the side or the front. Certain conformational defects, such as crooked legs, can also lead to a slow degeneration of the joint over time.

There is a surgical correction, however, that can help alleviate the problem. Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy, or TPLO, is a procedure which puts the animal's knee joint back in proper alignment. During the surgery, the leg bones are cut and rotated to their proper positions and then stabilized using a metal plate and bone screws. As with any kind of complicated orthopedic surgery, the recovery period is crucial and the animal's activity must be severely limited. Patients must not be allowed to jump, play, run, climb up and down stairs, or do much more than walk quietly on a leash.
 

The term elbow dysplasia refers to a degenerative disease of the elbow joint. There are several different potential causes for the problem, that may occur singly or at the same time in the same animal. Elbow dysplasia occurs primarily 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.
 

This is a hereditary, developmental disease that affects the hip joints of dogs. Certain breeds are more likely to be affected than others. Although its occurrence in large and giant breeds is well documented, there is evidence that it may also be present in smaller breed dogs and cats as well.

Poor conformation of the hip and thigh bone structures result in a 'looseness' of this ball and socket joint. This looseness allows the ball part of the joint to move in the socket, instead of remaining stable as it should in a healthy, normal, tight fit. This abnormal movement can create wear and tear in the joint, leading to arthritis. Although signs of the disease do not typically appear until after the dog matures, puppies as young as five to six months can be affected. 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 radiographs, or x-rays. The treatment for this condition is primarily surgical. In one type of procedure, the Triple Pelvic Osteotomy, or TPO, the bones of the pelvis are cut apart and rotated to more correct positions. In Total Hip Replacement (THR) procedures, a dog's diseased hip joints are replaced with prosthetic ones. The goal of both surgeries is to provide your pet with some measure of normal activity and function and to reduce the pain associated with the condition. A very high level of success is reported with these surgeries. However, as with all major procedures, it is very important to follow your veterinary surgeon's recommendations regarding recovery and rehabilitation.
 

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, intensive 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' typically means the specialist has achieved the following:  

Obtained a degree in veterinary medicine from a university certified by the American Veterinary Medical Association following completion of undergraduate requirements.

Completed a one year general internship, plus an additional three to four years of advanced training in a residency at a veterinary teaching hospital where the veterinarian will have trained with some of the best surgeons in the field and obtained hands on experience. Surgery residents also have to complete a case log in soft tissue, orthopedic, and neurologic surgery.

Completed the credentialing application process established by the ACVS, including publication of research results.

Passed a rigorous examination.

After completing and passing all of these rigorous requirements, the veterinarian is then recognized by his or her peers as a board certified specialist in veterinary surgery. When your pet needs the care of a veterinary surgeon, years of additional training and education will be focused on helping him or her to recover from injury or illness and 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.