The procedures we do, in language a worried family can follow.
A specialty surgical practice does fewer things than a general hospital. That's the point. Below is what we treat, grouped by category, with plain-English explanations of what the surgery actually involves and what recovery typically looks like.
Orthopedic
Bones, joints, and the ligaments that hold the whole machine together.
- 01
TPLO & CCL Repair
The dog ACLThe cranial cruciate ligament is the canine equivalent of the human ACL. When it tears, the knee becomes mechanically unstable. A TPLO (tibial plateau leveling osteotomy) restores stability by rotating the angle of the tibia, letting your dog walk and run again without the ligament. This is the most common large-breed orthopedic surgery we perform.
- 02
Fracture Repair
Plating, pinning, external fixationBroken bones in dogs and cats heal beautifully when stabilized properly. Depending on the break, we use bone plates, intramedullary pins, or external skeletal fixators. Most fractures we repair are healed and weight-bearing within 8 to 12 weeks.
- 03
Patellar Luxation
Small-breed knee dislocationA common condition in small breeds where the kneecap slips out of its groove. Depending on the grade (1 through 4) we deepen the trochlear groove, transpose the tibial tuberosity, or release soft tissues. The surgical approach is tailored to the specific knee.
- 04
Achilles Tendon Repair
Reconstructive tendon surgeryA full Achilles rupture leaves a dog unable to extend the hock. We reconstruct the tendon with internal sutures and external support, then guide the family through a careful weeks-long recovery. Most dogs return to full activity.
Soft Tissue
Airways, abdomens, and the day-to-day soft-tissue work specialty surgery exists for.
- 05
Laryngeal Tie-Back
For laryngeal paralysisCommon in older Labradors, Goldens, and Pyrenees: the larynx stops opening, breathing becomes labored, summer becomes dangerous. The tie-back surgery permanently secures one side of the larynx open, restoring a normal airway. The change is often immediate.
- 06
Soft-Tissue Surgery
Splenectomy, GDV, intestinal repairThe everyday and the urgent: splenic masses, gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat), intestinal foreign bodies, bladder stones, abdominal exploratories. The procedures that often need to happen quickly, by hands that do them often.
- 07
Wound Reconstruction
Skin flaps, grafts, complex closuresWhen a wound is too large or in the wrong place to close simply, we use rotational flaps, advancement flaps, or skin grafts to rebuild healthy coverage. Important after large mass removals or traumatic injuries.
Oncology
Cancer surgery, done with margins and with the family.
- 08
Mass & Tumor Removals
Careful margins, coordinated careFrom small skin lumps to large abdominal masses. We take the time to plan margins appropriately, send tissue to pathology, and stay in conversation with your primary vet and oncologist on next steps. The goal is a clean removal and a good quality of life.
- 09
Oncologic Surgery
Including mandibulectomiesFor aggressive tumors that require more than a simple lumpectomy. Partial mandibulectomy or maxillectomy for oral tumors, limb-sparing approaches when possible, and full coordination with veterinary oncology. The decisions here are hard and we walk every family through them.
Don't see your pet's situation listed?
Most specialty cases don't fit neatly into a category. Call or request a consult and we'll either tell you we're the right place, or point you to who is.
