High Tech – Soft Touch

The hospital has three complete surgical suites, each equipped with state-of-the-art surgical equipment for performing the most up-to-date procedures. In addition, each suite is outfitted with a mechanical ventilator and continuous monitoring equipment, including:

  • Pulse oximetry
  • EKG
  • Blood pressure
  • End-tidal CO2

This instrumentation combined with table-side testing and a complete in-house laboratory ensures that each patient receives the safest possible anesthesia.

Post-operatively, the surgery department is committed to making your pet as comfortable as possible. Patients are allowed to recover in a warm, comfortable atmosphere with continued careful monitoring. It is widely recognized that it is much easier to prevent pain than it is to eliminate it. A pro-active, multi-modal approach to pain management is a part of every surgery patient’s pre- and post-operative plan, and our highly trained technicians continuously monitor for signs of discomfort.

High Tech – Soft Touch

The hospital has three complete surgical suites, each equipped with state-of-the-art surgical equipment for performing the most up-to-date procedures. In addition, each suite is outfitted with a mechanical ventilator and continuous monitoring equipment, including:

  • Pulse oximetry
  • EKG
  • Blood pressure
  • End-tidal CO2 monitoring

This instrumentation combined with table-side testing and a complete in-house laboratory ensures that each patient receives the safest possible anesthesia.

Post-operatively, the surgery department is committed to making your pet as comfortable as possible. Patients are allowed to recover in a warm, comfortable atmosphere with continued careful monitoring. It is widely recognized that it is much easier to prevent pain than it is to eliminate it. A pro-active, multi-modal approach to pain management is a part of every surgery patient’s pre- and post-operative plan, and our highly trained technicians continuously monitor for signs of discomfort.

Surgeries

Soft-Tissue

The board-certified surgeons at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists have completed advanced continuing education in order to remain abreast of the latest advances in soft-tissue surgical techniques and peri-operative care. We work cooperatively with your primary care veterinarian to assess and treat a wide variety of soft-tissue conditions.

SOFT-TISSUE SURGICAL PROCEDURES INCLUDE (BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO):

  • Upper airway surgery—Brachycephalic syndrome, laryngeal paralysis, tracheostomy, tumor removal, trauma repair, tracheal stenting procedures
  • Thoracic surgery—Cardiovascular problems including patent ductus arteriosus ligation, cardiac tumor removal, lung tumor removal, abscess drainage/removal, trauma repair, lung lobe torsion removal
  • Abdominal surgery—Gastric dilatation and volvulus repair,Bloat, gastrointestinal obstruction (foreign body retrieval), intra-abdominal tumor removal, hernia repair, portosystemic shunt attenuation, bladder stone removal, urethrostomy, stenting procedures, cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal), peritonitis management
  • Surgery of the skin (tumor removal, management of dermatologic problems) and wound reconstruction (including skin flaps and skin grafts)
  • Ear surgery
As with all surgeries at OSVS, soft-tissue surgery patients receive a complete pre-operative assessment; benefits of continuous monitoring equipment, a pro-active, multi-modal approach to pain management; and 24-hour post-operative monitoring and care by our emergency/critical care doctors and highly trained technicians.

Ocean State Veterinary Specialists is committed to providing high quality, specialized pet care. If you believe your pet may benefit from our surgery services, please speak with your family veterinarian about a referral.

Orthopedic

At Ocean State Veterinary Specialists, our board-certified surgeons are able to manage a variety of orthopedic conditions in pets, which includes disorders of bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons.

Lameness is one of the most common ailments encountered by pet owners. While some minor conditions causing pets to limp can resolve without intervention, any persistent lameness requires veterinary evaluation. Using the latest imaging technology and diagnostic procedures, our specialists can accurately diagnose the cause of orthopedic issues and recommend the most beneficial procedures. OSVS surgeons remain current through extensive professional development and advanced continuing education in order to offer the latest advances in surgical techniques and peri-operative care.

ORTHOPEDIC SURGICAL PROCEDURES INCLUDE (BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO):

  • Cranial Cruciate Ligament Repair
    1. Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA)
    2. Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)
    3. Nylon stabilization
  • Other tendon and ligament repair
  • Fracture repair
  • Repair of joint luxations
  • Treatment of congenital and developmental orthopedic diseases
  • Management of chronic lameness
View a gallery of images from a few of our orthopedic cases.

As with all surgeries at OSVS, orthopedic surgery patients will be evaluated prior to surgery through a complete pre-operative assessment. All patients receive the benefits of continuous monitoring; a pro-active, multi-modal approach to pain management; and 24-hour post-operative monitoring and care by our emergency/critical care doctors and highly trained technicians.

Ocean State Veterinary Specialists provides high quality, specialized pet care. If you believe your pet may benefit from our surgery services, please speak with your family veterinarian about a referral.

Neurosurgery

NEUROSURGERY

Our Neurologists often collaborate with our surgeons in the treatment of conditions that are best managed with surgical intervention. Neurologic conditions that are treated surgically at OSVS include (but are not limited to):

  • Intervertebral disc disease
  • Vertebral fractures/luxation
  • Cervical vertebral instability
  • Tumor resection from brain, spinal cord
  • Congenital Spinal Deformities

Minimally Invasive

Minimally invasive surgeries are procedures that utilize a small video camera within a long sterile tube. The camera can be inserted through a small skin incision and into a body cavity, such as the abdomen (laparoscopy), chest (thoracoscopy), or a joint (arthroscopy). The image obtained by the camera is displayed on a video monitor. This allows the surgeon to visualize the interior of the body cavity. Specialized surgical equipment can be introduced through tiny incisions as well, and the surgeon can watch the monitor and manipulate these instruments to perform various procedures.

LAPAROSCOPY AND THORACOSCOPY

In human medicine, minimally invasive surgical techniques are utilized for many common surgeries and are preferred because of the reduced post-operative pain and rapid recovery times they allow. In veterinary medicine, most major abdominal and thoracic surgeries are performed using standard surgical approaches, but there are many procedures that can be done safely and effectively using minimally invasive methods.

These might include:

  • Biopsies of internal organs—Obtaining a biopsy using laparoscopy allows the surgeon to visualize the abnormal organ or abdominal mass and biopsy the most abnormal area. This increases the chances of getting an accurate diagnosis. The surgeon can also monitor the biopsy site for bleeding and address this as needed.
  • Gastropexy—Some large breed dogs are at risk for a twisted stomach (gastric dilatation and volvulus, or GDV), which is a life-threatening emergency. Using laparoscopy, the stomach can be stitched to the body wall to prevent it from being able to rotate. Some dog owners choose to have this performed in high-risk dogs, especially if it can be combined with a spay.
  • Ovariohysterectomy/ovariectomy (spay)—These routine procedures can be performed using laparoscopy.
  • Chest surgeries including partial lung lobe removal (generally due to tumors) and pericardectomy (removal of the sac surrounding the heart if it is diseased).

ARTHROSCOPY

The use of the arthroscope allows the surgeon to visualize the inside of a joint without opening the joint up completely. Abnormalities that can be detected include:

  • Ruptured ligament or meniscus
  • Cartilage flap associated with Osteochondrosis dessicans
  • A small bone fragment that may have fractured into the joint
These damaged tissues can cause pain and lameness and need to be removed to provide comfort and full mobility for the patient. Arthroscopy allows the introduction of surgical instruments, guided by the video scope, which can be used to clean up the joint surfaces. The surgeon can also use the arthroscope to fully evaluate the joint to determine the best surgical plan and prognosis for various abnormalities.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LAPAROSCOPIC AND ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY?

  • Smaller incisions
  • Reduced pain
  • Faster recovery time and shorter hospitalization
  • Reduced blood loss
  • Shortened anesthesia time
  • Better biopsy samples than needle aspirates or tru-cut biopsies
  • Reduced scar formation

DO YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

Please call Ocean State Veterinary Specialists to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified surgeons who has received additional training in this specialized area of veterinary surgery.

Surgical Oncology

The surgical treatment of cancer is truly a team effort. Your primary care veterinarian may identify the presence of a tumor and refer you to OSVS for treatment. The emergency doctors and internists determine what information is needed in order to know whether surgical removal of the tumor is possible and what the pet needs in the immediate phase of therapy.. The diagnostic imaging team may utilize our on site Ultrasound, CT scanner or MRI capabilities to determine the extent of the tumor and whether it is removable, and what other structures may create challenges for surgical removal. The surgeons utilize this information to remove as much of the tumor as possible while maintaining the safety of the patient. The oncologist then follows up the surgical treatment by determining subsequent medical therapies to limit regrowth or recurrence of the tumor. The excellent relationships our doctors have with one another, and with our referring veterinarians, allows your pet to truly have an entire cohesive team ensuring the best care possible.