Specialty Surgery Services
Advanced Surgical Procedures
At Victoria Park Animal Hospital, our mission is to provide exceptional veterinary care for your beloved pets. We are dedicated to their health and well-being, ensuring they receive the best possible treatment in a compassionate environment. We offer advanced Surgical Procedures performed with the highest standard of care and precision. These procedures are followed by patient recovery with our expert caring technicians who treat each patient as if they were their own.
Advanced Surgical Procedures
Cardiothoracic (Heart and Lungs):
A number of conditions such as cancer, trauma, or pathology can require surgery within the chest (Thoracic Cavity). These are typically planned, elective surgeries, but occasionally problems can arise that require emergency surgery.
Signs your pet is having cardiothoracic problems including a fast breathing rate (even when at rest), lethargy, or diagnostics needed, such as radiographs, ultrasounds, and frequently a computed tomography (CT) scan. Your pet's prognosis and any complications related to the procedure or disease will be discussed.
These types of surgeries most often require several night of hospitalization.
● Lung Lobectomy ( for bulla or tumors )
● Thoracic duct ligation for chylothorax .
Urogenital Surgery:
Surgical Problems within the kidneys , ureters, bladder, or urethra can be seen as a consultation or an emergency that presents rather suddenly. Animals may be sick (not eating or drinking) ,vomiting, or not urinating. Alternatively, a pet may be urinating too often to have blood in the urine. Diagnostics such as radiographs, Ultrasound may be recommended, and additional imaging coils be requested if your pet is older or if cancer is suspected. Some animals require stabilization before surgery (like draining urine from a ruptured bladder or giving fluids to a very dehydrated animal).
● Bladder Stone Removal (Cystotomy)
● Bladder Tumor Removal (Partial Cystectomy)
● Perineal Urethrostomy (PU)
Reconstructive Surgery:
Tumors, bite wounds, or unexplained lacerations (it happens, even in the fenced backyard!) can occur at any time. One of the many advantages our pets have over humans is extensive loose skin within often thick, furry coats to hide the scar. Our surgeons are skilled at wound closure, silver -impregnated dressings, calcium alginate, and others. Large tumors may first require additional diagnostics, such as chest radiographs, ultrasounds, and possibly a computed tomography (CT) Scan. Reconstructive closure over these tumors may be feasible, depending upon the goal of surgery. If your pet requires additional bandage changes, these can often be done on an outpatient basis through our skilled nursing team.
● Axial Pattern Flaps
● Skin Grafting
● Eyelid surgery
● Nasal Fold
● Screw tail removal and more.
Hepatobiliary Surgery:
Surgery on the liver and gall bladder is frequently performed. Often these pets have been vomiting, losing weight, or have had increasing liver enzymes noted. While ultrasound is typically recommended for these patients, in additional cases a CT scan is beneficial to view the entire liver. We commonly see liver cancer that can be treated with surgery: Hepatocellular Carcinoma can have a 3+ year survival time without needing Chemotherapy. Gallbladder surgery is common in both dogs and cats and like humans, our pets can live happy lives without their gallbladders. Prognosis and complications are always discussed with these types of surgeries as complications are rare but can be serious.
● Liver Lobectomy
● Gall bladder removal ( Cholecystectomy )
Ear Surgery:
Surgery of the ear ( Often called total ear canal ablation or TECA) is a common
procedure for pets with severe allergies and infections, or cats with polyps in their ears. Tumors may also occur in or around the ear canal, necessitating removal. In some cases, additional imaging such as CT scan is requested to evaluate the middle ear or the extent of the disease.
● Total ear canal ablation with lateral bulla osteotomy ( TECA-BO )
● Ventral bulla osteotomy ( VBO )
Meet the Specialty Surgeon
Dr. Robert E. Fernand DVM
Dr. Robert E. Fernand is the President of Veterinary Surgical Services of South Florida. Dr. Fernand moved to Florida in August of 2012. For the first 2 years, he worked in the South Florida area, for different hospitals, providing clients and their pets his surgical experience, and passion. He has thus decided to expand his practice and become mobile to offer his services to local veterinary hospitals throughout the South Florida Area. This will allow Dr. Fernand to bring his surgical skill to the hospital where both the family veterinarian, and client have been accustomed to for years. All surgical equipment needed will be provided by Dr. Fernand. Dr. Fernand is very passionate about animals and strives to give the best solution and treatment to all his patients.
Dr. Fernand first started his educational journey at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University, where he graduated with a degree in Biology. From there he was able to attend the Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine, where he received his doctorate in 2008, with a special interest in advanced surgery. Following graduation, his pursuit towards small animal surgery started with a one year rotating internship at Florida Veterinary Specialists. This was followed by a one year specialty internship in small animal surgery at Long Island Veterinary Specialists. He then made his way to Maryland where he did a second surgical internship, as well as received Residency training alongside board certified surgeons at the Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists hospital. He continues to stay on top of current surgical technique and medical treatments to be able to offer his patients the best treatments possible.