Chris Wood

BSc, DVM (Dist), MS, Residency Trained (surgery)

Veterinarian

Surgery

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Dr. Chris Wood was born in London, England, moving to Sydney, Australia in 2009, advantaged by his dual citizenship. Chris graduated from the University of Melbourne with distinction. During his studies, he completed externships at Colorado State University and the University of California, Davis, as well as attended the West Arnhem Land Dog Health Program amongst remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, and the International Symposium on Wildlife Utilization in South Africa. After graduation, he completed a small animal rotating internship at Southpaws Specialty Surgery, Australia, followed by an extended small animal surgical internship at VCA Alta Vista Animal Hospital, Canada, before completing a three-year residency at Colorado State University, United States.

Stemming from the mentorship he has received, Chris has a particular interest in skin and reconstruction, as well as orthopedic disorders relating to the hip and stifle. During his residency, Chris completed further education in Advanced Techniques in Small Animal Fracture Management and Small Animal Thoracoscopy and Advanced Small Animal Laparoscopy.

When not in surgery, Chris enjoys reading, exercising and playing with his dog Henry.

Surgery

Welcome to the Surgery Department of the VCA Canada Alta Vista Animal Hospital. We have been providing surgical referral services to the region for over 20 years. Our team consists of a board-certified Small Animal Surgeon and a highly trained support team, including receptionists, patient care coordinators, veterinary technicians, and surgical assistants. We believe that a “successful” surgical case requires attention to detail at every phase of case management, and all of our team contributes to that success.

These phases include the following:

Initial consultation with the surgeon and in depth discussion of the surgical technique, including any potential complications and anticipated outcomes and costs.
Accurate diagnosis using appropriate tests such as onsite blood tests, x-ray, computerized tomography (CT), arthroscopy, biopsy, etc.
Anesthesia – smooth induction and recovery with intensive intra-operative monitoring under the direct supervision of our board-certified Anesthesiologist.
Pain management – we believe in pre-emptive and multimodal pain management techniques
Surgery – careful attention to aseptic technique and our surgeons have a broad range of training and experience in a wide variety of surgical techniques.
Aftercare – Our 24-hour care facility ensures that appropriate pain management and postoperative management techniques are applied throughout the night and on weekends.
Home Care Instructions- an appointment is set up to ensure that all go-home instructions are gone over and understood. In addition, after care instructions are written down and accompany the owner in the discharge package.
Follow-up – we like to see our cases through to a successful conclusion whenever distance allows. Suture removal and other follow-up appointments are scheduled at the time of discharge.

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