Lindsey Kurach

DVM, DACVS-SA

Veterinary Specialist

Surgery

Refer a patient

At a Glance

Practicing Since:

2010

Board Certified:

DACVS-SA 2015

My Pets:

Two dogs (Darwin & Newton)
Two cats (Lynx and Lyric)

Dr. Lindsey Kurach was born and raised in Spruce Grove, Alberta. She attended Western College of Veterinary Medicine for her veterinary degree. After graduating from the WCVM in 2010, Dr. Kurach completed a one year small animal rotating internship at the Veterinary Emergency Centre in Toronto and then came to VCA Canada Guardian Veterinary Centre for a one year small animal surgical internship, which she completed in 2012. In 2015, Dr. Kurach completed her three year small animal surgical residency in Michigan State University, and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dr. Kurach has an interest in minimally invasive osteosynthesis for fracture repair using interlocking nails and locking plates, as well as wound management and reconstructive surgeries.

In her free time, she spends quality family time with her husband, three daughters, and her four fur kids.

Publications

Clinical Veterinary Advisor: 4th Edition, edited by Etienne Cote (2018)

Authored Chapters: -Aural Hematomas -Peritonitis (general)

Authored: Lindsey Kurach

Published: 2018

The Effect of Low Level Laser Therapy on the Healing of Open Wounds in Dogs

Objective: To evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on acute, full-thickness wound healing in dogs.

Authored: Lindsey Kurach, Bryden J. Stanley, Krista Gazzola, Michele Fritz, Barbara Steficik, Joe Hauptman, Kristen Seymour

Published: Veterinary Surgery 2015: 44 (8) 988-996

Acute hind limb paralysis secondary to an extradural spinal cord Cryptococcus gattii lesion in a dog

Objective Abstract: A 2-year-old, spayed female, German short-haired pointer was presented with a 1-day history of non-ambulatory paraplegia with absent deep pain perception. A computed tomography scan revealed an irregular eighth thoracic vertebral body and an extradural compressive lesion. Decompression was performed and abnormal tissues were submitted for analysis. Findings were consistent with a Cryptococcus gattii infection.

Authored: Lindsey Kurach, Chris Wojnarowicz, Tom Wilkinson, Colin Sereda

Published: Canadian Veterinary Journal 2013: 54 (5) 463 - 466

Microvascular Free Tissue Transfer of the Trapezius Flap in 20 Dogs and a Wallaby

Objective: To determine the feasibility, complications, and clinical outcome of consecutive free trapezius flap transfers in 20 dogs and a wallaby.

Authored: Lindsey Kurach, Mark Smith, J. Dave Fowler

Published: Vet Surg 2013: 42 (2) 170-175.

Surgery

What does it mean to be a Board Certified Veterinary Surgeon?

A small animal veterinary surgeon is a specialist in veterinary surgery who, after graduation from veterinary school, has completed advanced training in order to become board certified. This training in surgery consists of at least a 1-year internship and a 3-year residency program that meets the exacting standards set by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). The ACVS has set criteria for specific training and caseload requirements in a variety of surgical procedures. Additionally, residents must participate in research that is published in a scientific journal and must pass a rigorous examination testing their surgical knowledge and clinical competency. Primary care veterinarians have received surgical training in veterinary school sufficient for routine procedures. Board Certified veterinary surgeons have dedicated their careers to training for advanced surgical procedures. Referral to a board-certified surgeon is recommended for advanced procedures or complicated conditions requiring specialized care and equipment.

Board Certified Veterinary Surgeons have been trained to perform advanced surgical procedures:

Of the Abdominal organs
Of the Gastrointestinal tract
Head and neck procedures
Minimally invasive osteosynthesis for fracture repair
Interlocking nail
Minimally invasive surgery (laparoscopy, arthroscopy, fluoroscopy, and thoracoscopy)
Spinal surgery
Orthopedics
Bone plating
Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)
External Fixation
Angular limb deformity correction
Thoracic surgery
Urogenital surgery
Reconstructive procedures of the skin and wound care.

Their training has prepared them for all phases of the surgical management of our small animal patients.

State-of-the-Art

VCA Canada Guardian Veterinary Centre has four fully-equipped operating rooms that use state-of-the-art monitoring equipment. Advanced diagnostic imaging tests like digital radiography, fluoroscopy, CT or CAT scan and ultrasound help evaluate patients before and after surgery.

What to Expect

Our referral coordinator will contact you to set up an appointment with one of our board certified surgeons. Often, patients are seen at the time of consultation and surgery is planned for the following day. Depending on circumstances, we may be able to perform a consultation and surgery on the same day, or surgery may be briefly delayed to allow for further testing.

Safe anesthesia and appropriate pain management are an important part of every surgical procedure. Our surgical team includes Registered Veterinary Technologists who are trained in specific anesthetic and diagnostic techniques to make every procedure as safe and comfortable as possible.

After any surgical procedure, you will be provided with a detailed set of discharge instructions. Our discharge nurses will review these with you, and we’ll answer any questions you have to help optimize your pet’s recovery. We will also follow up with your veterinarian so that everybody involved in your pet’s care has up-to-date information.

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