The VCA Canada Western Veterinary Specialist and Emergency Centre surgical team includes four board-certified veterinary surgeons and a team of highly skilled veterinary technicians and assistants.  Together we deliver advanced surgical procedures, the safest possible anaesthesia, and compassionate care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

What is a board-certified veterinary surgeon?

Your family veterinarian has surgical training, so they are well-qualified for routine procedures. For more advanced surgical procedures or complex conditions requiring specialized care and equipment, your family veterinarian may choose to refer your pet to a board-certified veterinary surgeon.

Board-certified veterinary surgeons are veterinary specialists who have dedicated their careers to training for advanced surgical procedures. This surgical training consists of at least a 1-year internship and a 3-year residency program that meets the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) standards. The ACVS has set criteria for specific training and caseload requirements in a variety of surgical procedures. Additionally, residents must participate in research published in a scientific journal and pass rigorous examinations testing their surgical knowledge and clinical competency. Specialist veterinary surgeons in North America carry the initials DACVS or DACVS-SA after their name. 

The team

All of our surgeons are extensively trained in orthopaedic surgery, soft tissue or general surgery, neurosurgery, surgical oncology and minimally invasive surgery. Our surgical facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including fluoroscopy (real-time x-ray), locking plate technology, laparoscopy/arthroscopy/cystoscopy capabilities, and the latest stapling and vessel sealing instruments to ensure the best patient safety and post-surgical outcomes. Our surgeons work closely with other specialists and your family veterinarian to provide the best recommendations and patient care for your pet. At Western, our highly trained team of anaesthesia technicians, in conjunction with the surgeons, will tailor an anaesthesia and pain management regime unique to every patient's needs.  They also work closely with your family veterinarian to ensure they are making the best recommendations for your pet. 

Our surgery and anesthesia team use multimodal analgesia, meaning that your pet receives a tailored pain relief plan before, during and after their surgical procedure. All of our surgical patients recover in our ICU, under the direct care of specialists in critical care. Your pet will be monitored around the clock by veterinarians and highly trained technicians.

When the surgery team is unavailable to answer your questions and the emergency service is available 24/7 to address any urgent concerns.

Please call 403-770-1340 to find out more about the our surgery service or to schedule an appointment. Please note all surgery appointments are by referral only.

What to expect when your pet is referred to our surgery service:

• An initial consultation with a specialist surgeon regarding your pet’s unique situation. At this appointment, you will meet first with a surgery technician or with a fourth-year veterinary student who will take your pet's vitals and discuss their history. The surgeon will then clarify the details with you, examine your pet, and discuss in-depth their recommendations, including surgical technique, postoperative home care, potential complications, expected outcome and costs. In many cases, your pet will need to be admitted for at least a few hours or the day to complete pre-operative diagnostics (e.g. x-rays, bloodwork, CT scan, ultrasound).
• Once a surgical plan has been made, the procedure can be scheduled. Many cases can have surgery perform as early as the next day if you wish.
• On the day of surgery, we will keep in close contact with you regarding your pet's progress. If general anaesthesia is required, we use the safest anaesthetic agents for your pet to ensure a smooth and pain-free induction and recovery.
• After surgery, patients will recover in our ICU. Many will spend at least one night where he/she will be monitored around the clock by veterinarians and highly trained technicians.
• At the time of discharge, a technician will discuss home care instructions and you will be provided with detailed written postoperative care notes.
• A follow-up visit 10-14 days postoperatively is recommended. This visit is included in the cost of surgery. Where possible, we would like to see our surgical patients back at the hospital to ensure their recovery is progressing as expected. In some cases, follow-up visits are provided by another specialty service, such as internal medicine or oncology.
• For those with a busy schedule, rechecks and bandage changes can be done as a drop off appointment where your pet can board with us for the day.