NorthStar VETS Cool Case Rudy


The team at NorthStar VETS is doing innovative and amazing things every day as they work to advance the level of care available to your pet. This is a new series of posts to be shared highlighting cool cases at NorthStar VETS and the types of things done to save pets and improve their quality of life. These are cases using innovative and cutting-edge medical techniques, and/or stories of pets beating the odds. Watch the doctor tell you the story in their own words via the video below. This is the story of Rudy, a patient of Veterinary Dentist and Oral Surgeon, Dr. John Lewis, and how a relatively new technique helped this dog overcome a partially diseased jawbone.

Learn more about the Dentistry and Oral Surgery service at NorthStar VETS



John Lewis, VMD, FAVD, DAVDCJohn Lewis, VMD, FAVD, DAVDC
Dr. Lewis graduated from University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1997 and spent five years in general practice prior to returning for a residency in dentistry and oral surgery. He became a Fellow of the Academy of Veterinary Dentistry (AVD) in 2004 and a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) in 2005.

At the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Lewis has served as Associate Professor of Dentistry and Oral Surgery, associate director of the Mari Lowe Center for Comparative Oncology, and more recently, as Chief of Surgery. His research interests include oral surgical oncology, maxillofacial fracture repair, maxillofacial reconstruction, new therapies for treatment of feline oral squamous cell carcinoma, and lasers in oral surgery and dentistry.

Dr. Lewis is a past president of the American Veterinary Dental Society, and has served as examination chair of the AVDC and credentials chair of the AVD. Prior to joining NorthStar VETS full time in October 2013, Dr. Lewis was the residency director of the world’s first academic residency in veterinary dentistry and oral surgery at The University of Pennsylvania.

Dr. Lewis received the AVDC Outstanding Candidate award in 2004, the Hills AVDS Education and Research Award in 2012 and the AVD Fellow of the Year award in 2013.

Dr. Lewis is the proud father of five boys, two dogs, and two cats, all of whom keep him busy outside of work.


The information presented on this web site is not intended to take the place of your family veterinarian’s advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Discuss this information with your own veterinarian to determine what is right for your pet. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. We can not and do not give you medical advice via this blog. The information contained in this online site and emails is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad understanding and knowledge. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or advice of your veterinarian. We do not recommend the self-management of your pet’s health problems.

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2 Responses to NorthStar VETS Cool Case Rudy

  1. Pingback: Mandibular Tumor Resection and Cortical Allograft | Veterinary Transplant Services, Inc

  2. Helen Gemignani says:

    Dearest Dr. Lewis,
    My dog also was diagnosed with a fibrous carcinoma but instead of your procedure I opted for cryosurgery with Dr. Marty Goldstein. Scooby would have had to be euthanized mid October as the tumor was taking over his mouth. He is fine and his jaw grew back. Even Dr. Marty is amazed.
    I’m writing to you because I love the critical care my pets have received at North Star and hope you will reach out to Dr. Marty to discuss how you can achieve the same results without removing our beloved pets jaws. Just email me if you would like to see Scooby’s pics post op of his mouth and his videos running and eating. Be well and my best to you and North Star,
    Helen Gemignani

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