Our surgical department consists of a talented group of Veterinarians with more than 70 years of innovative and progressive surgical experience. Dr. Stobie (Chief of Staff), Dr. Weinstein, Dr. Culbert and Dr. Levin are board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dr. Staiger is board-eligible and his certification is expected in 2013. As a group they will provide your pet with unsurpassed specialty care utilizing advanced equipment, expertise and skill.
Outside of offering traditional surgical procedures, Dr. Levin and Dr. Staiger provide minimally invasive procedures enabling a shorter and more comfortable postoperative course. Advanced arthritis treatment with stem-cell therapy and platelet rich plasma is also offered.
Our diagnostic equipment allowing advanced imaging include fluoroscopy, computed tomography and MRI, providing aid in pre-surgical planning and postoperative management. The NorthStar team approach with other services allows improved patient care, enhanced surgical accessibility and shortened treatment wait time. It also allows your pet to receive attention from the best.
To better treat your pet, NorthStar VETS surgeons may consult with our other full-time specialists at the hospital in internal medicine,
oncology,
ophthalmology,
cardiology,
neurology,
dentristy,
physical rehabilitation,
dermatology
and radiology, improving the level of patient care, enhancing surgical accessibility, and most importantly, shortening your treatment wait time!
NorthStar VETS offers a wide array of surgical services, including:
- Orthopedics
- Thoracic/Cardiopulmonary
- Gastrointestinal/Hepatobiliary (Liver & Gall Bladder)
- Oncologic (cancer)
- Neurologic
- Reconstructive surgery
Additionally, we offer minimally invasive surgical approaches like:
- Laparoscopy
- Thoracoscopy
- Arthroscopy
- Fluoroscopy
Surgery still may seem scary, but rest assured that our doctors will go over the procedure step-by-step to give you peace of mind and call you with a progress report. Following surgery, your pet will wake up in a relaxed, heated recovery area providing them with warmth and proper medication to ensure they are comfortable. Our doctors and technicians will monitor your pet's vital signs such as heartbeat, oxygen levels, and blood pressure. And speaking of being comfortable...pain management is our highest priority and we utilize modern techniques, such as:
- Injectable Medications
- Oral Medications
- Transdermal Narcotics
- Nerve and joint blockade/local anesthetics
- Spinal or Epidural administration of analgesics
- Constant rate infusions
At NorthStar VETS, we feel it is crucial to keep your veterinarian involved throughout your pet's hospitalization period and recovery phase. That is why our doctors respect the collegiate relationship with your family veterinarian and work collaboratively to provide the best specialized diagnostics and surgical treatment for your pet.
Our surgical team takes pride in being able to provide these specialized services to critically ill or injured animals 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We know a hospital visit isn't fun and can be stressful, so at NorthStar VETS you can put your mind at ease because we'll lead the way!
Our surgery services include:
Orthopedic Surgery
- Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)
- Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA)
- Femoral Head and Neck Excision (FHO)
- Total Hip Replacement, cementless or cemented (THR)
- Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO)
- Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS)
- Fragmented Medial Coronoid Process (FMCP)
- Osteochondrosis Dissecans (OCD)
- Biceps Tenosynovitis and Shoulder Instability Complex
- Patella Luxations
- Cruciate Ligament Injuries
- Fracture Repair
- Minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO)
- Joint Luxation Repair
- Angular Limb Deformity
- Tendon & Ligament Injuries
- Joint Arthrodesis
- Arthroscopy
- Stem Cell Therapy
- Fluoroscopy
Soft Tissue Surgery
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
- Hepatobiliary Surgery
- Portosystemic Shunt Surgery
- Upper and Lower Respiratory Tract Surgery
- Genitourinary Tract Surgery
- Hernia Repair
- Adrenalectomy
- Total Ear Canal Ablation and Bulla Osteotomy (TECA-BO)
- Splenectomy
- Upper Airway Surgery
- Thyroidectomy and Parathyroidectomy
- Skin Grafts and Flaps
Thoracic Surgery
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)
- Pericardectomy
- Heart Base Mass Resection
- Persistent Right Aortic Arch (PRAA)
- Mediastinal Mass Resection
- Lung Lobectomy
- Thoracic Duct Ligation
Oncologic (Cancer) Surgery
- Reconstructive Surgery
- Mandibulectomy and Maxillectomy
- Limb Amputation
- Limb Sparing
- Vascular Access Port (VAP) Placement for chemotherapy
- Tumor Excision/Debulking Procedures
Neurologic Surgery
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
- Cerebrospinal Fluid Tap (CSF)
- Vertebral Fractures/Luxations
- Spinal Tumor Resection
- Cervical Vertebral Instability
- Lumbosacral Stenosis
- Brain Tumor
- Chiari Malformation
- Atlantoaxial Luxation
Nutritional Support
- Esophagostomy Tube
- Gastric Tube
- Jejunostomy
- Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)
- Partial Parenteral Nutrition (PPN)
