The Dallas Veterinary Surgery Center (DVSC) was initially founded in 1986, principally as a neurosurgical referral practice, with greater than 50% of the total case load being neurosurgical. Throughout the years we have always strived to be on the “cutting-edge” of neurosurgical techniques and diagnostic procedures. Our surgeons have been involved with the development and […]

Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) is a very serious and common disease seen in thousands of dogs every year.   IVDD most frequently affects chondrodystrophic dogs—those characterized by having short legs and long backs, like the Dachshund and Bassett hound for example. However, IV disc herniation can occur in any breed—even in cats. Anatomy and disease process […]

Percutaneous Laser DiscAblation (PLDA) is a minimally invasive preventative procedure for degenerative disc disease in dogs. This procedure was developed by Dr. Kenneth E. Bartels at Oklahoma State University. Over 350 dogs have undergone percutaneous disc ablation since the procedure was clinically introduced in 1993. PLDA is recommended as a preventative procedureto reduce the risk of […]

Dogs have two anal sacs (glands) beneath the skin which are located at the four and eight o’clock positions of the anus. (Figure 1) The anal sac duct opens into the edge of the anus. The anal sacs and ducts are closely associated with the anal sphincter muscle. When the anal sacs are expressed, fluid […]

  Anatomy: Dogs have two anal sacs (glands) beneath the skin which are located at the four and eight o’clock positions of the anus. (Figure 1) The anal sac duct opens into the edge of the anus. The anal sacs and ducts are closely associated with the anal sphincter muscle. When the anal sacs are […]

Arthitis is defined as inflammation of one or more synovial joints, usually accompanied by pain, swelling, and stiffness.  Causes of arthritis are joint instability, trauma, degenerative changes (osteoarthritis), infection (bacterial or fungal arthritis), metabolic disturbances, or immune mediated disease (rheumatoid arthritis). Osteoarthritis caused by joint or ligament injury is most common in dogs and cats. […]

Arthroscopy is for both the diagnosis and treatment of a variety joint diseases.  Arthro- is derived from the greek word for joint while –scope (“skopein”) is a greek word meaning an instrument for viewing. There are multiple advantages of arthroscopy over open arthrotomy with a traditional incision.  Arthroscopy is minimally invasive and allows better visualization of […]

Atlanto-axial (A-A) instability is generally seen in juvenile toy breeds due to congenital malformation or absence of the dens and/or associated ligamentous structures. A-A instability is occasionally seen in other breeds due to trauma. Patients will often present with neck pain, weakness and occasionally paralysis. Surgical stabilization of the A-A articulation is the treatment of […]

The hip is the articulation between the femur (thigh bone) and the pelvis.  It is considered a “ball-and-socket” joint in which the “ball” is the head of the femur and the “socket” is the acetabulum of the pelvis. Coxofemoral luxation occurs when the head of the femur becomes luxated (dislocated) from the acetabulum.  Below is […]

What is a cruciate tear? Canine cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) disease is the most common orthopedic injury seen in dogs.  You may hear veterinarians refer to this injury as an “ACL tear,” which is an adaptation from human orthopedics, but the terms are often used interchangeably.  The CCL is a ligament inside the knee that […]