Companion Animal Soft Tissue Surgery

Our Services

The Soft Tissue Surgery Service at the Ohio State Veterinary Teaching Hospital provides general surgical care for companion animals. The unit offers specialized surgical management of skin and organ diseases (orthopedic and neurological diseases are managed by other services), In addition, specialists primarily manage and supervise elective surgical procedures performed by senior students, interns, and residents.

Service Highlights

• Board certified specialists in soft tissue surgery
• Special urological surgery
• Oncologic (cancer) surgery
• Laparoscopic surgery
• Thorascopic surgery
• Laser surgery
• Cardiothoracic surgery
• Reconstructive surgery
• Endocrine surgery
• Ear, nose, and throat surgery

Appointments & Office Hours

• Office hours: 8am – 5pm Monday - Friday
• Patient visits by appointment only.
• For an appointment: (614) 292-3551
• After hour emergencies: (614) 292-3551

What to Expect

One of our senior veterinary students will take a complete patient history, and give your pet an initial thorough physical examination under the supervision of a board certified surgeon and resident. You will be asked to return to the lobby during the physical examination and while your pet’s management plan is being discussed with the student. Please understand that this is a teaching hospital and it takes generally 30 minutes to thoroughly discuss your pets surgical care. Once this plan is designed, the surgical specialist or resident will speak with you about the diagnostic plan, and surgical treatment options. Please allow 1-2 hours for the intial examination if your pet is a new patient to our hospital.

Special Equipment & Technology

• CO2 laser
• Laparoscopic and thorascopic equipment
• Intraoperative imaging studies
• Operating microscope
• CT scan
• High resolution ultrasound
• Rhinoscopy, urethroscopy

Clinicians

• Stephen Birchard, DVM, Diplomate-ACVS, Associate Professor
• Mary A. McLoughlin, DVM, MS, Diplomate–ACVS, Associate Professor
• Laura Nelson, DVM, MS, Clinical Instructor, House Staff

Residents

• Rebecca Ball, DVM
• Mary Bergh, DVM
• Colby Burns, DVM
• Kathryn Fitzwater, DVM
• Blake Hildreth, DVM
• Daniel Hoffman, DVM