Animal in surgery
SMALL ANIMAL VETERINARY CARE
Orthopedic & Soft Tissue Surgery
Offering a full range of surgical procedures for dogs and cats.

Orthopedic & Soft Tissue Surgery

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Referral required – Veterinarian referral form

Hospital hours

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday

Our emergency services are available 24 hours a day.

When your pet needs a more complex surgery for cancer or an orthopedic procedure like a total joint replacement, we are committed to providing your animal the best surgical care. We offer a full range of orthopedic and soft tissue surgical procedures for dogs and cats. Our team also provides emergency surgery. 

WSU is also one of the only veterinary hospitals in the United States performing transsphenoidal hypophysectomy, a surgery used in the treatment of pituitary tumors to treat Cushing’s disease in dogs and acromegaly (excessive growth hormone from pituitary gland) in cats. 

Our surgeons, all of whom are board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, work with our surgical residents, licensed veterinary technicians, fourth-year veterinary students, and other hospital specialists to provide the best possible treatment options. The surgical service is also supported by a critical care service staffed around the clock.


Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Our orthopedic specialists focus on conditions related to bones and joints and are skilled in the most advanced techniques and procedures available.

Conditions we commonly treat

  • Sporting, athletic, working, and family dog injuries
  • Stifle (knee) ligaments ruptures in dogs, most commonly the cranial cruciate ligament (CCL)
  • Cat injuries
  • Patella (kneecap) luxation (“trick knee”)
  • Hip, stifle, and elbow dysplasia
  • Joint conditions, such as osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)
  • Complicated bone, joint, and growth plate fractures
  • Angular limb deformities
  • Tendon, muscle, and ligament, injuries including sprains, strains, and ruptures
  • Joint luxations (dislocations), including shoulder, elbow, carpal (wrist), hip, stifle, and tarsal (ankle)

Dr looking at xray
Orthopedic Surgery

Some orthopedic surgical procedures we offer

  • Arthroscopy of joints (minimally invasive surgery)
  • Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) for CCL ruptures
  • Complex fracture repair
  • Corrective bone surgery (osteotomy) using 3-D print planning
  • Joint ligament and tendon repair and reconstruction
  • Biological tendon treatments (platelet-rich plasma injections)
  • Total hip and partial elbow joint replacement
  • Partial or complete joint fusion (arthrodesis)

Soft Tissue Surgery

We specialize in minimally invasive and interventional surgical procedures and are one of only a handful of veterinary hospitals in the country to perform pituitary surgery.   

Soft Tissue Surgery

Some soft tissue surgical procedures we offer

  • Minimally invasive procedures, such as laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, and cystoscopy
  • Interventional procedures, such as intrahepatic shunt coiling, and stenting of trachea, ureter, and urethra
  • Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy (pituitary) surgery to treat Cushing’s disease in dogs and acromegaly (excessive growth hormone from pituitary gland) in cats
  • Oncologic (cancer) tumor removal
  • Ear, nose, and throat surgery
  • Endocrine surgery
  • Gastrointestinal (stomach and intestinal) surgery
  • Urinary tract surgery
  • Reproductive surgery
  • Respiratory surgery
  • Wound repair, grafting, and reconstruction

Hospital Stories


Health Topics

  • Pets and anesthesia Many veterinary procedures require your pet to be put under anesthesia so that it will not feel pain and will remain still. Like any medical procedure, anesthesia does have risks, but most healthy animals, including older pets, don’t have any issues and recover rather quickly. How do I know if anesthesia is safe for my […]
  • Frequently asked questions about excess growth hormone (acromegaly) in a cat Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy (pituitary gland removal) for a pituitary tumor causing excess growth hormone production (acromegaly) in a cat.
  • Frequently asked questions about Cushing’s disease in a dog Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy surgery (pituitary gland removal) for a pituitary tumor causing Cushing’s disease in a dog.
  • WSU veterinarian brings virtual reality to laparoscopic surgery Veterinary surgeons training for laparoscopic surgeries could soon be able to perfect their skills in a virtual reality simulation before ever performing the procedures on live patients.
  • Cancer surgery Can surgery cure my pet of cancer? Cancer is a scary diagnosis for any pet owner, but there are often surgical treatment options that can improve your pet’s quality of life and, in some cases, even eliminate the cancer. Is my pet a candidate for cancer surgery? Whether your pet is a candidate for surgery […]
  • What is Cushing’s Disease? Cushing’s disease can be treated by surgical removal of the affected adrenal gland.

Clinical Studies

Any current clinical studies for this service will be listed below.


Grateful client giving mark

Grateful Client Giving

Honor your pet’s caregiver

“This is a place of miracles.”
-Anne Hensley, veterinary hospital client