Our Surgical Services

What can Acorn Veterinary Centre offer?

Here at Acorn we provide advanced surgical procedures that are often not offered at other surgeries.  We have a state of the art, purpose-built theatre and facilities so that your pet can receive the best possible care.  Nick Whielden MRCVS is our wonderful experienced veterinary surgeon who carries out our advanced surgical procedures both in soft tissue and orthopaedics.  Nick is an Advanced Veterinary Practice certificate holder.  Please see below for some of the procedures that we undertake here at Acorn.

SKIN AND RECONSTRUCTION.

We are able to perform a wide variety of techniques including Axial Pattern skin flaps and skin grafts. These techniques enable us to perform surgery on large tumours that require significant tissue removal and reconstruction. We are also able to stage tumours in order to provide the best treatment options. Tumours on the feet can be very difficult to remove and close the skin. We utilise skin grafts to deal with these cases. Mast cell tumours are a common tumour for us to stage and treat.

SURGERY OF THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

We perform a wide range of surgery on the digestive tract including:-

• Mandibulectomy and Maxillectomy- Dogs are able to cope very well with removal of parts of the lower and upper jaw. Often apparently inoperable tumours of the mouth can be removed allowing the patient a good quality of life after the treatment
• Gastropexy- Large dogs can be prone to bloat. This is a life threatening condition where the stomach fills with air and twists. We perform gastropexy to prevent this condition aften at the time of neutering.
• Y-U Pyloroplasty- The exit of a dogs stomach can rarely close off due to tissue thickening. This is a technique to open the exit up again.
• Colectomy- This is removal of the colon (large intestine). Cats sometimes suffer from a condition called megacolon (where the colon becomes enlarged and faeces build up). This technique treats this problem.
• Rectal Surgery- It is not uncommon for growths or tumours to develop in the rectum. We are able to remove many of these tumours and in many cases provide a cure for the patient.
• Anal gland removal- We sometimes need to remove anal glands in instances where they become infected repeatedly, or a type of tumour develops.

SURGERY OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

• Nasal Planum resection- This is basically removal of the nose in the case a tumour has developed, followed by surgical reconstruction. Often this can cure patients and still afford a good quality of life
• Hard and Soft palate repair- Dogs born with a cleft palate may undergo surgery to correct the problem.
• BOAS (Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome) – Pugs and bulldog type breeds often suffer from airway problems and struggle to breathe properly. We can perform surgery on the soft palate, Nares (nostrils), remove the tonsils and remove flaps of tissue from the voice box (everted laryngeal saccules). These treatments can often relieve the clinical signs associated with BOAS.
• Rib Resection- Part of one or two ribs can be removed in cases where a tumour has appeared. In extensive cases we refer to Oakwood veterinary referrals in Hartford.
  
  UROGENITAL SYSTEM

• Episiotomy- This is a technique performed to gain exposure to the vagina and vestibule, often to remove a tumour
• Episioplasty- Sometimes a dogs vulva (opening to the vagina) is covered by loose skin. This can cause skin and urinary infections. This technique aims to remove the loose skin.
• Phallopexy- Sometimes a dogs penis protrudes from its sheath, swells and can’t be replaced. This is a technique to replace it and prevent this condition from happening again.
• Omentalisation of Prostatic cysts and Abscess. This is a technique used to treat these problems of the prostate.
• Nephrotomy- A technique to gain access to the kidney to remove a stone
• Nephrectomy- Removal of a kidney
• Partial Cystectomy- We can remove up to 60 % of a dogs bladder without significant ongoing problems
• Urethrostomy- This is mainly performed in a male dog and cat. It involves creation of a new opening for urine to leave the body, often in cases where stones have formed and blocked the lower urethra.

ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

• Thyroidectomy- This involves removal of the thyroid gland in cats suffering from hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and dogs with tumours of the thyroid gland.
• Parathyroidectomy- Removal of the parathyroid gland in cases where it may have become enlarged and caused a rise in the calcium level in the blood.

EAR

• Total Pinnectomy- This is a procedure to remove all or some the ear flaps in cases where a tumour has developed. This is especially common in white cats that suffer from sunburn over many years.
• Total Ear Canal Ablation (TECA) and Bulla Osteotomy- This is removal of the ear canal and part of the outside of the bony chamber below the canal (the bulla). This treats cases where ear infections have led to chronic and untreatable changes, and tumours of the ear canal.

EYE

• Pedicle graft- In some cases eye ulcers become very deep and progress quickly. This technique involves creating a tissue graft to stitch over the ulcer and save the eye.
• Prolapse of the Nictitating Membrane Gland (Cherry eye)- The gland flips up and looks like a cherry in the lower eye. This surgery aims to replace the gland in a new position and prevent the condition occurring again.
• Reconstruction of the eye lids- Large tumours or growths can appear on the eye lids and removal can prevent reconstruction of the lids. A flap can be created from the lower lip or skin surrounding the upper eye lid to create and reconstruct a new lid.

ABDOMINAL WALL AND HERNIAS

• Diaphragmatic Hernia- The muscle wall between the chest and abdomen can develop a hernia (hole) following an accident such as being hit by a car. This can be repaired.
• Perineal Hernia- This is more common in un-neutered male dogs and looks like a bulge present to the side of the anus. We use the Internal Obturator Muscle Transposition Technique to surgically repair this hernia. Most cases have a good outcome.
• Inguinal Hernia- This hernia presents as an abnormal swelling in the groin area. These hernias can easily be repaired, often during neutering.

For more information please contact Acorn Veterinary Centre on 0151 625 9916