Interventional procedures are a minimally invasive way to treat narrowed or blocked vessels, airways and the urethra using stents and catheters. We assess the location and extent of the lesion with CT and other imaging, then place tracheal, urethral or vascular stents as needed.

Our General Surgery service focuses on urinary, hepatobiliary and gastrointestinal disease. For bladder stones, ureteral obstruction, portosystemic shunt (PSS) and gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), the plan has to consider the whole patient and their organ function — not just the lesion. Through multidisciplinary care, we perform cystoscopy, multipurpose endoscopy, SUB and PSS surgery and other complex and minimally invasive procedures.

Nasal, urethral, bladder & airway endoscopy (minimally invasive)

A multipurpose endoscope lets us diagnose and treat in one procedure, with less pain and a smaller incision.

Cystoscopic holmium laser stone removal

Bladder stones are removed with a cystoscope inserted through a 0.5–1 cm incision and a holmium laser. The small incision and limited damage to the bladder lining help reduce pain and support a quick recovery.

Subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) for cats

When a ureteral obstruction threatens kidney function, SUB creates a new drainage channel from the kidney to the bladder to preserve the kidney. We use the SUB 3.0 system.

Portosystemic shunt (PSS)

A congenital vascular anomaly that compromises liver function, treated after CT-based diagnosis and surgical planning.

The right operation for a tumor depends on where it is, what kind it is and how aggressive it is. Before surgery we use CT and detailed testing to assess the tumor's extent and any invasion of surrounding tissue, and plan the resection margin for that tumor type. Through multidisciplinary care with Internal Medicine and S Animal Cancer Center, the plan can include chemotherapy and radiation therapy after surgery.

We perform surgery and interventional procedures for chest disease: lung tumors, lung lobe torsion, pneumothorax, mediastinal tumors, tracheal collapse and vascular stenosis. CT and other imaging assess the lesion before surgery, and veterinarians trained in surgery and anesthesia work together on treatment matched to the patient's condition, from minimally invasive tracheal and vascular stenting to complex operations such as lung lobectomy.

• Lung lobectomy
• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
• Chylothorax (thoracic duct ligation)

Lung lobectomy

Part or all of a lung lobe is removed for severe lung trauma, lung tumors, lobe torsion or lung abscess.

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)

A congenital vascular defect in which a fetal vessel between the aorta and pulmonary artery fails to close, overloading the heart. The shunt diverts blood from the systemic circulation and can lead to left-sided or congestive heart failure; affected animals may avoid exercise or show cyanosis.

Chylothorax (thoracic duct ligation)

Caused by trauma, infection or tumors — or sometimes with no identifiable cause. Fluid collects in the chest around the lungs, making breathing rapid or labored.