Advanced Veterinary Surgery

Advanced Veterinary Surgery

We’re here for you and your patient

Animal surgery can range from routine procedures to highly complex interventions, including orthopaedic repairs, tumour removals, and neurological surgeries.

At North Shore Veterinary Specialist Centre (NSVSC), our surgeons bring advanced expertise in soft tissue, orthopaedic, neurologic, and oncological surgery.

We ensure your pet receives exceptional care, even in the most challenging cases. We offer a multi-disciplinary approach with specialist care in anaesthesia, internal medicine and oncology to ensure continuity of care and optimise patient outcomes.

When might my Vet refer me for a Surgical Consult?

Your regular veterinarian may recommend a surgical consultation when your pet has a condition that may benefit from specialist surgical assessment or treatment. Referral for surgical consultation is commonly considered if your pet has:

  • A condition requiring advanced or complex surgery
  • An injury such as a fracture, joint instability, or soft tissue trauma
  • A mass or tumour that requires biopsy or removal
  • Ongoing pain or lameness not responding to medical management
  • A condition where surgery may offer the best outcome or improved quality of life
  • A medical or anatomical issue requiring specialist expertise and equipment

A surgical consultation allows a specialist to assess your pet, review diagnostic results, discuss treatment options, and determine whether surgery is recommended. This ensures decisions are made with a full understanding of risks, benefits, and expected outcomes, always prioritising your pet’s welfare.

Common Soft Tissue Surgical Procedures

Every day, we support patients facing emergencies, injuries, and chronic conditions that require surgical intervention. At NSVSC, we combine clinical excellence with compassionate care to deliver the highest standard of treatment for both you and your pet.

Complex oncologic surgery (tumour resection)

Surgical oncology involves pre-operative staging with advanced imaging to assess tumour size and whether there has been potential spread to other organs. Further diagnostics, such as biopsies are used to guide surgical planning and treatment.

Major wound reconstruction and management

Includes skin reconstruction and grafting for management of complex wounds and tumour resections.

Splenectomy

A splenectomy involves surgical removal of the spleen, commonly performed to treat tumours, bleeding, trauma, torsion, or immune-mediated disease. This procedure helps prevent life-threatening complications, reduce pain, and improve your pet’s overall wellbeing and comfort.

Adrenalectomy

An adrenalectomy involves removing one or both adrenal glands, typically to treat tumours causing hormonal imbalance. This procedure helps restore normal function, relieve symptoms, and prevent serious complications.

Thoracic surgery

  • Lung Lobectomy
  • Patent Ductus Ateriosus (PDA)
  • Vascular Ring Abnormalities
  • Pericardectomy
  • Chylothorax

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgery

Gastrointestinal Surgery

  • Foreign body Removal
  • Tumour Removal
  • Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV)
  • Gastropexy

Hepatobiliary Surgery

  • Liver Biopsies
  • Liver lobectomy
  • Gall Bladder Removal (Cholecystectomy)

Portosystemic shunt attenuation

A portosystemic shunt (PSS) is an abnormal blood vessel that is present at birth or develops later in life. This abnormal vessel allows blood from the intestines to bypass the liver and flow directly into the general circulation. Because the blood does not pass through the liver as it should, the liver cannot properly filter toxins, metabolise nutrients, or support normal growth and function. A PSS can be managed either surgically or medically and this would be discussed with you and likely involve both our Surgery and Internal Medicine Specialists.

Urogenital surgery: bladder stones (uroliths), episioplasties

Urinary stones (uroliths) can result in abnormal urination including increased frequency, straining and blood-tinged urine and may lead to complete obstruction of the urinary tract. Surgical management includes opening the bladder (cystotomy) to retrieve the stones and flushing of the bladder and urethra to ensure all stones are removed.

Ureteral stenting and bypass surgery (SUBS)

The ureter is the tube that transports urine from the kidney to the bladder and can become obstructed. A subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) is a surgical procedure used for management of ureteral obstructions in cats, that bypasses the obstructed ureter using a specialised device.

Laparoscopic ovariectomy (key-hole neutering in female dogs)

Hernia repair

Common Orthopaedic & Neurological Surgical Procedures

Lameness investigation and management

This begins with an in-depth consultation with you and your pet that includes orthopaedic and neurologic assessments. Depending on these findings further investigation might include radiographs (x-rays), ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or MRI.

Cruciate ligament disease management – TPLO

When the cranial cruciate ligament is damaged, the tibia can move forward relative to the femur during weight bearing, causing pain, inflammation, and lameness. TPLO surgery stabilises the knee by changing its biomechanics, removing the need for the ligament. This is achieved by making a curved cut in the tibia, rotating the top segment, and securing it with a plate and screws to restore stability. Read more about TPLO surgery

Patella luxation surgery

When the kneecap intermittently or permanently slips outside of the groove it leads to lameness (skipping), pain and osteoarthritis. Following a comprehensive orthopaedic assessment, surgery aims to correct dislocation of the patella and restore mobility. Read more about medial luxating patella

Musculoskeletal trauma

We have a wide range of orthopaedic implants that can be used to treat fractures and dislocations in pets of all sizes.

Arthroscopic (‘keyhole’) surgery for investigation of joint disease

Arthroscopy uses small cameras to assess joint structures not always visible on standard imaging. It is both diagnostic and therapeutic, commonly used in conditions such as elbow dysplasia and OCD (osteochondritis dissecans).

Neurologic (spinal) surgeries including hemilaminectomies and ventral slots

Intervertebral discs have an important shock-absorbing role between the spinal vertebrae. Intervertebral disease (IVDD) is a degenerative condition in which these discs lose their structure and can prolapse upwards which compresses the spinal cord. After a thorough neurologic examination, depending on the severity of clinical signs, conservative or surgical management might be recommended. Surgical management seeks to relieve the spinal cord compression caused by the prolapsed disc.

Fixed Price Packages

We offer fixed price packages for selected referral surgeries to provide clarity, transparency, and peace of mind during what can be a stressful time for pet owners.

These packages help remove uncertainty around costs, allowing families and referring veterinarians to focus on decision-making, treatment planning, and their pet’s recovery. By bundling common components of care into a single, upfront price, we aim to support informed consent, smoother referral pathways, and a more predictable experience throughout the surgical journey.

Meet the Surgical Team

  • Small Animal Surgical Specialist

    Dr. Craig Bailey

  • Small Animal Surgical Registrar

    Dr Sean Wood

Small Animal Surgical Specialist

Dr. Craig Bailey

Small Animal Surgical Registrar

Dr Sean Wood

FAQs

Our surgical team is equipped to perform and interpret advanced diagnostic assessments, using specialised imaging and intraoperative monitoring to accurately evaluate cases and guide precise surgical intervention.

The surgery team have advanced training, experience and expertise across the surgical fields of orthopaedics (surgery for bones and joints such as fractures and cruciate ligament injuries), soft tissue (conditions involving the chest, gastrointestinal and urinary systems or skin), oncologic (tumour/cancer removal) and neurology ( intervertebral disc disease).

NSVH prides itself on a strong collaborative approach between the different departments whilst still providing a more personal level of care.

Yes. Veterinarians are here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to ensure the highest level of care for intensive monitoring and treatment if required. This includes on-call surgical services afterhours, on weekends and public holidays for surgical emergencies.

Speak to your regular vet to request relevant clinical records, lab results and imaging to be sent so we have the most up to date information. Your vet will be kept up to date with the treatment and plans to ensure continuity of ongoing care.

If there is consideration of pursuing imaging or treatment that requires sedation or surgery, you can skip breakfast to leave options open. However, this will depend on the daily case-load, and another specific procedure day may need to be arranged at the time of the consult.

Your regular vet will receive regular email updates and they are welcome to contact us if they have further questions.

Owners of surgery patients will receive daily phone or text updates (critical care patients more frequently).

The surgery team have advanced training, experience and expertise across the surgical fields of orthopaedics (surgery for bones and joints such as fractures and cruciate ligament injuries), soft tissue (conditions involving the chest, gastrointestinal and urinary systems or skin), oncologic (tumour/cancer removal) and neurology ( intervertebral disc disease).

NSVH prides itself on a strong collaborative approach between the different departments whilst still providing a more personal level of care.

Yes. Veterinarians are here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to ensure the highest level of care for intensive monitoring and treatment if required. This includes on-call surgical services afterhours, on weekends and public holidays for surgical emergencies.

Speak to your regular vet to request relevant clinical records, lab results and imaging to be sent so we have the most up to date information. Your vet will be kept up to date with the treatment and plans to ensure continuity of ongoing care.

If there is consideration of pursuing imaging or treatment that requires sedation or surgery, you can skip breakfast to leave options open. However, this will depend on the daily case-load, and another specific procedure day may need to be arranged at the time of the consult.

Your regular vet will receive regular email updates and they are welcome to contact us if they have further questions.

Owners of surgery patients will receive daily phone or text updates (critical care patients more frequently).

For Pet Parents

How to access our services

Referral cases: ask your regular veterinarian to refer your pet to our team. We’ll arrange the next steps and guide you through the process.

Emergency care: If your pet is unwell or you’re concerned about urgent symptoms, you can come directly to our hospital – no referral required. Our emergency team is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For Referring Vets

Why Refer to Us?

We work as an extension of your team to deliver specialist‑led cardiac care, ensuring patients with known or suspected heart disease receive the highest standard of assessment, monitoring, and management.

We work closely with referring veterinarians to ensure continuity of cardiac care, from initial assessment and diagnosis through treatment, procedures, recovery, and ongoing management.

North Shore Vet clinic entrance Artarmon

Veterinary Specialist & Emergency Centre North Shore

Veterinary Specialist & Emergency Centre North Shore

We take pride in offering the latest medical equipment, often comparable to that found in human hospitals. Our on-site facilities mean we can treat your pet straight away.

As a multidisciplinary veterinary hospital, our Cardiology team works closely with Emergency & Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Anaesthesia to provide coordinated, high-level care.

Located on Sydney’s lower north shore, our 24-hour emergency hospital operates 365 days a year, including public holidays. Experienced veterinarians and dedicated nursing staff are on-site at all times to provide continuous access to urgent and life-saving care when it matters most.