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About VSC

ABOUT VSC OF SARASOTA

VSC was established in 2016 as a specialty surgery practice with the goal of improving the level of veterinary medicine in the greater Sarasota-Bradenton region. Our practice is client-centered: you are the decision-maker for your pet’s care, thus we strive to give you all the information you need in order to make the best decision for your pet. The thought of a pet undergoing surgery is a scary thing for most owners. Our goal is to keep you informed and remove as much of the fear as possible. Your surgeon will fully discuss your pet’s case during the consultation and offer the best course of action for your pet (whether it is surgery or not). They will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision. Often times, surgery may not be the best choice for your pet; you will never feel pressured into making a decision to pursue surgery at VSC.

VSC is the only specialty hospital in Manatee and Sarasota counties with a Physical Rehabilitation Service. Our rehab team is here to help your pet’s recovery from surgery, improve their physical condition, help slow the process of a degenerative disease, or help build additional strength.

VSC has an on-site CT scanner, the only such unit for veterinary patients in Manatee County. VSC also offers fluoroscopy (a full-motion x-ray unit) to allow us to provide multiple minimally invasive procedures; we are the only veterinary hospital in the greater Sarasota-Manatee region to offer this option.

At VSC we believe in offering the most modern and current treatment options. VSC offers minimally invasive laser treatment of ectopic ureters, Subcutaneous ureteral bypass (SUB) surgery and 3D angular limb deformity correction, procedures not available in Florida, other than the University of Florida. We are always looking to offer the newest therapies in veterinary medicine.

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VETERINARY SURGEON?

Following veterinary school, a veterinarian who is interested in specializing in surgery will undergo extensive training to become a specialist. He or she must complete one or more internships, a three-year surgery residency, publish research in the scientific journals and pass a rigorous examination to become Board-Certified. Surgery specialists are called a “Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons” or referred to as a “Board-Certified Surgeon”. Unfortunately, the terminology can be confusing to a pet owner as any veterinarian can perform surgery. For a veterinarian to advertise as a “surgeon” they must be certified by the ACVS.

With advancements in veterinary surgery, in both small animals (i.e., dogs and cats) and large animals (i.e., horses and production animals), the American College of Veterinary Surgeons separated small and large animal residencies. Small animal surgery residents focus their training and skills exclusively on surgical diseases of small animals while large animal residents train on horses and farm animals. Small animal surgeons are distinguished by additional acronym (ACVS-SA) than those who trained in large animal surgery (ACVS-LA). Following the economic recession in 2008 many Large Animal surgeons began to switch to small animal surgery. It is therefore particularly important for a pet owner to be informed that their surgeon has extensive training in small animal surgery. At Veterinary Surgery Center of Sarasota, all of our veterinary surgeons received their training in small animal surgery.

WHY CHOOSE A BOARD-CERTIFIED SURGEON

In addition to a Board-Certified Surgeon’s specialized training, surgeons have access to state-of-the-art facilities, advanced equipment and offer a higher level of expertise in surgical diseases, helping to ensure the best possible outcome for your pet. Similar to human surgical centers, veterinary surgeons typically employ veterinary technicians with additional training in areas such as anesthesia monitoring and pre and post-operative surgical care. By seeing the most challenging and complex cases on a day to day basis, surgeons can provide pet owners with many options (some of which may not be available from your primary veterinarian) and help you determine the best treatment for your pet.

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YOUR PET’S VETERINARY CARE TEAM

Consulting with a specialist does not mean you will no longer be working with your primary veterinarian. The primary veterinarian that you see regularly focuses on the day-to-day needs of your pet(s), and for some complex surgical cases, your vet may refer you to a surgeon. Board Certified Surgeons collaborate with your primary vet and work closely with you and your vet before and after surgery. This team approach ensures continuity of care for your pet.

Due to the high level of specialization, a surgeon relies on your primary veterinary practitioner for many aspects of the recovery and treatment. Following surgery and the post-operative recovery, your primary veterinarian will take over care for your pet.

Additional information about veterinary specialties and the American Board of Veterinary Surgeons can be found at the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, American Board of Veterinary Specialties, or VetSpecialists.com.