Advanced Surgery
At Shepton and Wells Vets, we offer a range of advanced soft-tissue and orthopaedic surgical procedures to help treat a wide range of complex conditions.
Martin Law
BVSc BSAVA PGCertSAS MRCVS
“What do you think sets Shepton and Wells Vets apart from competitors?
It’s independence and the team of passionate and dedicated local people that we have make it up. The team generally come from the community and work for the community.”
Our more complex and advanced surgical procedures are performed by vet Martin Law BVSc PGCertSAS MRCVS. Martin has had a long-standing interest in surgery and is a highly experienced surgeon. In 2019 he began his studies towards the post-graduate certificate in small animal surgery, achieving the qualification with distinction in December 2021.
Martin’s experience and further qualification allows us to offer a range of more advanced orthopaedic and soft tissue surgical procedures, many of which would not routinely be available in first opinion practice and so would necessitate referral to another practice further away.
Our team are highly skilled and experienced in managing patients through these more complex procedures and we are proud to be able to offer this level of care for your pet close to home and with familiar faces.
Examples of some of orthopaedic surgeries offered are:
- Cruciate ligament disease surgery – TPLO (tibial plateau levelling osteotomy) by cranial closing wedge; a surgical procedure in which the tibial bone is cut to alter the biomechanics of the joint. This provides the joint with stability when the cruciate ligament has failed.
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Patella luxation surgery – Tibial crest transposition, in which the patella tendon attachment to the tibia is cut, relocated and pinned in place to realign the patella.
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Fracture repair – fracture fixation is achieved through a combination of plate(s) and screws, intramedullary pin, external skeletal fixation or pin and wire systems.
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Hip luxation surgery – hip toggle: relocation of a dislocated hip and securing with the use of a ‘toggle’ running through the femur and hip joint.
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Carpal arthrodesis – surgery to fuse the ‘wrist’ joint. This is performed when significant soft tissue injury has occurred causing the joint to become unstable.
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Femoral head and neck excision – surgery to remove the head of the femur (the ball in the ‘ball and socket’ joint). This is a salvage procedure in cases of fracture or significant disease within the hip joint.
Examples of soft tissue surgeries offered:
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Head and neck surgery
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BOAS (Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Surgery) – widening of nostrils, soft palate shortening and tonsillectomy
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Laryngeal paralysis – laryngeal tieback correction
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Thyroid surgery – management of thyroid tumours
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Parathyroidectomy – removal of the diseased parathyroid gland
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Total ear canal ablation – surgical removal of the diseased ear canal
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Entropian correction – eyelid surgery
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Thoracic surgery
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Lung lobectomy – removal of diseased lung lobes
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Congenital heart defects – puppies retained foetal vessels, ie. Patent Ductus Venosous (PDA) or Persistent Right Aortic Arch (PRAA)
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Diaphragmatic rupture – repair of ruptured diaphragm following trauma
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Abdominal surgery
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Enterectomy/colectomy – removal of a diseased section of small intestine or colon
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Cholecystectomy – surgical removal of the gall bladder
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Nephrectomy – surgical removal of a kidney
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Urogenital and anorectal surgery
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Vasectomy
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Perineal hernia – surgical repair of pelvic floor hernias
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Anal sacculectomy – surgical removal of the anal sacs
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Urethrostomy – creation of a new, permanent urethral opening, usually because of an obstruction in the urethra
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Dermal (skin) surgery
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Complex skin mass (tumour) resection requiring closure with skin flaps
“Had an hour long appointment with a nurse yesterday who painstakingly and carefully de-matted my elderly cat, Bridget.
I am sorry I didn’t take your name to add to this review, but you know who you are!
It was great spending time with you discussing pets and all sorts. Plus Bridget is one happy cat now she is more comfortable.
Once again, Shepton Vets ‘knock it outta the park!’X”
Clover
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Benny’s Triumph Over Trauma at Shepton and Wells Vets
Cases are not always straightforward and whatever attacked this poor cat had done some considerable damage. Benny is back to enjoying himself at home and the hair is beginning to grow back to cover the now historical trauma.
