SURGERY
The Michigan Veterinary Specialists team of board-certified surgeons,
surgical technicians and assistants are dedicated to helping when
you and your pet are in need of the skilled hands of an experienced,
knowledgeable surgeon.
No longer rare, surgeons are an integral part of the veterinary
medical community routinely advising and consulting with family
veterinarians. Everyday, the Michigan Veterinary Specialists team
of surgeons utilizes their knowledge and experience to change
the lives of families and their pets. Thanks to advancements in
technology and the cumulative experience of our surgeons, surgeries
such as TPLO, hip replacements, kidney transplantation in cats,
reconstruction of wounds and the alleviation of urinary dysfunction
are routine procedures.
The Michigan Veterinary Specialists team is also highly experienced
in monitoring the comfort level of your pet and ensuring the most
pain-free experience possible. When you choose Michigan Veterinary
Specialists, you are selecting the very best specialty care hospital
in the area. Our team of board-certified specialists, doctors
and technicians routinely collaborate with each other and your
referring veterinarian, to ensure that your pet receives the most
compassionate, comprehensive care possible.
To become board-certified in surgery, the veterinarian must be
devoted and committed to a life of learning and hard work. Their
training extends beyond the doctor of veterinary medicine degree.
First, after completion of the four-year veterinary degree, candidates
must complete a one-year internship in small animal medicine and
surgery, then apply for a residency which will involve an additional
three years of intense training in surgery. With successful passage
of a grueling three-day examination given by the American College
of Veterinary Surgeons, the candidate becomes a Diplomate of the
American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
SURGERY SERVICES
- Diagnostic x-rays
- fluoroscopy (real-time x-rays)
- myelograms
- CT scans
- PennHipp x-rays
- joint taps
- arthroscopy (scoping of joints).
- Neurosurgery: Spinal surgery (disc problems), brain surgery, biopsies and other procedures.
- Arthroscopy: Joint problem diagnosis and treatment and other procedures.
- Oncologic surgery: limb sparing procedures, biopsies, tumor removal or reduction and other procedures.
- Orthopedics: Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) for cruciate rupture, total hip replacement, fracture repair, triple pelvic osteotomy, circular fixation and other procedures
- Soft tissue surgery: Liver and gall bladder surgery, portosystemic shunts, bowel resections, urinary surgery, spleen removal and other procedures.
- Microsurgery: Kidney transplantation in cats, microvascular free tissue transfer, replantation of limbs and other procedures.
- Plastic surgery: Wound reconstruction, scar revision, anti-drool surgery, skin surgery (nasal, forehead and vulvar folds) and other procedures.
- Respiratory surgery: Laryngeal surgery, tracheal surgery, Bull dog respiratory surgery, chest surgery, lung lobe removal, chest wall resections for tumors and other procedures.
- Cardiac surgery: Heart surgery for congenital defects, pacemaker placement, and other procedures.
CLIENT EDUCATION ARTICLES
|
SURGEONS
Dr. Joel Alsup |
|
- DVM, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary
Surgeons (Board Certified in Surgery)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: Ohio State University
- Internship: West Los Angeles Veterinary Medical Group
- Residency: University of Illinois
- Areas of Interest: Soft tissue surgery including oncologic
surgery and upper airway surgery, orthopedic surgery
|
Dr. Kyle K. Kerstetter |
|
- DVM, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary
Surgeons (Board Certified in Surgery)
- Ashland University, B.S.
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: Ohio State University
- Internship: Michigan State University
- Residency: Small Animal Surgery, The University of Tennessee
- Areas of Interest: Fracture healing and repair, joint
surgery, hip and elbow replacement, knee injuries and
TPLO, sports medicine and surgery, gastrointestinal surgery,
and neurosurgery
|
| With a suggestion from a high
school biology teacher and an avid curiosity in the workings
of biological systems, it seems only natural that Dr. Kerstetter
became a veterinary surgeon. Born and raised in Ohio, Dr.
Kerstetter now shares his Michigan home with his wife, three
children, two dogs--Remington and Benelli--and Fitch the
cat. He enjoys retriever training, hunting and writing in
his spare time. |
Dr. Daniel A. Degner |
|
- DVM, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary
Surgeons (Board Certified in Surgery)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: University of
Saskatchewan
- Internship: Colorado State University
- Residency: Michigan State University
- Areas of Interest: Soft tissue surgery including free
tissue transfer, reconstructive plastic surgery, liver
surgery, feline kidney transplantation, and orthopedic
surgery
|
| After graduating from veterinary
school, Dr. Degner practiced in a general small animal veterinary
office in Edmonton, Alberta. Loving surgery, Dr. Degner
decided to pursue his advanced education. Raised on a dairy
farm, Dr. Degner has filled his home with animals including
Benji, the rescued Yorkie-poo; Duncan, a rescued Toy Poodle;
Mia, a Devon Rex; Gabby, a Torti; a calico cat named Sadie
and many exotic tropical fish. When he's not working, Dr.
Degner enjoys spending time with his family, playing the
piano and saxophone, and fishing. |
Dr. Jennifer Covey |
|
- DVM
- Resident in Surgery
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: Colorado State
University
- Internship: VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital
- Residency: Michigan Veterinary Specialists, Surgery
- Areas of Interest: Soft tissue and orthopedic surgery
|
A former Peace Corps volunteer, Dr. Covey always
had an interest in medicine. It wasn’t until her assignment
in the West Indies that she became more directed towards veterinary
medicine. A native Arizonian, Dr. Covey enjoys golfing, hiking,
camping, reading, traveling and spending time with her two
canine kids, Lucy and Theo.
|
Dr. Susan Hodge |
|
- B.S., DVM, Practice limited to Surgery
- University of Minnesota, B.S.
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: The Ohio State
University
- Internship: Veterinary Specialist Center of Indiana
& Michigan Veterinary Specialists
|
Dr. Hodge first explored veterinary medicine
in high school by shadowing her local vet who cared for her
pets. She viewed a surgery and spent the rest of the day learning
what is “all in a day’s work” as a veterinarian.
Her passion bloomed from that point forward. In addition to
her veterinary education and hands-on experience, Dr. Hodge
has also volunteered at the Humane Society, and Wildlife Rehabilitation
& Release Center in Minnesota. A scary movie fan, Dr.
Hodge resides in Farmington Hills and enjoys hiking and waterskiing
in her free time.
|
Dr. DJ Krahwinkel |
|
- DVM, MS, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary
Surgeons, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary
Anesthesiologists, Diplomate of the American College of
Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (Board Certified
in Surgery, Anesthesiology, and Emergency and Critical
Care)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree: Auburn University
- Michigan State University, M.S.
- Internship: Hillcrest Hospital for Animals
- Residency: US Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine
- Areas of Interest: Soft tissue surgery with specific
interest in cardiovascular and reconstructive surgical
diseases, traumatology and critical care
|
| Dr. Krahwinkel's desire to be
a veterinarian began as a child growing up on a farm in
Kentucky where cattle, pigs and horses were raised. Initially
he wanted to be a large animal veterinarian, but his career
was re-directed into a surgical specialty by the military.
He now works and teaches at the University of Tennessee
and is a consultant for Michigan Veterinary Specialists.
He still enjoys the outdoors including canoeing, hiking
and fishing and spends most of his time with his wife, grandkids,
his dog Jake and his two cats--Tigger and Pooh. |
| |
|
