Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA SURGERY)
Possibly the BEST Surgery for your dog’s Knee

The most common knee injury in a dog is rupture of the Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL), also frequently referred to as the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). This ligament frequently can suffer a partial tear, leading to slight instability of the knee. If this damage goes untreated, it most commonly leads to complete rupture and possibly damage to the medial meniscus of the knee.  The meniscus acts as a cushion in the knee. Untreated legs usually become very arthritic and painful from the instability. Dr. Song has performed both TTA and TPLO. He has performed many referred TTA surgeries over the years. The TTA surgery allows for a more rapid initial recovery than TPLO in most dogs, as it is less invasive, and can have complications. However typically they are not as devastating versus those occasionally seen with the TPLO.

TTA surgery

TTA surgery

Bilateral TTA surgery

Bilateral TTA surgery

Advanced TUMOR & BONE (Fracture) Surgeries

Internal Medicine RelatedSurgeries

Femoral fracture repair

Spiral tibial fracture repair

Complicated elbow fracture repair (above) and radius/ulna fracture repair (below)

Jaw fracture repair

Cryosurgery: to freeze and destroy abnormal tissue e.g., skin tumor or distichia (an eyelash in an abnormal spot)

Prophylactic hip surgery (JPS): surgery to prevent hip dysplasia in any young large breed dog (Click here for more information); JPS is a technique used to influence pubis growth and acetabular position in puppies having early hip dysplasia. Experimental studies by Dueland and Patricelli showed improved hip conformation and decreased chance of developing osteoarthritis following this procedure. The procedure must be performed between 3 and 5 months of age. Early diagnosis of hip laxity is best performed using the PennHIP technique. The pubic symphysis is closed prematurely by application of heat using an electrosurgical probe. Clinical success using this technique has been reported. Dr. Song thought 4th-year-veterinary students at the University Missouri-Columbia Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Conjunctival pedicle grafting in the treatment of corneal ulcers in a cat

3 weeks post-op Conjunctival pedicle grafting in the treatment of corneal ulcers in a cat

Conjunctival pedicle grafting in the treatment of corneal ulcers in a cat  

Advanced On-Site Surgeries                                     

Open Chest PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus) surgery for congenital heart disease done by Dr. Song

Multiple intestinal linear foreign body removal surgery in a cat

A chest tube placement/management with a feeding tube placement/management and IV fluid therapy. 

Gallbladder mucocele is common among middle-aged to older dogs, particularly Shetland sheepdogs, cocker spaniels and miniature schnauzers. This pet was properly treated by removing the gall bladder (cholecystectomy).

Performing echocardiogram with EKG to evaluate a pet with congestive heart failure (CHF).

This hot trend in Pet care is 3,000 years old. Acupuncture works by affecting Qi, or life energy, which flows throughout the body 24 hours per day via a system of invisible pathways. By inserting hair-thin needles into certain prescribed sites along the meridians, Pets can balance the Qi, getting rid of stagnation and removing congestion of blood; therefore, good health can be maintained. Relief after needling is due to the release of natural pain killing brain chemicals called endorphins. Depending upon the nature, severity and duration of diseases, a single treatment may be enough for an “acute” condition. However, a series of 3 to 10 treatments can solve many “chronic” problems. Each session may take 20 to 40 minutes. Oral herbal treatment called “daily acupuncture” with concurrent acupuncture will bring the best outcome for your senior Pets. “Elderly animals benefit most,” says Dr. Song.

Tibetan Terrier with chronic liver disease with eye disease was treated with series of acupuncture therapy. 

Post-op acupuncture therapy for a pet had a knee cap luxation (MPL) surgery. Natural pain management can significantly lower the dose of opioid pain meds.

Cauda Equina syndrome (compression of the nerves in the lower back) was successfully treated with series of acupuncture therapy.

A binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy (BIO) can provide the viewer with a clear wide-field view of the fundus with possible abnormalities associated with tapetal variation, non-tapetal fundus variation, retinal vasculature, optic nerve head, and others. Indirect ophthalmoscopy offers many advantages over direct ophthalmoscopy, but unfortunately commercial indirect ophthalmoscopes are expensive and therefore not widely used.