The Companion Animal Surgical Service at the Ontario Veterinary College offers neurosurgery, abdominal and thoracic surgery, cardiovascular and oncologic surgery, and reconstructive surgery. The Surgical Service also offers specialized techniques such as minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, laser procedures and hip replacements. To learn more about the Companion Animal Surgical Service at the OVC, please click here.
NEW STUDY – Understanding spinal muscle function in dogs with intervertebral disc disorders
Complete Title: Canine paraspinal muscle biomechanical and physiological properties related to intervertebral disc disorders
Study Investigator: Drs Francesca Samarani and Stephen Brown
Spinal degeneration is a common source of pain, disability, and ultimately surgery, in dogs and humans. Degeneration and dysfunction of the spinal muscles is associated with spinal degeneration, again in both human and many animal species. It is thought that this muscle degeneration may play an important role in the pain and disability process. Therefore, these muscles are a prime target for patient rehabilitation strategies. In human and dogs, we do not know the exact degenerative characteristics or how these muscle changes directly impact function. The team is working closely with human clinicians and recruiting both humans and dogs into this comparative study!
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of acute disk herniation and/or intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) undergoing MRI and standard of care surgery
More Information on This Study Coming Soon!
NEW STUDY – Evaluating the Use of Fluorescent Dyes in Dogs Undergoing Liver Mass Removal Surgery
Complete Title: Evaluating the Use of Fluorescent Dyes in Dogs Undergoing Liver Mass Removal Surgery
Dogs are prone to developing liver cancer. In humans, fluorescent dyes are used to identify liver tumours and determine appropriate tissue margins for complete surgical removal. This same technique may be used in dogs with liver tumours and as it does in people, the fluorescence imaging may guide surgeons in determining the required margins to remove the entire tumour.
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs undergoing an open (laparotomy) abdominal surgery at OVC-HSC
- Dogs diagnosed with primary liver neoplasia or abdominal neoplastic lesions that commonly metastasize to the liver by time of diagnosis e.g. splenic HSA.
- Cancer diagnosis will be suspected based on recent (<14 days) abdominal ultrasound or abdominal CT scan at OVC-HSC
More information coming soon!
NEW STUDY – Evaluating the Use of Magnesium to Control Pain and Inflammation Following Spinal Surgery in Dogs
Complete Title: Investigation of the role of systemic intravenous intraoperative magnesium sulphate as anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug in dogs undergoing spinal decompression surgery for acute thoracolumbar disc herniation
Not only is magnesium an important ion in the body but it also has anti-inflammatory properties, is inexpensive, very easy to administer, it is not a controlled drug or addictive, and side effects are extremely rare. By evaluating the use of magnesium in combination with standard of care opioids, we can evaluate its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of acute intervertebral disc herniation and interested in pursuing surgery
NEW STUDY – Exploring a Novel Nanoparticle Combined with Light Therapy to Treat Oral Tumours in Dogs
Complete Title: Exploration of Nanoparticle-Enabled Image Guided Photoablation in Veterinary Patients
PORPHYSOME-enabled therapies can have an immediate impact on cancer management providing better patient outcomes. This study will evaluate the potential applications of the novel nanomedicine (PORPHYSOMES) and PDT in veterinary clinical patients with oral tumours.
This project is part of the Veterinary Medical Innovation Platform aligned with Dr Michelle Oblak’s research chair with OVC and Animal Health Partners!
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs ≤ 60kg, with a confirmed oral tumour (any type) and interested in pursuing CT and surgery will be eligible for this study
- There will be two arms: PDT + surgery and monotherapy; these will be explained by the clinical trials team at enrollment
NEW STUDY – Treatment of Elbow Dysplasia in Dogs with Canine Stem Cells
Complete Title: Treatment of Elbow Dysplasia Patients with Canine Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Joint inflammation and associated disease are a common diagnosis in dogs, and it has been suggested that 20 percent of dogs over one year of age suffer from osteoarthritis (OA). Canine elbow dysplasia (ED) is a major problem in large to giant breed dogs and is often associated with OA later in life. There are limited treatments, medical management (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAID)) +/- surgery, which may not be well tolerated by all dogs. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, which may be utilized as treatment of immune and inflammatory disorders in dogs with a lower reliance on owner compliance and a higher safety profile than NSAIDs.
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs that have a confirmed diagnosis of bilateral elbow dysplasia and are otherwise healthy
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!
Exploring a Novel Diagnostic and Treatment Technique in Combination With Surgery for Thyroid Tumours in Dogs
Complete Title: Exploration of Nanoparticle-Enabled Image Guided Photoablation in Veterinary Patients
PORPHYSOME-enabled therapies can have an immediate impact on cancer management providing better patient outcomes. This study will evaluate the potential applications of the novel nanomedicine (PORPHYSOMES) and PDT in veterinary clinical patients with thyroid tumours.
This project is part of the Veterinary Medical Innovation Platform aligned with Dr Michelle Oblak’s research chair with OVC and Animal Health Partners!
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs with a confirmed freely moveable thyroid tumour interested in pursuing surgery are eligible
ON HOLD – Evaluation of a Fluorescent dye in Dogs with Hepatobiliary Disease Undergoing Gallbladder Removal Surgery
Complete Title: Evaluation of Indocyanine Green (ICG) Cholangiography in Dogs with Hepatobiliary Disease Undergoing Cholecystectomy
This study aims to determine the clinical usefulness of a safe fluorescent dye (indocyanine green, ICG) in canine patients with hepatobiliary disease scheduled to undergo gall bladder removal surgery by assessing whether it improves visualization of the biliary tree during surgery.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Any dog undergoing routine gall bladder removal surgery (open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy) during normal operating hours at the OVC
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!
Evaluating the Use of Fluorescence Dyes in Surgery to Identify Canine Pancreatic Cancer and Metastasis
Complete Title: Pilot Evaluation of Near Infrared Fluorescence Imaging for Intraoperative Identification of Canine Insulinoma and Their Metastasis
Near-infrared fluorescence imaging (NIRF) using Indocyanine Green (ICG), a fluorescent dye, has been previously used in a number of veterinary applications (many in clinical trials at OVC). The use of NIRF for pancreatic mass resection in dogs has not yet been described but holds excellent potential for improving patient outcomes.
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs that are diagnosed with a pancreatic mass and scheduled for exploratory laparotomy
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!
The Use of Fluorescent Dyes to Evaluate Sentinel Lymph Nodes During Surgery for Dogs with Lung Tumours
Complete Title: Evaluation of Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Dogs with Lung Tumours using CT Lymphography and Intraoperative Indocyanine Green
By developing new protocols, we can ensure accurate evaluation of the most important lymph node(s) to make better follow-up and treatment recommendations. This will help to improve patient treatments and outcomes for dogs diagnosed with lung tumours, as well as dogs and cats with other solid tumour types in the future. The team is working closely with human surgeons on this translational project.
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs with a single lung tumour (less than 5cm) interested in pursuing CT scan and surgery
Comparison of Two Surgical Techniques and Long Term Outcomes to Alleviate Congenital Constriction in Dogs
Complete Title: Prospective, Long-Term Evaluation of Esophageal Function and Clinical Outcome Following Surgical Treatment of Vascular Ring Anomalies (VRA) in Dogs
Vascular ring anomalies (VRA) are a result of
developmental abnormalities during fetal growth. Early surgical treatment of VRA is recommended to alleviate
the clinical signs and prevent long-term abnormalities
to the neuromuscular function of the esophagus. The objective of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcome and esophageal function following surgical treatment of VRA with traditional and minimally invasive techniques.
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of a VRA undergoing CT scan and surgery
Evaluating the Use of Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques for Dogs Presenting with Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Complete Title: Prospective Evaluation of Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery for Identification of Pulmonary Bullae in Dogs with Spontaneous Pneumothorax
Currently in veterinary patients, standard of care surgical treatment for spontaneous pneumothorax involves a thorough exploration of the thoracic cavity through the breastbone. Minimally invasive (MI) thoracic surgery may be an alternative approach given the reduction in postoperative pain associated with this technique. While the MI surgery has its advantages, the accuracy in identifying bubbles on the lungs during this technique has not yet been proven.
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of a spontaneous pneumothorax undergoing traditional open surgery through the breast bone
Analyzing Lymph Node Spread in Dogs Undergoing Surgery for Thyroid Tumours
Complete Title: Evaluation of Regional Lymph Node Metastasis in Canine Thyroid Carcinoma
Thyroid tumours are relatively uncommon in dogs, however about 90% of these tumours are either malignant carcinomas or adenocarcinomas. Using special stains, tissues once surgically removed can be categorized into subtypes: follicular, medullary, compact and mixed. The subtype may affect prognosis including the frequency and pattern of thyroid tumours to spread to lymph nodes.
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of a thyroid tumour undergoing staging and surgery
Comparing the Use of Fluorescent Dyes in Surgery to Previously Reported Methods for Improving Lymph Node Staging in Dogs with Oral Cancer
Complete Title: Evaluation of Agreement Between Computed Tomography Lymphangiography and The Combination of Methylene Blue and Indocyanine Green for Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping in Dogs with Oral Tumours
Development of imaging and intraoperative protocols could help decrease the number of lymph nodes surgically removed, in addition to ensuring accurate evaluation of the most important lymph node(s) for making follow-up treatment recommendations improving patient prognosis and outcomes for dogs diagnosed with oral tumours.
Inclusion criteria:
- Dogs with a diagnosed oral tumour and interested in pursuing CT & Surgery
Comparison of Two Surgical Techniques For The Treatment of Brachycephalic Airway Disease in French Bulldogs
Complete Title: Prospective, Randomized Trial Comparing Two Surgical Techniques For The Treatment of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) in French Bulldogs
Currently in veterinary patients, standard of care surgery for BOAS is a soft palate resection (staphylectomy). Given that some dogs still suffer from breathing difficulties following surgery, modifications that aim to provide a greater opening of the airway have been proposed. One of these procedures is the folded flap palatoplasty however a comparison of these techniques as it relates to clinical outcome has not been performed.
Inclusion criteria:
- French bulldogs <5 years of age, with breathing difficulties as a result of BOAS and are interested in pursuing CT and surgery
Evaluating the Use of Fluorescent Dyes to Assess Blood Flow in Dogs Undergoing Intestinal Resection During Foreign Body Surgery
Complete Title: Use of Fluorescent Dyes for Perfusion Assessment and Surgical Planning for Foreign Body Surgery in Dogs
In human medicine, the use of fluorescent dyes like Indocyanine Green (ICG), have been found to decrease complications in bowel surgery. ICG has not yet been used for intestinal blood flow assessment in pets but might be helpful to reduce complications associated with poor blood flow including poor healing and leakage.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Dogs undergoing intestinal surgery for foreign body removal that require part of their intestines
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!