Medical Services - Small Animal - Soft Tissue
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Mission Statement
The University of Illinois Soft Tissue/Oncologic Surgery Service has been created to serve a variety of needs. First and foremost is our commitment to improving the quality of life of our patients as well as improving the survival duration of companion animals who develop cancer. In addition to these important goals, we are dedicated to advancing and offering state-of-the-art surgical procedures and medical management for the diseases that we treat. Investigating the effects of different surgical procedures and medical treatments of cancerous and non-cancerous diseases play a key role in supporting the needs of the companion animal community. Therefore, the global mission of the Soft Tissue/Oncologic Surgery service encompasses three functions: clinical service, education, and research.
Service
The U of I Soft Tissue/Oncologic Surgery Service is an integral part of the U of I Veterinary Cancer Center and also treats non-cancerous diseases of soft tissue organs. We provide state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment facilities for companion animals with and without cancer from all over the Midwest. The members of the Soft Tissue/Oncologic surgery team work closely with the medical oncology service to provide the best total care for all patients with cancer, and with other specialty services in the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, including the Emergency, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, and Dermatology Services, to provide surgical expertise for patients with non-cancerous soft tissue disorders. The Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital provides the most up-to-date diagnostic and treatment facilities, including:
- Diagnostic imaging - radiology, ultrasonography, CT, MRI, and nuclear imaging.
- Pathology - light microscopy, immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy.
- Clinical Pathology - blood chemistry, hematology, and cytologic diagnosis.
- Minimally invasive surgery - diagnostic and surgical procedures within the chest and abdominal cavities using endoscopic equipment.
- Radiation oncology - cobalt and orthovoltage radiation therapy.
- Nursing care - Excellent supportive care supervised by veterinarians and specially trained certified veterinary technicians while animals are hospitalized at the VMTH.
We offer advanced surgical and medical treatment for the management of a variety of soft tissue and oncologic disorders. Our services include, but are not limited to, treatment of:
- Diseases of the thoracic cavity - Congenital and acquired diseases of the heart and pericardium, disorders of the esophagus, lung diseases, diseases of the pleural space, treatment of tumors within the chest cavity, and diseases of the chest wall. Some of the common surgical interventions available include treatment of PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosis), PPDH (Peritoneopericardial Diaphragmatic Hernia) and PRAA (Persistent Right Aortic Arch). We also frequently perform lung lobectomies for various conditions.
- Diseases of the abdominal cavity - Diseases of all intra-abdominal organs including the stomach, small and large intestines, liver, gall bladder, spleen, kidneys, urinary bladder, reproductive tract (uterus and retained testicles), intra-abdominal lymph nodes, and diseases of the abdominal wall. Some of the common surgical interventions available include treatment of GDV ( Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus), Pyometra, Megacolon and common surgical procedures such as Cystotomy, Nephrectomy, Cholecystectomy, Adrenalectomy, Splenectomy.
- Diseases of the head and neck - Upper airway obstruction, laryngeal paralysis, oral tumors, thyroid and neck tumors, parathyroid abnormalities, salivary gland removal, nasal cavity surgery, esophageal disorders, tracheal disorders, several types of ear surgeries, and treatment of nasopharyngeal polyps in cats. Some of the common surgical interventions available include TECA (Total Ear Canal Ablation), VBO (Ventral Bulla Osteotomy), Arytenoid Lateralization, creation of Permanent Trachea, Aural Hematoma repair, Cleft Palate treatment, Maxillectomy, Mandibulectomy, enlargement of Stenotic Nares.
- Plastic and reconstructive surgery - Removal of cutaneous and superficially located masses/tumors with appropriate reconstruction, mastectomy and management of open wounds and anal sac removal. Common treatments for hernia repair abnormalities such as Umbilical Hernia, Inguinal Hernia, Perineal Hernia and diaphragmatic Hernia.
- Limb tumors - Amputation, hemipelvectomy, selective limb sparing options for soft tissue tumors.
- Minimally invasive surgery - Our service is now offering this state-of-the-art, less invasive surgical option in selected cases. Surgery is done through small incisions and endoscopic surgical equipment is used for visualization, diagnosis and treatment of certain diseases within the thoracic and abdominal cavities. Laparoscopic surgical intervention allows us to offer shorter surgical times as well as quicker less painful recovery times in many cases. This option is available for many biopsies, mass removals, spay, cryptorchid castration and elective gastropexy procedures.
- Preventive surgical procedure - We strive to offer routine neutering such as spay (ovariohysterectomy) and castration procedures in such a way to make the process as easy as possible on your pet. We recommend early neutering of your healthy pet because for a longer happier healthy life; dramatically decreasing the risks of unwanted pregnancies, pet overpopulation and cancer.
The U of I Soft Tissue/Oncologic Surgery Service is available for referrals from other veterinarians and specialists year round. We also serve as an information source for pet owners who wish to know more about potential treatment options and prognosis when they receive a diagnosis of a soft tissue disorder or of cancer in their pet. Companion animals come in all shapes and sizes, and we offer advice and treatment for a variety of companion animals including dogs,cats and other small mammals.
Education about Soft Tissue Surgical Disorders and Surgical Oncology
A prime mission of the U of I Soft Tissue/Oncologic Surgery Service is to educate veterinary students, interns, residents, and postdoctoral fellows, through classroom and clinical experiences, about the role of cancerous and non-cancerous soft tissue problems in pets and the potential treatment options that are available. We provide continuing education for referring veterinarians through outreach lectures to update practitioners on current surgical options for diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases and appropriate medical management to be used in conjunction with surgery. Finally, we educate the general public through our work as advocates for the surgical treatment of cancerous and non-cancerous soft tissue disorders in companion animals. Our contacts with the general public come in the form of visits to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, consultation phone calls, and general education lectures.
Soft Tissue and Oncologic Surgical Research
The U of I Soft Tissue/Oncologic Surgery Service provides a wide variety of programs in basic and clinical research. Our main focus is on clinical research, where we investigate different therapies for the treatment of specific oncologic and non-cancerous diseases to try to find the best treatment options for our patients. We share your concern about the quality of your pet's life and much of our clinical research is directed towards finding the best treatments with the least side effects in the rest of the body.
The Future
Veterinary medicine is a field of continued learning. We are constantly equipping and staffing our research laboratories, upgrading our treatment facilities and services, and recruiting new personnel. With continued effort, dedication, and funding, we can continue this important work for the betterment of companion animal health today. More importantly, we will continue to pursue important research endeavors that will ultimately be of benefit to companion animal health tomorrow.