Schedule a Specialty Surgery Consultation
Your pet deserves exceptional care. Our team is here to support you every step of the way.
Call 859-251-7905 today to schedule an appointment for specialty pet surgery in Greater Cincinnati.
Pet Surgery
Greater Cincinnati
Providing Advanced Soft Tissue, Orthopedic, and Neurologic Procedures for Pets
When your pet requires advanced surgical care, trust and expertise matter. At Greater Cincinnati Vet Specialists, our highly-skilled veterinary surgeons provide comprehensive surgical services for dogs and cats throughout the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area. We’ve been trusted by local veterinarians for advanced surgical options for over 20 years. We offer a full range of soft tissue, orthopedic, and neurologic procedures, along with medical management consultations when surgery is not the best option.
If your primary veterinarian has referred your pet to GCVS for a surgical consultation, call us at 859-251-7905 to book your appointment today. We offer same-week consultations and can schedule your pet for surgery immediately.
Why Choose Our Specialty Surgery Service
- Highly-skilled surgeons with extensive specialty training
- Full spectrum of advanced surgical procedures
- Medical management guidance for non-surgical cases
- Collaborative care with your primary veterinarian
- Dedicated anesthesia and pain-management protocols
- Client-centered communication and support
What to Expect During Your Pet’s Surgical Visit
When your pet needs surgery, understanding the process helps you feel confident and prepared. Here is what you can expect when your pet is referred to GCVS for specialty surgery:
1. Pre-Surgical Consultation
Your visit begins with a thorough evaluation by our board-certified surgeon. This includes:
- Review of your pet’s medical history and diagnostic results
- Physical examination
- Discussion of surgical options, risks, and expected outcomes
- Time for you to ask any questions and feel confident with our recommendations
2. Customized Treatment Plan
Every pet is unique. We create a tailored surgical and anesthesia plan based on:
- Age
- Breed
- Underlying health conditions
- Procedure type
- Pain-management needs
3. Day of Surgery
Your pet is cared for by a dedicated surgical and anesthesia team. During the procedure:
- Continuous monitoring of vital signs, including pre-op and post-op care
- Advanced anesthesia safety protocols and equipment
- Compassionate handling and care to reduce stress and calm anxious pets
4. Post-Operative Care
After surgery, your pet recovers in a quiet, comfortable environment with warm blankets and close monitoring by a member of our care team. Upon discharge, you’ll receive:
- Detailed discharge instructions
- Medication guidance
- Home-care recommendations
- Follow-up schedule
5. Ongoing Support
We remain available for questions, progress updates, and rechecks. Your primary veterinarian also receives a full report to ensure seamless continuity of care.
Common Surgical Procedures Performed at GCVS
Soft Tissue Surgery
Our soft tissue surgery service includes routine, advanced, and emergency procedures.
Abdominal Procedures
- Liver Lobe Resection (Liver Lobectomy)
- Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy)
- Gastric Dilatation–Volvulus (GDV) Surgery
- Foreign Body Removal (Stomach and Intestines)
- Subtotal Colectomy
- Extrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Ligation (PSS)
- Cystotomy and Partial Cystectomy
- Adrenalectomy or Adrenal Biopsy
- Pyometra Surgery
- Cesarean Section (C-section)
Thoracic (Chest) Procedures
- Intercostal Thoracotomy
- Lung Lobe Resection
- Pericardectomy
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Ligation
- Thoracic Duct Ligation
- Persistent Right Aortic Arch (PPDH) Correction
- Additional thoracic procedures as needed
Median Sternotomy
- Exploratory or Biopsy Procedures
- Thymoma Removal
Mass Removal Surgery
- Thyroidectomy
- Parathyroidectomy
- Anal Sac Tumor Removal
- Skin and Soft Tissue Mass Excision
- Bone Tumor Surgery
Soft Tissue Surgery, cont.
Hernia Repairs
- Diaphragmatic Hernia
- Umbilical Hernia
- Inguinal Hernia
- Scrotal Hernia
- Perineal Hernia
Urinary Surgery
- Urethrostomy
- Perineal Urethrostomy
- Scrotal Urethrostomy
- Nephrectomy
Reconstructive Surgery
- Skin Grafts
- Axillary Pattern Flaps
- Mastectomy
- Total Ear Canal Ablation with Lateral Bulla Osteotomy (TECA-BO)
- Ventral Bulla Osteotomy (VBO) for Feline Polyps
Airway Surgery
- Brachycephalic Airway Correction
- Laryngeal Paralysis Surgery
- Permanent Tracheostomy
Amputations
- Forelimb
- Hind Limb
- Digit
Oral Surgery
- Maxillectomy
- Mandibulectomy
- Mucocele Removal
- Partial Glossectomy
Orthopedic Surgery
Our orthopedic services help restore mobility, reduce pain, and improve long-term comfort.
Fracture Repair
- Long Bone Fractures
- Joint Fractures
- Fragment Removal
Stifle (Knee) Surgery
· Standard Cruciate Repair (Lateral Fabellar Suture)
· Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)
· Patellar Luxation Repair
Ligament and Tendon Repair
- Achilles Tendon Repair
- Collateral Ligament Repair
- Arthrodesis (Joint Fusion)
- Carpus (Wrist)
- Tarsus (Hock)
- Atlantoaxial Subluxation Stabilization
Hip Surgery
- Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHO)
- Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO)
- Hip Fracture Repair
Arthroscopy
Minimally invasive joint evaluation and treatment for:
- Shoulder (including OCD)
- Elbow (including FCP and OCD)
- Stifle (including OCD)
Neurologic Surgery
We offer advanced spinal procedures to treat pain, paralysis, and mobility disorders.
Spinal Procedures
- Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
- Cervical (Ventral Slot)
- Thoracolumbar (Hemilaminectomy)
- Lumbosacral Stenosis
- Spinal Fracture Repair and Stabilization
Medical Management Consultations
When surgery is not recommended or not possible, we provide expert medical management guidance for conditions such as:
- Juvenile Bone Diseases (including OCD and Panosteitis)
- Lumbosacral Disease
- Cervical and Thoracolumbar Disc Disease
- Cervical Vertebral Spondylomyelopathy (Wobbler Disease)
- Osteoarthritis (OA)
- Polyarthritis
Meet the Team
Our specialty surgery service is led by highly trained, compassionate surgeons dedicated to providing exceptional patient care and delivering the best outcomes possible.
Dr. Susan Hodge, DVM, DACVS-SA
Veterinary Surgeon
Dr. Susan Hodge spent most of her childhood romping and tumbling amidst the snow and leaves in the Midwest. After several moves as a child, the family settled in Columbus, Ohio. She is a graduate of the Linworth Experiential Program in Worthington, Ohio, where she graduated as a Valedictorian. She left her home in Ohio to brave the cold in the Twin Cities of Minnesota due to a scholarship in gymnastics to pursue her undergraduate studies. During a successful collegiate athletic career, she completed a degree in Science in Agriculture with an Animal Science emphasis through the College of Agriculture at The University of Minnesota. Her passion for animals only grew during this education which drew her back to Columbus, Ohio to pursue a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University.
After completion of her DVM at Ohio State, she stayed in Columbus and worked as a general practitioner for 3 years. Realizing her passion for surgery, she left the comforts of home and spent time in Michigan and Indiana in pursuit of a surgical residency. Upon completion of her surgical residency at Michigan Veterinary Specialists in Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Hodge returned to Ohio and has spent the last 14 years in Cincinnati. Although it took a couple of years for her to find Greater Cincinnati Veterinary Specialists, she has been here for nearly 12 years.
Dr. Hodge has a knack for connecting well with her patients and clients. She strives to give both the pets and their owners the best possible experience. She feels that educating owners about their pet’s condition will provide them with the best means to care for them after surgery. Dr. Hodge feels that it is most rewarding to see just how much better our pets can live when they are not in pain and can return to as normal a life as possible. Although there has not been much time for outside activities, she enjoys reading, hiking, and watching movies with her husband.
Dr. Benedek, DVM
Veterinary Surgeon
