Michigan Veterinary Specialists
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SURGERY

The Michigan Veterinary Specialists team of surgeons, 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 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.

YOUR APPOINTMENT

Read about appointments, including what to expect, procedures, and payment policies.

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. Daniel A. Degner
Dr. Daniel A. Degner
  • Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Board Certified in Surgery)
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree (DVM): 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; Pumpkin and Citronella, both Tortis; and many exotic tropical fish. When he's not working, Dr. Degner enjoys spending time with his family and fishing.

Dr. Kathleen Ham
  • Practice Limited to Surgery
  • Michigan State University, BS
  • University of Illinois, MS
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM): Michigan State University
  • Internship: University of Illinois
  • Residency: University of Illinois
  • Special Interests: Soft tissue surgery including oncologic, hepatobiliary and endocrine surgery, and orthopedic surgery
A native-born Michiganian, Dr. Kathleen Ham is happy to be back in her home state. Having loved science and animals during her youth, the most logical career choice seemed veterinary medicine. Her Royal Oak household, which includes another veterinarian – her husband, is also home to Pokahontas, a Boston Terrier always ready to play fetch and three cats named Stymie, Jose and Monkey.

Dr. Kyle K. Kerstetter
Dr. Kyle K. Kerstetter
  • Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (Board Certified in Surgery)
  • Ashland University, B.S.
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree (DVM): 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 two cats named Mardi Gras and Lagniappe. He enjoys retriever training, hunting and writing in his spare time.

Dr. Susan Hodge
  • Practice Limited to Surgery
  • University of Minnesota, B.S.
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Degree (DVM): The Ohio State University
  • Rotating Internship: Michigan Veterinary Specialists
  • Surgical Internship: Veterinary Specialist Center of Indiana
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. Dr. Hodge began her career at a busy set of practices in the Columbus, Ohio area where she honed her early medical and surgical skills. Work with her own dog and with a large rescue program only intensified her interest in both soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. Dr. Hodge has called many places home, but currently resides in the Detroit metro area. She enjoys outdoor activities like walking, hiking and waterskiing in her free time.

Dr. Jitender Bhandal
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (BVSc & AH): Punjab Agricultural University
  • Internship: Punjab Agricultural University
  • Rotating Internship: University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
  • Surgical Internship: Canada West Veterinary Specialists, Vancouver, Canada
  • Orthopedic Research Fellowship: University of California at Davis, CA
  • Residency: Michigan Veterinary Specialists
  • Special interests: Advanced laparoscopic procedures, minimally invasive surgical techniques, thoracic surgeries, neurosurgeries, and corrective angular limb deformity
Dr. Bhandal recently moved to Auburn Hills with his family from Vancouver, Canada so that he could work jointly with MVS and the University of California at Davis to advance the field of veterinary surgery. His combined interest in science, medicine and fondness for cats since childhood led him to become a veterinarian. His intense love of the surgical aspect of medicine defined his specialty. In his free time, Dr. Bhandal enjoys swimming, soccer, horseback riding, playing chess and listening to classical music with his family which includes his wife, daughter and Gabby, a short-haired kitty.

Dr. DJ Krahwinkel
Dr. DJ Krahwinkel
  • 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 (DVM): 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.
 

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