Surgery
| | William Hoefle, DVM, MS, DACVSSpecial interests – fracture repair, joint injuries, juvenile orthopedic diseases, training residents Board Certified, American College of Veterinary Surgeons Las Vegas Veterinary Referral Center, Founding Partner & Senior Staff Surgeon 2005 – present Professor of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State University Consultant, veterinary practices throughout area Mobile Veterinary Orthopedic Surgical Practice, Las Vegas area, 1984 – present Iowa State University, MS, 1966 Iowa State University, DVM, 1966 Numerous publications, presentations, research projects, and honors Membership in several veterinary and university organizations Past-presidency of Veterinary Orthopedic Society and the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association Multiple presentations for such groups as the American Animal Hospital Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, North American Veterinary Conference, Western Veterinary Conference, Central States Veterinary Conference, Veterinary Orthopedic Society, and the ACVS Surgical Forum |
| | Robert D. Barstad, DVM, MS, Practice Limited to SurgeryDr. Barstad is married and has a son and daughter. He has a Golden Retriever Kealey and a cat Tiger. His activities include family, woodworking, fly- fishing, and mentoring. Las Vegas Veterinary Specialty Center, Founding Partner 2005 – present Texas Academy of Veterinary Practice Clinical Consultation Award, 1997 (Texan who has most helped peers with consultation and patient care) Dallas Veterinary Surgical Center, Owner and Staff Surgeon in all disciplines of surgery, orthopedics, soft tissue, neurosurgery, 1986 – present Surgical Residency and MS, Iowa State University, in Veterinary Clinical Sciences, 1983 Private Practice, Small Animals, Colorado and Wisconsin, 1979 – 1983 Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, DVM, Reiser Award for Proficiency in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, 1978 |
| | David R. Mason, B. Vet. Med, MRCVS, DACVS, DECVS, DACVSMRSpecial interests – arthroscopy, elbow dysplasia, thoracic surgery, porto-systemic shunts Board Certified, American College of Veterinary Surgeons 2006 European College of Veterinary Surgeons 2007 American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation 2014 Staff Surgeon, Las Vegas Veterinary Referral Center, 2005 – present Associate Veterinarian, Mobile Surgical Practice, Las Vegas Veterinary Referral Center, 2005 Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery Clinician, 2005 – present Small Animal Surgical Residency, Iowa State University, 2004 Research Associate, JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory, University of California Davis, 2003 The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, BVM (Honours), 1999 David Mason, B Vet Med (Honours), MRCVS, is a Board Certified Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon specializing in Orthopedic, Neurologic, Oncologic and General Soft Tissue Surgical Procedures. A native of Northern England who grew up on a dairy farm and has been involved with animals his entire life, Dr. Mason earned his veterinary degree with honours from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London in 1999. After graduation he moved across the Atlantic Ocean in order to pursue a Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Internship at Kansas State Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. |
| | Suzanne L. Hunter, DVM, DACVSSpecial Interests: oncologic surgery, wound management, thoracic surgery, urogenital surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, portosystemic shunts. Board Certified, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, 2004 Staff Surgeon, Las Vegas Veterinary Specialty Center, January 2016-present Staff Surgeon, Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, Houston TX, September 2004-December 2015 Staff Surgeon, Oradell Animal Hospital, Paramus, NJ, August 2003-August 2004 Small Animal Surgical Residency, The Ohio State University, 2000-2003 Small Animal Rotating Internship, Oradell Animal Hospital, Oradell, NJ, 1999-2000 Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, DVM, 1995-1999 Cornell University, BS (Biology), 1991-1995 Dr. Hunter has presented at local and national continuing education meetings on various soft tissue topics. She has also written and collaborated on several publications in peer-reviewed journals. She enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons when not working. Their Golden and Labrador Retrievers, one cat, and two horses keep everyone very busy. |
| | Katja Lin DVM, DACVSSpecial interests: Canine sports medicine and rehabilitation, arthroscopy, regenerative medicine, thoracic surgery, trauma and fracture repair Board Certified, American College of Veterinary Surgeons Staff Surgeon, Las Vegas Veterinary Specialty Center, August 2015 to present Staff Surgeon, Valley Oak Veterinary Center, Chico, CA Aug 2012 to 2015 Small Animal Surgical Residency and Orthopedic Fellowship, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 2008-2012 Associate Veterinarian, Minnetonka Animal Hospital, Minnetonka, MN 2007-2008 Small Animal Rotation Internship, , University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN 2006-2007 University of Minnesota, DVM, 2006 Dr Lin has given several presentations at local and national conferences on topics such as non- surgical management of canine cruciate disease and cartilage imaging for the canine elbow. She has published her findings in peer reviewed veterinary journals and abstracts. She is currently serving on the board of the Veterinary Orthopedic Society as their communications officer. When she is not at work, she spends her time with her two dogs, Nema and Tia Rosa and her cat Stanley. She is an avid long distance runner, rock climber and skier. |
| | Joshua Rexing, DVM, Practice Limited to SurgerySpecial interests – fracture repair, gastrointestinal surgery, degenerative disc disease Las Vegas Veterinary Referral Center, 2011 – Present Northeast Indiana Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital, 2008-2011 Small Animal Surgical Residency, Iowa State University, 2005-2008 Small Animal Rotating Internship, University of Illinois, 2004-2005 Small Animal Emergency Clinician and Surgery Intern, Northeast Indiana Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital, 2003-2004 Small Animal Private Practice, Petsburgh Animal Hospital, Lafayette, IN, 2001-2003 Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine, DVM, 1997-2001 Purdue University, BS in Animal Sciences, 1992-1997 |
 | Lauren Sanders, DVMLauren Sanders, DVM, Practice Limited to Surgery Dr. Sanders is originally from Missouri. Her free time is spent outdoors with her two Great Danes, Zoey and Sierra, and riding her Arabian horse April. |
| | Dana Gale, DVM, Surgical ResidentA native of Maryland, Dr. Dana Gale graduated Ohio State vet school. She did an internship at Friendship Hospital in DC and a surgical internship at Gulf Coast Vet Specialist in Texas. |
Shawnon Kaiser, DVMDr. Kaiser originally hails from Sonoma County, part of the beautiful northern California bay area. She received her undergraduate degree from UC Davis, her veterinary didactic training at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine on the Island of St Kitts, and her clinical year at Cornell University. Since receiving her veterinary degree she has completed a small animal rotating internship with the Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group as well as a surgical specialty internship with the Animal Specialty Group of Los Angeles. She is excited to join the LVVSC family this year for a second surgical specialty internship. Her interests include minimally invasive surgical techniques, fracture repair, and orthopedic/joint replacement surgery. At home she has a one year old chocolate lab named Tiki, a coconut retriever named Leeloo, and a very supportive and understanding significant other. If she finds a few spare minutes she enjoys anything outdoor, Disneyland, Star Wars, and helping her boyfriend in his workshop creating costumes and props for Hollywood films and private collectors. |
Mira Patel, DVMDr. Mira Patel is originally from Princeton, New Jersey. After receiving her Bachelor of Animal Science degree from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, she continued her education at Ross University, and completed her clinical year at The Ohio State University. She then completed a rotating internship at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists in Houston, Texas. Her professional interests include fracture repair and joint replacement surgery. Dr. Patel is passionate about the sport of bodybuilding and powerlifting and hopes to one day compete again. |
About Our Practice
Our board certified surgeons use advanced tools and methods to perform surgical procedures not available in most veterinary clinics. Our excellent pain management therapies offer relief to both pets and their owners, before and after surgery.
Our surgical specialists provide consultations for many different types of advanced surgical cases, such as soft tissue, orthopedic, and neurologic problems. We are dedicated to providing thorough communication to both the owner and primary veterinarian at all times, and providing our patients with the most advanced and compassionate care possible. Our staff reviews procedures, possible complications, prognosis, and home and follow-up care at the time of consultation, before and after surgery, and at discharge.
In addition, the surgical practice has immediate access to the other specialty practices at Las Vegas Veterinary Specialty Center to make sure our patients get the most thorough care available.
About Our Services
Our patients receive thorough surgical monitoring by Licensed Veterinary Technicians, and have a dedicated, quiet recovery ward where they are monitored 24 hours a day by both doctors and technicians. This allows for excellent post-procedure pain management, medical treatment, and observation.
Our facility provides access to advanced diagnostic imaging, including CT, MRI, digital radiography, and ultrasound, as well as advanced treatment options such as critical care and physical rehabilitation.
Some of our surgical procedures include:
- Arthroscopy
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Fracture Repair
- Gastrointestinal Surgery
- Growth Deformities
- Joint Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Oncologic Surgery
- Reconstructive Surgery
- Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)
- Thoracic Surgery
- Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO)
- Total Hip Replacement
- Urogenital Surgery
Appointments
Appointments are by referral basis Monday through Sunday. Surgical emergencies can be seen through the surgery department during those times, or through Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care at any time.
Please call us with any questions at 702-871-1152