Vet surgeon in north for hip visit

Vet surgeon in north for hip visit

James Cook University’s veterinary emergency centre and hospital, JCUVet, has performed four hip replacements on dogs with the help of a Melbourne veterinary specialist.

Dr Chris Preston, principle veterinarian and registered specialist in small animal surgery at the Pet Emergency & Specialist Centre, made the trip from Melbourne to Townsville to lead the procedure today (Friday 21 March).

Dr Preston is a specialist in orthopaedic operations and leads Australia in canine arthroscopy as well as joint replacements for arthritis.

Veterinary staff assisted Dr Preston in the two-hour operation to replace a hip on four large cross-breed dogs that have a debilitating joint disease.

Dr Margaret Reilly, Director of JCUVet, said the procedure not only provided a safe and timely service for their referral patients, it offered a learning opportunity for staff.

“We were so pleased to have Dr Preston provide his service to our patients and for our staff to watch his routine and techniques – he’s a rock star in the veterinary world,” she said.

“It’s much easier and safer for the patients to have the operation in their home town instead of putting them on a plane. Post-operatively it will provide a better outcome and it’s more convenient for our clients.”

“Our post-operative service is an important element as we operate 24-hours daily to provide a great level of care for the dogs.”

JCUVet is the only veterinary emergency centre and specialist referral hospital north of the Sunshine Coast that functions as an after-hours emergency and critical care service, a specialist referral centre and clinical training facility for final year JCU veterinary students.

JCU Media Liaison: Gemma Bauman, tel: (07) 4781 4990 or 0402 864 636

Issued Friday 21st of March 2014