Surgery

Learn more about our pet surgery services below.

Appointment

Surgery in Bristow, VA 20136

Why Use a Board-Certified Surgeon?

Veterinarians aren’t too different from human doctors. In general, there are doctors that help you with your everyday wellbeing and health, and then there are doctors who specialize in a specific aspect of medicine. In the same way, there are veterinarians who know something about everything, and veterinarians who know everything about something. A board-certified surgeon falls into this second group. They specialize in veterinary surgery. In order to become board certified, a veterinarian needs to complete additional advanced training. Usually this involves a year-long internship and a three-year residency program. This time allows them to focus their abilities and offer the highest quality of care.

Board certified surgeons are able to see and treat complicated problems that require the expertise they’ve acquired through years of specialized surgical training. Furthermore, because they’re experts in their field, they can discuss all options with you in order to find the right treatment for your pet and family.

What to expect for Animal Surgery

Our patients’ safety and comfort are our top priorities here at Cardinal Veterinary Center of Northern Virginia. All patients are assigned to a team of highly trained licensed veterinary technicians before, during and after their procedure. Your pet will receive constant monitoring while under anesthesia. After surgery, our doctors and technicians will keep the patient as quiet, clean, comfortable and pain-free as possible. Once your pet is stable, we will call you with an update on their progress and how the surgery went. We provide outstanding, personalized care to each patient that ensures their specific needs are being met.

All of our patients stay in the same cage where you drop them off and are monitored during their entire stay. There is always someone within 15 feet of them at all times. This allows us to be attentive to their immediate needs and address any emergency as it happens. When you pick up your pet, we will go over all medications and discharge instructions with you and provide you with written instructions. You are always welcome to call when you have further concerns or questions.

Why Cardinal Veterinary Center of Northern Virginia is the Right Choice for You

When your pet needs surgery—the Veterinary Surgery Department of Cardinal Veterinary Center of Northern Virginia is your best choice. Our board-certified surgeon has extensive experience performing all types of soft tissue and orthopedic surgery.

On top of all the benefits that come along with using a board-certified surgeon, Cardinal Veterinary Center of Northern Virginia provides comprehensive postoperative care onsite. We will not only monitor your pet throughout the day but we will provide pain management and observe for signs of further issues. This means that once your pet comes out of surgery, we will monitor his/her well-being and be able to administer any additional treatment that may be necessary.

Further benefits include:

One-on-one time with the surgeon who will complete a thorough evaluation of your pet.
A tour of the hospital where you will see our state-of-the-art equipment, surgery ward, and post-op ward where your pet will stay.
Answers to all of your questions. We want you to be informed, knowledgeable, and at ease that your pet is in the best care.

Meet our Surgeon

Dr. Nicholson graduated from Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM) in 1999 and completed his internship and residency at The University of Pennsylvania. He received Board Certification from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2004. Since then, he has spent 12 years in private practice as a Surgeon and 2 years (2009-2011) as a Clinical Associate Professor of Surgery at Virginia Tech (VMRCVM). He became a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner in 2014. Dr. Nicholson continues to stay current with new medical and surgical advancements by attending frequent continuing education seminars and teaching our interns.

Dr. Nicholson is available for soft tissue surgical consultation and elective soft tissue surgical procedures, such as perineal urethrostomy and laryngeal tie back. He is also available for radiographic review(s).

Dr. Nicholson will be able to perform the following elective orthopedic procedures: