Surgical Expertise
Surgical Procedures
Detailed write-ups of procedures performed by Dr. Morgan — each including a surgical overview and client FAQ. Click any card to read more.
At VERG Brooklyn, surgery is never just another procedure. It is often a defining moment in a pet's health and long-term quality of life. Our surgical service is led by board-certified veterinary surgeons and anesthesiologists who manage cases ranging from high-risk elective procedures to complex, life-saving emergencies.
Every patient is approached with careful planning, advanced monitoring, and an emphasis on safety, comfort, and outcomes. Dr. Morgan routinely performs complex orthopaedic procedures and minimally invasive techniques — including arthroscopy and laparoscopy — allowing for precise intervention, reduced recovery times, and superior outcomes.
From a dog's first TPLO to a cat's emergency thoracic surgery, every case receives the same level of specialist attention and individualised care.
Board-certified expertise, advanced equipment, and 24/7 emergency capability under one roof.
DACVS-SA diplomates with residency-level training and hundreds of complex cases
Dedicated specialist anaesthesia for every surgical patient — not just monitoring
VERG Brooklyn is a 24-hour emergency and specialty referral centre — always open
CT, digital radiography, fluoroscopy, arthroscopy, laparoscopy tower in-house
The outcome of surgery depends as much on the quality of the implant as it does on the technique. Dr. Morgan uses only industry-leading hardware — the same systems trusted by the highest-volume surgical centers in veterinary medicine.
We do not substitute for lower-cost alternatives. Every patient receives the implant that gives them the best chance of a full, durable recovery.
Refer a CaseArthrex is the highest-volume TPLO plate manufacturer in the veterinary industry. Their locking plate system is biomechanically optimized for tibial plateau leveling osteotomy, with a proven track record across hundreds of thousands of procedures worldwide.
Securos Surgical is a veterinary industry leader in fracture fixation systems. Their titanium locking plates provide superior corrosion resistance, reduced stress shielding, and long-term structural stability — critical factors in complex fracture repair and multi-fragment reconstruction.
Advanced chest surgery is one of the most demanding areas of small animal practice. Dr. Morgan performs the full spectrum of thoracic surgery for dogs and cats — including open thoracotomy and minimally invasive thoracoscopy — backed by VERG Brooklyn's board-certified anesthesiologists and 24/7 ICU.
| Condition | Outlook |
|---|---|
| Lung lobe torsion | Excellent |
| Primary lung carcinoma | Good (12–20+ mo) |
| Chylothorax | Good (70–80%) |
| Diaphragmatic hernia | Excellent |
| Pericardectomy | Very Good |
If your dog is in acute respiratory distress, especially a large or deep-chested breed, call VERG Brooklyn immediately. Lung lobe torsion requires emergency surgery.
(718) 522-9400From acute disc extrusions to complex vertebral instability, Dr. Morgan brings specialist-level spinal expertise and rapid surgical intervention — when minutes matter.
Before recommending surgery, Dr. Morgan assesses neurological grade — a critical factor in both urgency and prognosis:
Grades 3–5 require emergency surgery. If your dog suddenly cannot walk, call VERG immediately.
Hemilaminectomy is the gold-standard surgery for thoracolumbar (mid-back) intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) in dogs. Under general anesthesia with MRI-guided planning, Dr. Morgan:
For cervical (neck) disc disease, Dr. Morgan uses the ventral slot procedure — accessing the disc from beneath the neck for direct disc removal.
MRI is required before surgery to confirm the disc level, assess cord signal change, and rule out concurrent lesions. CT myelography is used when MRI is unavailable.
| Grade at Surgery | Recovery Rate | Time to Walk |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 1–2 (Pain / Mild weakness) | >95% | Days–2 weeks |
| Grade 3–4 (Paresis / Paralysis) | 85–95% | 2–8 weeks |
| Grade 5 (with deep pain) | 50–60% | 4–16 weeks |
| Grade 5 (no deep pain >48 hrs) | ~25% | Variable |
If your dog suddenly cannot walk — especially a Dachshund — this is a neurological emergency. The window for the best outcome is 12–24 hours. Do not wait.
(718) 522-9400Dr. Morgan accepts referrals for complex orthopedic, soft tissue, and neurologic cases from primary care veterinarians across New York and the surrounding region.
Dr. Morgan performs the full spectrum of small animal surgical procedures — from complex orthopaedic reconstruction to minimally invasive arthroscopy and laparoscopy.
Through tiny portals, Dr. Morgan visualises and treats conditions with precision and minimal tissue disruption — resulting in less pain and faster recovery.
No referral needed. No waiting days for a scan. Every surgical case begins with the most precise imaging available in veterinary medicine — performed on-site and reviewed by Dr. Morgan before your pet goes to surgery.
Our 64-slice Toshiba Aquilion CT delivers sub-millimetre resolution with 0.5mm slice thickness, enabling stunning 3D reconstruction of joints, spine, and tumours. Contrast-enhanced studies can map tumour vascularity and organ involvement in real time.
Our 1.5T Philips MRI provides exceptional soft-tissue contrast for neurological and oncological cases. It is the gold standard for diagnosing IVDD, spinal cord compression, brain lesions, and soft-tissue tumours — providing critical information that CT alone cannot deliver.
Medical Disclaimer: Procedure descriptions are for educational purposes and do not substitute for individual veterinary consultation. Recommendations are based on full clinical assessment.
