For Veterinarians — Matthew Morgan, DVM, DACVS-SA | VERG Brooklyn Surgical Referrals

Referral Process

How to Refer a Patient

Referrals can be made by calling VERG Brooklyn directly or by sending a referral email to the surgery department. For urgent or emergency surgical cases, please call the hospital immediately — the emergency and surgical teams triage urgent cases in real time.

When sending a referral, the most useful information includes the signalment, presenting complaint, physical examination findings, diagnostic results or imaging, and your clinical question. We can usually accommodate consultation within a few days for elective cases and the same day for urgent ones.

1

Call or email the surgery department

(718) 522-9400 or [email protected]

2

Send relevant records and imaging

Digital radiographs, prior lab work, imaging CDs or DICOM files, and your clinical notes. CT/MRI on CD or via transfer link is preferred over physical media.

3

We confirm the appointment with the owner

We contact the client to schedule a surgical consultation and confirm they have your referral.

4

You receive a detailed consultation report

A written report is sent following the consultation. A postoperative discharge summary is sent after surgery. Direct communication by phone is always available.

Urgent and emergency cases: Please call VERG Brooklyn at (718) 522-9400. The hospital operates around the clock. Emergency surgical triage does not require a prior appointment. For polytrauma, hemoabdomen, GDV, or acute neurologic deterioration, call while the patient is being prepared for transport.

Cases Accepted

Commonly Referred Conditions

Orthopedic

Cranial cruciate ligament disease (TPLO evaluation)

Patellar luxation, Grade II–IV

Fractures — diaphyseal, periarticular, complex

Elbow disease — FMCP, OCD, UAP

Angular limb deformities

Orthopedic trauma and emergency fractures

Neurologic / Spinal

Thoracolumbar and cervical IVDD

Spinal fracture or luxation

Lumbosacral / cauda equina syndrome

Extradural compressive lesions

Soft Tissue & Oncologic

GDV, splenic masses, hemoabdomen

Gastrointestinal foreign bodies and obstruction

Oncologic mass excision — soft tissue, abdominal

Hepatobiliary and urinary surgery

Thoracic & Airway

Chylothorax

Lung lobectomy — primary tumor, lobe torsion

Laryngeal paralysis (tie-back surgery)

BOAS — nares, palate, laryngeal surgery

Thoracic trauma and diaphragmatic hernia

Imaging Review

Pre-Referral Imaging Consultation

If you have CT or MRI images for a surgical candidate and want a brief review before scheduling a consultation, this is available. Send the DICOM files or a link to the imaging study, along with the signalment and clinical summary, to the surgery department email.

Imaging review is particularly useful for cases where the findings might change management significantly — for example, a thoracic mass where CT findings might indicate inoperability, or a spinal case where cord signal change on MRI affects the decision to proceed with surgery.

An imaging review does not replace a full consultation, but it can help you and your client make an informed decision before the appointment.

When CT is most useful before referral

Thoracic masses — staging and resectability

Nasal tumors — extent and cribriform plate assessment

Elbow disease — FMCP, OCD, UAP characterization

Complex fractures — geometry and planning

Spinal disease — when MRI is not available

Oral/mandibular tumors — extent and margin planning

Communication

How We Communicate With Your Practice

Clear communication between the specialist and the referring veterinarian is a standard part of how Dr. Morgan manages every case — before, during, and after surgery.

Pre-Operative Communication

If you have questions about a case before the consultation, a brief phone discussion is available. You may also send a clinical summary and imaging for pre-referral review before scheduling.

Consultation Report

A written consultation report is sent to your practice following the initial appointment. This includes the clinical findings, diagnosis, discussion of surgical options and alternatives, and the proposed plan.

Discharge Summary

A detailed surgical and discharge summary is sent to your practice after surgery. This covers the procedure performed, intraoperative findings, anesthesia details, postoperative medications, rehabilitation instructions, and follow-up schedule.

"The relationship between the specialist and the referring veterinarian should be a partnership. I ask about your clinical question, explain what I found and why, communicate any complications promptly, and send your patient home with a summary that makes your next visit straightforward. I am available by phone for questions before and after surgery."

— Matthew Morgan, DVM, DACVS-SA

Educational Resources

Case Discussions & Clinical Guides

Reference material for primary care veterinarians on common surgical referral topics. These are intended as clinical discussion resources, not definitive management guidelines.

ERAS Protocol — Enhanced Recovery After Surgery

Perioperative protocol for improving surgical outcomes, reducing opioid use, and accelerating recovery. Based on the CE presentation by Dr. Morgan and Dr. Gingold.

Read full guide

Chylothorax — Surgical Management Guide

Comprehensive review of chylothorax: pathophysiology, diagnosis (fluid analysis criteria), medical management, and the triple surgical approach (TDL + pericardectomy + cisterna chyli ablation).

Read full guide

CCL Disease — When to Refer for TPLO

Discussion of partial versus complete cranial cruciate ligament tears, indication for surgery, timing of referral, and what to expect from a TPLO workup.

Coming soon

IVDD — Surgical Decision-Making for Spinal Cases

Grading neurologic deficits, timing of surgery in IVDD patients, prognostic factors, and what the imaging report means for surgical planning.

Coming soon

Arthroscopy for Elbow Disease — When It Changes Management

Elbow arthroscopy versus CT-directed open surgery in FMCP and OCD: what arthroscopy offers, and when it is the right first step.

Coming soon

Splenic Masses — Surgical Approach and Staging

Evaluation of splenic masses, hemoabdomen management, staging before splenectomy, and distinguishing benign from malignant lesions based on preoperative findings.

Coming soon

Thoracic Surgery Referral Considerations

When CT is essential before thoracic surgery referral, what information to gather, and how to discuss thoracic procedures with owners before the specialist visit.

Coming soon

Laryngeal Paralysis — Evaluation and Referral Timing

When to refer a laryngeal paralysis case, how to characterize the severity, and what to discuss with owners about the long-term risks of the tie-back procedure.

Coming soon

Postoperative Care

Shared Postoperative Responsibilities

Following surgery, the discharge summary sent to your practice describes the procedure, medications, restrictions, and planned follow-up. Suture removal, recheck radiographs, and routine postoperative monitoring are often managed by the primary care practice.

If a postoperative concern arises — a wound issue, unexpected change in neurologic status, suspected implant complication — please call VERG Brooklyn. Urgent postoperative issues should be triaged through the hospital directly.

The ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocol used for selected surgical cases at VERG Brooklyn emphasizes early feeding, multimodal analgesia, reduced opioid use, and early mobilization. A detailed guide is available for your reference.

View ERAS Protocol

Routine follow-up: The discharge summary will specify whether follow-up appointments should be at VERG Brooklyn, at your practice, or both. Rechecks involving radiographs or neurologic reassessment are typically performed here.

Medications: Discharge medications, including any analgesics, NSAIDs, or specific instructions, are clearly documented in the discharge summary. If there are questions about prescriptions or interactions, please call us directly.

Urgent postoperative concerns: Wound dehiscence, sudden neurologic decline, signs of seroma, suspected infection, respiratory distress, or any unexpected deterioration should be directed to VERG Brooklyn immediately at (718) 522-9400.

Contact

Refer a Patient

For routine referrals, use the form or email. For emergencies, please call directly. We aim to respond to all referral inquiries within one business day.

Phone

(718) 522-9400

Surgery Department Email

[email protected]

Address

196 4th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Referral Inquiry

Your name and practice

Phone

Email

Surgical category

Clinical summary

For urgent or emergency cases, call (718) 522-9400 directly. Do not use this form for emergencies.

Thank you. We will follow up within one business day.