Board certified veterinary surgeon Dr. Kari Swanson at Deer Park Veterinary Hospital Cincinnati OH

Board Certified Veterinary Surgery at DPVH in Cincinnati, OH

We’re proud to partner with Dr. Kari Swanson, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA — a Board Certified Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon and the only concierge surgeon of her kind in Southwestern Ohio. Dr. Swanson works directly with our team at Deer Park Veterinary Hospital to deliver specialty-level surgical care right here in our clinic, without the added stress of an unfamiliar referral hospital.

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Advanced orthopedic and soft tissue surgery for pets at Deer Park Veterinary Hospital

Orthopedic Procedures

Dr. Swanson is highly experienced in advanced orthopedic surgery for dogs and cats, including:

  • Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)
  • Extracapsular Cranial Cruciate Stabilization
  • Patellar Luxation Repair (MPL/LPL)
  • Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHNO/FHNE)
  • Fracture Repair
  • Superficial Digital Flexor Tendon (SDFT) Luxation Repair
  • Synovial Fluid Aspirates (Joint Taps)
  • Bone Biopsy

Soft Tissue Procedures

  • Abdominal Exploratory Surgery
  • Amputations (Forelimb, Hindlimb, Digit, and Tail)
  • Anal Sacculectomy or Anal Sac Mass Removal
  • Cholecystectomy (Gallbladder Removal)
  • Cystotomy / Urinary Bladder Stone Removal
  • Esophagostomy Tube Placement
  • External Abdominal Hernia Repair (Inguinal, Umbilical, Scrotal, and Perineal)
  • Gastrointestinal Surgery (Gastrotomy, Enterotomy, Resection and Anastomosis, Intestinal Biopsies)
  • Liver Biopsy / Mass Removal
  • Mass Removal (Skin or Abdominal)
  • Perineal Urethrostomy (Cat) and Scrotal Urethrostomy (Dog)
  • Prophylactic Gastropexy
  • Salivary Mucocele / Sialocele Excision
  • Splenectomy
  • Vulvoplasty / Episioplasty

Dr. Swanson’s services are referral-based and coordinated directly through our clinic. If your pet may benefit from specialty surgical care, reach out to our team and we’ll guide you through the referral process.

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Dr. Kari Swanson board certified small animal surgeon Midwest Veterinary Surgery

About Dr. Kari Swanson, DVM, MS, DACVS-SA

Dr. Kari Swanson is a board-certified small animal veterinary surgeon and the founder of Midwest Veterinary Surgery. After earning her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Illinois, she completed advanced training through a surgical internship and a rigorous surgical residency program.

Dr. Swanson brings extensive expertise in soft tissue, orthopedic, oncologic, and neurologic surgical procedures. As a concierge surgeon, she travels directly to veterinary clinics across the Midwest — allowing pets to receive specialty-level surgical care in a familiar environment with the veterinary team they already know and trust.

Her work is driven by a deep passion for improving the quality of life for her patients and supporting the broader veterinary community through collaboration and access to advanced care.

Why Choose On-Site Specialty Surgery at DPVH?

When your pet needs a procedure beyond the scope of general practice, the traditional path is a referral to a specialty hospital — often in an unfamiliar location, with an unfamiliar team, and at significant additional cost and stress. Our mobile surgery partnership with Dr. Swanson changes that.

By bringing board-certified surgical expertise directly to Deer Park Veterinary Hospital, your pet can receive advanced procedures in the same clinic where they already receive their routine care. That means less travel stress, a familiar environment, and seamless coordination between Dr. Swanson and our full-time veterinary team. It’s the best of both worlds — specialty-level skill with the comfort of a practice you trust.

To learn more about whether Dr. Swanson’s services are right for your pet, or to explore our full range of surgical services, contact us at (513) 791-8550. Our team is here to help you navigate every step of the process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mobile Surgery at DPVH

What is mobile or concierge veterinary surgery?

Mobile or concierge veterinary surgery means that a board-certified specialist — in this case, Dr. Kari Swanson, DACVS-SA — travels directly to our clinic to perform advanced surgical procedures. Rather than sending your pet to an outside specialty hospital, the specialty care comes to us. This provides your pet with expert surgical treatment in a familiar environment with our trusted team supporting the procedure.

How does my pet get referred to Dr. Swanson at DPVH?

Dr. Swanson’s services are referral-based and coordinated entirely through Deer Park Veterinary Hospital. If one of our veterinarians determines that your pet would benefit from a specialty surgical procedure, they will discuss the recommendation with you and arrange a consultation with Dr. Swanson. You don’t need to contact an outside hospital — we handle the coordination for you.

What is a TPLO and does my dog need one?

TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) is the gold-standard surgical treatment for cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tears in dogs — equivalent to an ACL injury in humans. It involves reshaping the tibia to stabilize the knee joint without relying on the damaged ligament. Signs that your dog may have a CCL injury include sudden hind leg lameness, difficulty rising, or a reluctance to bear weight. A physical exam and X-rays at our clinic can help determine whether TPLO is appropriate for your pet.

What is patellar luxation and how is it treated surgically?

Patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap (patella) slips out of its normal position, causing pain and lameness. It’s particularly common in small breeds. Mild cases may be managed conservatively, but more severe cases benefit from surgical correction (MPL/LPL repair) to reposition the kneecap and prevent ongoing joint damage. Dr. Swanson performs this procedure at our clinic.

Is specialty surgery at DPVH more affordable than a referral hospital?

Concierge surgical services at a general practice clinic can often be more cost-effective than a dedicated specialty hospital, as the overhead costs are typically lower. Our team is transparent about pricing and will discuss procedure costs with you before scheduling. We also offer payment plan options to help make advanced care accessible.

What happens after my pet’s specialty surgery at DPVH?

Post-operative care for specialty procedures is managed by our full-time veterinary team at Deer Park Veterinary Hospital. We provide detailed recovery instructions, pain management medications, and scheduled follow-up visits to monitor healing. For orthopedic procedures, physical rehabilitation guidance may also be provided. Our team remains your point of contact throughout the entire recovery process.

Can cats receive specialty surgery through the mobile surgery program?

Yes. Dr. Swanson’s expertise covers both dogs and cats. Whether your cat requires a soft tissue procedure, mass removal, or another advanced surgery, our team can discuss whether Dr. Swanson’s services are appropriate for your pet’s specific needs. Contact us at (513) 791-8550 to start the conversation.