This elective rotation at Veterinary Specialty Hospital offers fourth-year veterinary students a comprehensive clinical experience in small animal surgery, including soft tissue, orthopedic, and neurological surgery. Because the caseload consists primarily of complex referral cases, students will function largely in an assistant role rather than as primary surgeons, as routine procedures are not a focus of this practice. A significant portion of the surgical caseload involves oncologic surgery, and students will also follow patients requiring chemotherapy planning and monitoring. In addition to surgery, students will be exposed to internal medicine cases, reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of specialty practice. Cardiac workups are performed and submitted to a double board-certified internist and cardiologist for evaluation and treatment recommendations. Diagnostic imaging, including radiography, ultrasound, and CT is reviewed by an off-site board-certified radiologist. Students will participate in all aspects of patient care, from initial examination and case planning through pre-operative workup, anesthetic planning, surgical assistance, and post-operative management. Under the mentorship of a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, this rotation will challenge students to think critically, communicate professionally within a specialty hospital team, develop surgical confidence, and embrace the ethical responsibilities of veterinary practice.
Veterinary Specialty Hospital maintains the staffing and equipment necessary to support a mixed surgery and medicine specialty practice. The clinical team includes six veterinary technicians, two of whom are licensed, providing students with exposure to a skilled and experienced support staff. The hospital sees approximately 10 to 20 patients per day, including 1 to 3 surgical cases and 1 to 3 new patient consultations, with the remainder consisting of rechecks and follow-up appointments. This will offer students balanced exposure to both new case workup and ongoing patient follow-up.
Diagnostic capabilities available in-house include digital radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), endoscopy, and electrocardiography (EKG). Students will have access to in-house microscopy and will be expected to evaluate cytology and cell samples independently, with consultation support from Antech reference laboratory as needed. Laboratory services are provided in-house through Zoetis for routine diagnostics, while more complex panels are submitted to external reference laboratories including Antech, Michigan State University, and Tennessee State University for specialized testing such as endocrine panels, gastrointestinal assays, and other diagnostics based on individual patient needs. Fecal examinations are routinely performed in-house, though some samples are submitted externally for fecal PCR testing.
The hospital utilizes ezyVet as its practice management and medical records system. Surgical equipment includes electrocautery, vessel-sealing (LigaSure) technology, orthopedic implants, bone plating systems, and external fixators, supporting a wide range of soft tissue and orthopedic procedures. Three anesthesia machines with full monitoring capability, including end-tidal CO₂, are available to support concurrent surgical cases. Most diagnostic imaging studies and cardiac workups are interpreted by off-site board-certified specialists, including a double board-certified internist and cardiologist and a board-certified radiologist, ensuring students experience the consultative nature of modern specialty practice.
Students are expected to be present Monday through Friday, arriving by 9:00 AM in clean scrubs and prepared to engage fully with the clinical team. Hospital hours are 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with a one-hour lunch break. Students should plan to bring their own lunch, as dining options in the area are limited. Depending on the surgical and patient caseload, the day may extend beyond 6:00 PM, and students should be prepared for that possibility.
Punctuality, professionalism, and a proactive attitude are essential throughout the rotation. Students are expected to take patient histories, formulate a list of differential diagnoses, and develop and execute diagnostic plans under supervision. In surgery, the student role will be primarily observational; however, the supervising surgeon will make every effort to incorporate teaching moments and demonstrate surgical principles whenever time and cases permit.
Students will have access to in-house microscopy, where they will evaluate complete blood counts (CBC), cytology, and fecal preparations. On selected cases, students will have the opportunity to participate in patient discharge, including client communication and discharge instruction review.
Ave. San Patricio # 783 Las Lomas
San Juan, PR 00921
United States