Overland Park Veterinary Emergency and Specialty

02/14/2025

💘 Love is in the air… and covered in fur! This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating the unconditional love between our team and their pets. 🐾❤️
Drop a photo of your pet in the comments—we’d love to see your furry Valentines too! 🥰📸

02/11/2025

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉

Join us in congratulating Rebbeca on her incredible achievement—being accepted into the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine! 🐾💜 Since joining the OPVES team in 2024, Rebecca has been a dedicated and hardworking veterinary assistant, and we have no doubt she will make an amazing veterinarian.

We’re so proud of you, Rebecca, and we can’t wait to see what you accomplish in vet school! Drop a 🎉 in the comments to celebrate this exciting milestone!

02/06/2025

February is American Heart Month! ❤️ Just like us, our pets need a healthy heart to live their best lives. Here are some essential tips to keep your furry friend’s heart in shape! 🐾

If your pet has been diagnosed with a heart condition or shows signs of heart disease—like coughing difficulty breathing, or fatigue—our board-certified cardiologist, Dr. Shane Murphy, at our Mission Hospital is here to help.

01/30/2025

Meet Moira: January’s Patient of the Month🐶

Moira, a four-year-old German Shepherd mix, came to our surgery team after a fall down a flight of stairs. Moira has cerebellar hypoplasia, a condition that causes her to be wobbly and ataxic, so her coordination is always slightly impaired. But after her accident, it was clear something more serious had occurred—she stopped using her back left leg altogether.
X-rays revealed a craniodorsal luxation of her left hip, meaning the ball of her femur had dislocated from its socket in the pelvis. The first step was to attempt a closed reduction under general anesthesia, where the hip is manipulated back into place without surgery. However, Moira's hip wouldn’t stay in position due to ligament damage and joint instability. After careful discussion with her family, surgeon Dr. Kim Aeschlimann decided to proceed with a surgical procedure called a hip toggle.

🐾What Is a Hip Toggle?
A hip toggle is a surgical method used to stabilize a dislocated hip by replicating the function of the ligament of the femoral head (the structure that normally holds the hip in place). A small toggle pin, connected to a strong nylon suture, is placed into the center of the hip socket and secured through the femoral head. The suture acts as an artificial ligament, preventing the hip from dislocating while allowing for a smooth range of motion.
While not as commonly performed as other procedures like femoral head ostectomy (FHO) or total hip replacement (THR), the hip toggle is an excellent choice for young, active dogs with good hip anatomy. Moira’s hip conformation was favorable, and her family was committed to her postoperative recovery, making her an ideal candidate for this technique.

🐾Why Not an FHO or THR?
-FHO (Femoral Head Ostectomy): This procedure involves removing the head and neck of the femur, creating a false joint. While it can relieve pain, it requires significant muscle strength for recovery. Because Moira’s cerebellar hypoplasia causes poor coordination and muscle atrophy, her surgeon was concerned about her ability to fully recover from an FHO.
-THR (Total Hip Replacement): This procedure replaces the hip joint entirely with an implant. However, due to Moira’s wobbly gait and the potential for implant complications, her surgeon felt it wasn’t the best first option for her.
Due to Moira’s neuro and musculatory issues, the hip toggle gave her the best chance for a stable, functional hip while avoiding complications associated with the other procedures.

🐾Moira’s Surgery and Recovery
Moira’s surgery went smoothly. Dr. Aeschlimann used advanced techniques to carefully place the toggle pin and suture, ensuring the hip was securely stabilized. After testing the hip’s range of motion and confirming it would not luxate, Moira’s incision was closed, and a local anesthetic was applied to minimize postoperative discomfort.
Post-surgery, Moira received medications to manage her pain and reduce inflammation, as well as antibiotics to prevent infection. Her family took home detailed discharge instructions, including strict activity restrictions—no off-leash play, running, or jumping for at least six weeks.

At her two-week post-op check-in, Moira’s incision was healing well, and her family reported she was already starting to use her leg more during short, controlled walks with her harness. Her recovery continued with gradual weight-bearing exercises under close supervision. At her last recheck on January 16th, Moira was seemingly more comfortable and consistently using her operated leg!

🩺Moira’s case highlights the importance of tailoring surgical options to each pet’s unique needs. Why Hip Toggles are not always the go-to procedure for these injuries, Dr. Aeschlimann’s expertise allowed the team to identify Moira as the perfect candidate- overall leading to a healthier, happier, and improved life. Thanks to her family’s dedication and her own determination, Moira is well on her way to getting back to her favorite activities.

Join us in celebrating Moira as our Patient of the Month—she’s a true fighter and a reminder of why we love what we do!💞

01/28/2025

🌟 Team Member Spotlight 🌟
Today, we’re shining a light on two incredible members of our OP hospital team who help keep things running smoothly and ensure every pet and pet owner receives the best care possible! 💙

✨ Kellecia – One of our wonderful CSRs, Kellecia, is often the first smiling face you see or the warm voice you hear when you call. She goes above and beyond to make sure our clients feel supported and informed during what can often be stressful times. Her compassion and positivity brighten everyone’s day!

✨ Marci – As one of our talented surgery RVTs, Marci is a rockstar in the OR! From assisting with complex procedures to ensuring every patient receives top-notch care before, during, and after surgery, Marci’s expertise and dedication greatly impact our patients' outcomes.

We’re so lucky to have both of these incredible individuals on our team. Drop a ❤️ in the comments to show them some love! 🐾

01/16/2025

February is National Pet Dental Health Month, and we’re thrilled to highlight our partners at Companion Animal Dentistry of Kansas City! 🦷🐾 A special shoutout to Sue Johnson, one of their incredible technicians, who will share her expertise on the Technician Track at our upcoming conference, the MVCC.
A big thank you to Sue and the Companion Animal Dentistry team for their dedication to advancing veterinary dentistry and helping pets live healthier, happier lives. ❤️

01/09/2025

🚨 Top Emergency Visit Trends of 2024 & Prevention Tips for 2025 🐾

In 2024, our veterinary team treated countless cases of toxic ingestions, injuries, foreign body incidents, and digestive issues in pets. Check out these helpful tips to keep your pets safe and healthy all year long.
💊 Toxic Ingestion: Store medications & cleaning products securely.
🚦 Trauma/Injury: Use carriers, reflective gear, and avoid crowded areas.
🍗 Foreign Body Ingestion: Choose safe toys & supervise playtime.
🥗 Digestive Distress: Stick to a balanced diet & routine care.

Share this post to spread awareness and help other pet owners prepare for a safe and happy year ahead. ❤️

01/07/2025

🎉 Speaker Spotlight: Vicky Orgain, MBA, RVT, VTS (Nutrition) 🎉

We’re thrilled to have Vicky Orgain from Hill’s Pet Nutrition, our Premier Platinum Sponsor, presenting at the 2025 MVCC!
📢 Topic: Managing Misunderstandings: Navigating Tricky Nutrition Conversations
📍 Technician + Assistant Track

Nutrition can be one of the most sensitive and essential topics in pet care. Vicky will share her expertise to help veterinary professionals tackle challenging nutrition conversations with confidence and clarity. Spaces are filling up quickly!
Don't miss your chance to hear from Vicky and other industry professionals for 6 FREE continuing education credits!

📆 Date: February 2, 2025
📍 Location: Overland Park Convention Center
👉 Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/midwest-veterinary-collaboration-conference-tickets-872619527497?aff=oddtdtcreator

Tag your technicians and assistants and spread the word—this is a lecture they won’t want to miss! 💬

01/03/2025

A team of engineers and veterinarians are developing a device that can destroy brain cancer tumors in dogs, and eventually, they hope to adapt the technology to use the method to help humans too.

01/02/2025

🚨 The Countdown is ON! 🚨

We're just ONE MONTH AWAY from the fourth-annual Midwest Veterinary Collaboration Conference (MVCC) – a FREE continuing education symposium for the veterinary community! 🎉

Whether you’re a veterinarian, technician, assistant, practice manager, or support staff, there's something for everyone:
🐾12 Advanced DVM lectures
🐾 6 Innovative Technician lectures
🐾 5 Insightful GP Management lectures

📅 Mark your calendar: February 2, 2025
📍 Location: Overland Park Convention Center

Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow with 700+ of your colleagues!

🎟️ Spots are filling up quickly. Secure your spot today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/midwest-veterinary-collaboration-conference-tickets-872619527497?aff=oddtdtcreator

Overland Park Veterinary Emergency and Specialty, providing reliable veterinary care to the beloved pets of Overland Park, Kansas, is our passion.

01/01/2025

As we ring in the New Year, we want to express our gratitude to our incredible community. Thank you for trusting us with your pet’s health in 2024, and we look forward to continue providing care in 2025. Wishing you and your pets a safe, healthy, and happy New Year! 🐾⭐

12/27/2024

🐾 Meet Camry, our Patient of the Month! 🐾
Camry, a very sweet coonhound, came to our Overland Park hospital in critical condition after her owners noticed retching, lethargy, and a lack of appetite. ER veterinarian, Dr. Brittany McBrain, quickly diagnosed her with gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), a life-threatening condition where the stomach twists on itself, trapping gas and cutting off blood flow- a condition more common in large, deep-chested breeds.

Initial diagnostics, including X-rays and bloodwork, revealed a severely gas-distended stomach, high lactate levels, and mild changes in her blood values. Despite aggressive stabilization with IV fluids, decompression, and pain management, Camry’s condition required emergency surgery to save her life.

Being 7 years old, Camry faced additional risks associated with both anesthesia and surgery. Her advanced age meant her organs, such as her heart, liver, and kidneys, could be more vulnerable to the effects of anesthesia. Thanks to our anesthesiologist, Dr. Charlotte Marquis, and surgery technician, Ka Westhoff, the anesthesia was safely administered, and sweet Camry was ready for surgery.

During surgery, led by Dr. Allen and surgical residents Dr. Jackson Balcom and Dr. Brandon Pate, the team untwisted her stomach, removed a portion of necrotic (non-viable) stomach tissue, and secured her stomach to the abdominal wall with a gastropexy to prevent future GDV episodes. Thankfully, there were no complications during the procedure, and our ICU team carefully monitored her recovery.

Camry showed incredible perseverance throughout her time with us. Post-surgery, she received supportive care, including plasma transfusions, continuous pain management, and intensive monitoring. Her steady recovery is a testament to her strength, the quick action of her owners, and the dedication of our medical team.

🏥Camry’s journey reminds us of the importance of acting quickly in emergencies. GDV can progress rapidly. A few things pet owners can look for at home include a
distended or tight abdomen, slow, shallow breathing, retching with no production, inability to keep anything down, and overall lethargy. GDV can be caused by the simplest of actions, such as drinking water too quickly, running or rolling around after eating, or excessive activity before food is digested. Thanks to Camry’s owner's timely intervention, they saved her life, and she was able to return home happy and healthy.

Let’s celebrate Camry and her amazing owners for acting quickly and trusting our team with her care! 🎉

12/25/2024

🐾 From our furry family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah! 💙🎄

⭐️Friendly reminder: our hospital is open 24/7 for all pet emergencies, including holidays.

12/17/2024

🎄🐾 Christmas spirit is in full swing at OPVES! One of our talented team members went above and beyond, handmaking festive Christmas bandanas for all our staff pets! 🎁❤️
Swipe to see some of our furry family members showing off their holiday style! 🐶🐱

12/11/2024

🐾 Curious about what happens when your pet needs surgery? Our third-year surgical resident, Dr. Annie Marquiss, and anesthesiologist, Dr. Charlotte Marquis, teamed up to develop an insightful blog: What to Expect: Common Pet Surgeries at OPVES.

From TPLO to soft tissue surgeries and more, this guide walks you through the process and highlights how we ensure your pet's comfort and safety every step of the way. 💙

📖 Read it here: https://www.overlandparkveterinaryspecialists.com/blog/what-to-expect-common-pet-surgeries-at-opves

What to Expect: Common Pet Surgeries at OPVES

12/06/2024

12/05/2024

✨Team member spotlight✨
This week, we are excited to highlight two incredible members of our Internal Medicine team: Jenni and Kate! 🩺

🐾 Kate brings over 10 years of veterinary experience, including her first year with us at OPVES. She is motivated by her lifelong passion for helping animals and loves the bond she forms with our long-term patients, caring for them as if they were her own pets.

🐾 Jenni has over 14 years of veterinary experience, with 3.5 years at OPVES. A graduate of Bel-Rea in Denver, she brings a wealth of knowledge and provides exceptional care to our IM patients daily.

We are so grateful to Jenni and Kate for their dedication, skill, and compassion. They ensure their patients always receive the best care possible. Whether assisting with complex procedures or providing comfort to our furry friends, their commitment to excellence makes a world of difference.
Let’s give Jenni and Kate some love in the comments! 👏

12/03/2024

🎉MVCC Speaker Spotlight! 🎉
Join Dr. Charlotte Marquis, our wonderful anesthesiologist, at the 2025 MVCC as she dives into TWO insightful topics:
💉 Anesthesia for Pets with Kidney Disease (DVM Track)
📊 Telemetry for Technicians (Technician Track)

Whether you're a veterinarian or a technician, you'll leave with practical knowledge to elevate your patient care. Don't wait—secure your spot today to earn 6 FREE continuing education credits.

👉 Register now: https://www.overlandparkveterinaryspecialists.com/events