The Las Vegas Veterinary Specialty Center (LVVSC) and Veterinary Emergency + Critical Care (VECC) is a specialty practice comprised of board certified and residency trained doctors. We offer externships in Emergency/Critical Care, Surgery, Cardiology, Oncology, Ophthalmology, Neurology, Internal medicine, and Physical Rehabilitation. The doctors at VECC and LVVSC work together to provide the highest quality of collaborative medicine to ensure the pets are treated with the highest level of care.
Responsibilities vary greatly depending on the rotation elected. On all rotations, externs have the opportunity to shadow specialists, gather history information, perform physical exams and diagnostics, observe procedures/surgeries, and discuss differentials and appropriate treatment plans. On some rotations, externs will have the opportunity to perform procedures themselves with supervision when appropriate (including collection of lab samples, ophthalmology tests, placement of IV and urinary catheters, placement of NG tubes, thoracocentesis, abdominocentesis, and pericardiocentesis) and be more directly involved with case management and client communication.
Equipment: In-house Antech laboratory, full in-house laboratory for after hours emergencies including blood gas and coagulation testing, MRI, CT, digital radiography, multiple ultrasound units, advanced patient bedside monitors, mechanical ventilation, laparoscopic surgical equipment, endoscopic equipment.
Doctors:
Emergency/Critical Care:
Linda Weatherton, DVM, DACVECC
Tamera Brabson, DVM, DACVECC
12 Emergency Doctors
ECC residents and interns (variable)
Cardiology:
Scott Forney, DVM, DACVIM
Internal Medicine:
Nicole Smee, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine)
Erin McQuinn, DVM, (Practice Limited to Internal Medicine)
Madeline Fujishiro, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine)
David Burgener, DVM, DACVIM (Internal Medicine)- part time
Neurology:
Dana Gietzen, DVM (Practice Limited to Neurology)
Oncology:
Andrew Vaughan, DVM, MS, DACVIM
Holly Burr, DVM, DACVIM
Ashley Bennett, DVM, DACVIM
Ophthalmology:
William Weinstein, DVM, MS, DACVO
Rehabilitation:
Kelly Straub, MPT, CCRP, APT
Surgery:
William Hoefle, DVM, MS, DACVS
David R. Mason, B. Vet. Med, MRCVS, DACVS, DECVS, DACVS, MR
Suzanne L. Hunter, DVM, DACVS
Lauren Sanders, DVM, DACVS
Joshua Rexing, DVM (Practice Limited to Surgery)
Extern will be scheduled for 4-5 shifts per week depending on service, typically 10 hours per day (7am to 5pm for most specialties). Days of the week will also depend on service that extern chooses to work with are often very flexible for departments that are open 7 days a week. Swing shifts and night shifts are also available on emergency if desired. All extern procedures, diagnostics, etc. will be overseen by a veterinarian.