Dr. Elliot Craig in Houston and Dr. Kerpsack in Austin REVIEWS?

[stedmansmommy]

Has anyone here ever taken their babies to either of these doctors? Or does anyone here know anything about them?

I am considering one of them for Tatum's Luxating Patella surgery. Dr. Elliot Craig is an Orthopedic Specialist in Houston and Dr. Kerpsack is a surgeon at a Veterinary Specialty Hospital in Austin, but I am still unsure if he is an "Orthopedic" Specialist. I asked the lady one the phone when I called up there and now I can't even remember what she said (I have talked to SO many people on the phone today) - I called back up there to ask but had to leave a message and am waiting for someone to call me back.

I found a great web site today online while searching around for surgeons in Texas. This web site: The Operation - total hip replacement tells the story of a dog who had hip replacement surgery and it was helped preformed by Dr. Elliot Craig (one of the ones that I am considering for Tatum's LP surgery). It seems that this person really loved him and that he did a great job on her dog's surgery.

I called and talked to one of the nurses and she was SO incredibly nice. She talked to me on the phone for over half an hour. She said that Dr. Elliot Craig had I believe 37 years experience and that he has done numerous LP surgeries both on small dogs, and larger breeds. She said that she personally has not been working there all *that* long, but that if her dog needed a surgery she would take him nowhere else. She also told me that Dr. Elliot Craig almost retired once, however he ended up staying but someone (a lady) has bought his practice and that she helps him with the surgeries as well and she has 17 years experience.

Dr. Kerpsack was recommend on another web site I found. The dog's owner said, "In Austin, Dr. Kerpsack at Central Texas Veterinary Specialty Hospital. He did my dog's knee and came highly recommended."

I just have no idea which doctor to go with. I am so confused and want to make the RIGHT decision for my sweet little Tatum. I want the best doctor possible and they both seem as though they would be really good, however I am still trying to find out if Dr. Kerpsack is an actual ORTHOPEDIC Specialist. The nurse on the phone that I talked to at his Animal Hospital said that he (Dr. Kerpsack) just did LP surgery on her little 4 lb Chihuahua and that the surgery was a success and that he is doing great. Dr. Kerpsack and his wife both do surgeries, and the nurse on the phone told me that she thinks they have been practicing for about 15 years or so now.

Anyway, sorry for all the blabbing but I just wanted to explain everything. If anyone here any any reviews at all (even if you've HEARD anything) about either Dr. Elliot Craig or Dr. Kerpsack, I would greatly appreciate hearing about it.

Thanks so much!

[Gypsy & Me]

*Bump*

I obviously can't comment but I hope someone else can answer this. I know you will make the right choice though Brooke.

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by Gypsy & Me

*Bump*

I obviously can't comment but I hope someone else can answer this. I know you will make the right choice though Brooke.

Awww, thanks for the bump GF It was wishful thinking that someone here had used either of these doctors before, but I thought I'd give it a shot and ask anyway, cause ya never know

I think I have made my decision...I think, lol. Going to think about it for a couple more days and talk it over with hubby but I'm pretty sure my mind is made up. Just hope I chose the best doctor for her

[Gypsy & Me]

Originally Posted by stedmansmommy

Awww, thanks for the bump GF It was wishful thinking that someone here had used either of these doctors before, but I thought I'd give it a shot and ask anyway, cause ya never know

I think I have made my decision...I think, lol. Going to think about it for a couple more days and talk it over with hubby but I'm pretty sure my mind is made up. Just hope I chose the best doctor for her

I'm sure you will make the right choice. Both Dr. souns really experienced, I'm sure which ever you chose Tatum will great great care.

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by Gypsy & Me

I'm sure you will make the right choice. Both Dr. souns really experienced, I'm sure which ever you chose Tatum will great great care.

Thanks Vicky You are so sweet girl. I hope all goes well with her surgery - I am a ball of nerves!

[Gypsy & Me]

Originally Posted by stedmansmommy

Thanks Vicky You are so sweet girl. I hope all goes well with her surgery - I am a ball of nerves!

I bet you are! I would be too. Make sure you let me know when she goes so I can keep you all in my thoughts.

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by Gypsy & Me

I bet you are! I would be too. Make sure you let me know when she goes so I can keep you all in my thoughts.

Thanks so much girl, I most definitely will! It won't be too long now

[Ellie May]

It looks like Dr. Kerpsack is a member of the ACVS and Dr. Craig is not?

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

It looks like Dr. Kerpsack is a member of the ACVS and Dr. Craig is not?

Hmm yeah, I did a search myself and just saw that. I have absolutely no idea why Dr. Craig is not listed on there I did more searching online about him the other day and found nothing but wonderful things about him. On the NBGC (National Brussels Griffon Club) web site they have Dr. Craig listed as an "excellent orthopedic surgeon" - National Brussels Griffon Club - Veterinarians. Also he is Dr. Baker's assistant in surgery, and I have heard that Dr. Baker is absolutely WONDERFUL - alot of people from Texas are referred to him. I'd use him myself if only he wasn't 4 hours away. Here is some more info I found on Dr. Craig: "Elliott grew up in Beaumont and attended Texas A&M, where he was a member of the basketball team. After receiving his BS and DVM from Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine, he practiced small animal medicine in Houston for ten years. Because of an increasing interest in surgery, Elliott left practice to complete a three-year surgical residency at Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. In 1979 he returned to Houston to establish a surgical referral practice. Elliott is married and has 2 children. His hobbies include golf and tennis." I even found a picture of him - I posted it below, lol

[Ellie May]

Why not just go the four hours if he is the best?

While I know nothing about either of these doctors and I'm sure they both will do fine, being a diplomate of the ACVS would be extremely important to me, otherwise they can't really say that they specialize in veterinary surgery...

Another thing you might want to take into consideration is pain management post op. A Yorkie had surgery at Michigan State University for LP and was only given a couple days of pain meds. They didn't want her feeling too good to early evidently. However, I do not agree with that at all... This person ended up getting more meds from their regular vet but I know you aren't happy with your vet(s) right now, so maybe you won't be able to depend on that... Then there is the issue of will she be hospitalized without supervision and the anesthesia that is used.

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by Ellie May

Why not just go the four hours if he is the best?

While I know nothing about either of these doctors and I'm sure they both will do fine, being a diplomate of the ACVS would be extremely important to me, otherwise they can't really say that they specialize in veterinary surgery...

Another thing you might want to take into consideration is pain management post op. A Yorkie had surgery at Michigan State University for LP and was only given a couple days of pain meds. They didn't want her feeling too good to early evidently. However, I do not agree with that at all... This person ended up getting more meds from their regular vet but I know you aren't happy with your vet(s) right now, so maybe you won't be able to depend on that... Then there is the issue of will she be hospitalized without supervision and the anesthesia that is used.

I don't want to drive the 4 hours because Tatum does not do well in the car. That would be 4 hours there, 4 hours back home, and then another 4 hours there and back when she has to go to get her sutures removed and for a check up. That is just too much for her. I don't know if Dr. Baker is "the best" - I just heard that he was very good, but then again I've heard the very same thing about Dr. Craig. The reason I didn't want to use Dr. Kerpsack is because he IS NOT an Orthopedic Surgeon. I specifically asked them that on the phone, and they said no.

I don't mean this to come off as sounding rude but it will probably seem that way because I don't know how else to word it but I feel that it would be better to go with the doctor whom I know is an Orthopecdic Surgeon regardless of whether or not he is a diplomate of the ACVS versus the other doctor whom I know is NOT an Orthopedic Surgeon. And Dr. Craig did complete a 3 year surgery residency, so that should count for something.

I mean any vet can preform surgery, heck even my regular (previous vet) said that he could do the LP surgery, he's done them before, but I want an Orthopedic Surgeon.I wouldn't let just any vet do this surgery in a million years.

P.S. - they use Isoflurane Gas, I already asked that. And I most definitely will be asking if someone will be there with her during the night - absolutely. As for the pain meds, I will make sure that they give her plenty - and if I do happen to run out I can always get it re-filled at one of the local pharmacy's here...they do fill dog prescriptions and they do have Metacam.

[RowdysMom]

I don't know the vet Kaspurek in Austin - but I do know Dr. Dudley at Austin Veterinary Surgical Center, Austin, TX : Reviews and maps - Yahoo! Local

Dr. Dudley has done back surgery on my mom's doxy and knee surgery on my daughter's cocker spaniel (anterior cruciate ligament). I do not know about luxating patella's and if he does that surgery - but I would check into it if my Yorkies needed the surgery.

[LuvtheCooper]

I can 2nd this recommendation for Dr. Dudley. He did Carley's surgery on her hip, and he is wonderful!! He does do the patella surgery. I'll be happy to answer any questions you have about our experience there.

[RowdysMom]

Originally Posted by LuvtheCooper

I can 2nd this recommendation for Dr. Dudley. He did Carley's surgery on her hip, and he is wonderful!! He does do the patella surgery. I'll be happy to answer any questions you have about our experience there.

Hi Delaina! I'm glad to hear that someone else has had a wonderful experience with Dr. Dudley. His wife used to teach my daughter's Sunday School class and she has been to their house for church functions. I know that if a patient is not doing well, he used to take the patient home with him for special care and attention because my daughter told me about this (several years ago though). Anyway, he is a wonderful surgeon.

[stedmansmommy]

Originally Posted by RowdysMom

I don't know the vet Kaspurek in Austin - but I do know Dr. Dudley at Austin Veterinary Surgical Center, Austin, TX : Reviews and maps - Yahoo! Local

Dr. Dudley has done back surgery on my mom's doxy and knee surgery on my daughter's cocker spaniel (anterior cruciate ligament). I do not know about luxating patella's and if he does that surgery - but I would check into it if my Yorkies needed the surgery.

Thank you so much for this information! I greatly appreciate it!