Because your pet shouldn't have to travel far, or feel far from home, to get world-class surgical care.
At The Animal Doctors of Orange County, we have built something genuinely uncommon in veterinary medicine: a partnership with a board-certified surgeon that brings specialist-level orthopedic and advanced soft tissue surgery directly into our Buena Park, Anaheim, and Mission Viejo hospitals. Your pet stays with the team they know, in the building they've been to before, surrounded by the people who already care about them.
We are proud to work with Dr. Zach Smith, DVM, DACVS, a board-certified veterinary surgeon specializing in orthopedics and advanced soft tissue surgery. Dr. Smith performs in-hospital consultations and surgeries at our facilities, working alongside your pet's primary veterinarian to provide seamless, coordinated care from diagnosis through recovery.
What Does Board-Certified Mean... and Why Does It Matter?
A board-certified veterinary surgeon has completed veterinary school, followed by a one-year internship, a three-year surgical residency, and passed rigorous written and practical examinations administered by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). ACVS board-certified surgeons represent the highest level of surgical training available in veterinary medicine, and fewer than 1,000 are practicing in the United States. When Dr. Smith operates on your pet, you are getting the same level of surgical expertise typically available only at a university hospital or large specialty center, delivered inside your pet's own veterinary practice.
Orthopedic Surgery
Restoring Mobility. Relieving Pain. Getting Your Pet Back to Their Best Life.
Orthopedic conditions affect your pet's bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles — and when they go untreated or are treated inadequately, they become sources of chronic pain and permanent disability. Dr. Smith performs the full spectrum of small animal orthopedic procedures at our Orange County locations.
Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Rupture & TPLO
CCL rupture — the canine equivalent of an ACL tear — is the most common orthopedic injury in dogs. It causes sudden or progressive hind limb lameness, joint instability, and eventually severe arthritis if not surgically addressed. Large and active breeds are particularly susceptible, though CCL tears occur in dogs of all sizes.
The Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) is the gold standard surgical treatment for CCL rupture. By repositioning the tibial plateau to neutralize the forces that destabilize the knee, TPLO eliminates the need for the damaged ligament entirely. Studies tracking dogs for years after TPLO surgery have found that 90.4% of patients achieved good to excellent outcomes at up to 6.8 years post-surgery, with an average restoration of 93% of limb function within the first year. TPLO is also associated with less progression of arthritis than alternative repair techniques, making it particularly beneficial for young, active, and large-breed dogs.
CCL Rupture & Extracapsular Repair (Lateral Suture)
For smaller, less active dogs, or in cases where TPLO is not indicated, extracapsular repair — also called lateral suture stabilization — is a well-established alternative for managing CCL instability. Dr. Smith assesses each patient individually to determine which approach offers the best functional outcome for their size, lifestyle, and degree of injury.
Patellar Luxation (Kneecap Dislocation)
Patellar luxation occurs when the kneecap slides out of its normal groove, causing intermittent or persistent lameness, discomfort, and over time, cartilage erosion and arthritis. It is one of the most common orthopedic conditions in dogs, with a reported prevalence of up to 75% in certain small breeds including Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Yorkshire Terriers, and French Bulldogs. Surgical correction typically involves a combination of soft tissue and bone techniques to restore normal alignment of the kneecap. A 2024 study published in the American Journal of Veterinary Research found that surgery for patellar luxation may prevent cartilage erosion while improving patellofemoral alignment and gait — making early intervention particularly important. With surgical treatment, the outcome is good in approximately 88% of cases.
Femoral Head & Neck Ostectomy (FHO)
FHO is a surgical procedure that removes the head and neck of the femur, the ball of the hip joint, to eliminate painful bone-on-bone contact caused by hip dysplasia, fractures, dislocations, or severe arthritis. Once the diseased femoral head is removed, the body forms a functional false joint supported by surrounding muscle. Multiple studies have reported good or excellent owner satisfaction rates in 93–96% of cases following FHO, particularly in smaller dogs and cats. FHO is most appropriate when total hip replacement is not feasible and when medical management has failed to control pain.
Hip Luxation & TightRope Stabilization
A dislocated hip, where the femoral head is completely displaced from the hip socket, requires prompt surgical intervention. TightRope fixation is a minimally invasive technique that uses a strong synthetic material to reconstruct the round ligament and stabilize the hip joint, restoring function without the more invasive nature of full joint replacement.
Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO)
TPO is performed in young dogs, typically under 10 months of age, who have been diagnosed with hip laxity (looseness) that is likely to progress to painful hip arthritis. By rotating the acetabulum to better cover the femoral head, TPO improves joint mechanics and dramatically reduces the risk of developing crippling hip dysplasia. This is one of the few truly preventive orthopedic surgeries available in veterinary medicine, catching the problem before it becomes irreversible.
Fracture Repair
Broken bones in dogs and cats require careful assessment and skilled surgical fixation to heal correctly and restore full function. Dr. Smith performs fracture repair using plates, screws, pins, wires, and external fixators depending on the location, type, and complexity of the fracture. Prompt, accurate repair is essential, poorly managed fractures can lead to malunion, nonunion, chronic pain, and permanent lameness.
Elbow Arthroscopy for Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia encompasses several developmental abnormalities of the elbow joint, including fragmented coronoid process, osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD), and ununited anconeal process, that cause forelimb lameness and joint degeneration, particularly in large breeds. Arthroscopy allows Dr. Smith to evaluate and treat the elbow joint through small incisions using a camera and miniaturized instruments, offering faster recovery and less surgical trauma than traditional open approaches.
Joint Fusion (Carpal & Tarsal Arthrodesis)
When a joint is too severely damaged by trauma, ligament injury, or arthritis to be saved, arthrodesis, surgical fusion of the joint, can restore pain-free weight-bearing function. This is a complex procedure that requires precise planning and execution, and is reserved for cases where joint preservation is no longer possible.
Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) & Soft Palate Resection
BOAS is a collection of anatomical abnormalities affecting flat-faced breeds like French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers- including stenotic nares, an elongated soft palate, and excessive throat tissue that chronically obstruct the airway. For many of these dogs, simply breathing is an effort. Surgery is considered the standard of care for clinically significant BOAS, and early intervention before 2 years of age is associated with significantly better long-term outcomes. Dr. Smith performs soft palate resection, rhinoplasty, and removal of everted laryngeal saccules as needed — addressing each component contributing to obstruction in your individual pet. If your Frenchie, Pug, or Bulldog struggles to breathe on walks, snores heavily, or tires quickly, our team can evaluate whether they are a candidate.
Educational video by Dr. Zach Smith, DVM, DACVS — Board-Certified Veterinary Surgeon at The Animal Doctors of Orange County.
Advanced Soft Tissue Surgery
Specialist-Level Care, Inside Your Pet's Own Hospital
In addition to orthopedics, Dr. Smith performs advanced soft tissue surgical procedures that go beyond the scope of routine general practice. Having access to this level of expertise within your primary care hospital means faster diagnosis, better continuity of care, and no need to navigate unfamiliar specialty hospitals at some of the most stressful moments of pet ownership.
Liver Mass & Liver Lobectomy
Masses within the liver are among the more commonly diagnosed abdominal tumors in older dogs. Surgical removal via liver lobectomy, removal of an entire lobe of the liver, is often curative for benign masses and can significantly extend life expectancy for malignant ones when caught before spread.
Feline Urethral Obstruction & Perineal Urethrostomy (PU)
Male cats who experience recurrent urethral obstructions, a painful and potentially fatal emergency, may be candidates for perineal urethrostomy, a procedure that creates a permanently wider urethral opening to prevent future blockages. This is a quality-of-life changing surgery for cats who have suffered through multiple obstruction episodes.
Splenic Mass & Splenectomy
Splenic masses are common in dogs, particularly large breeds, and carry the risk of sudden, life-threatening internal bleeding if they rupture. Splenectomy, surgical removal of the spleen, is one of the most frequently performed emergency and elective abdominal surgeries in dogs. When performed promptly by an experienced surgeon, outcomes can be excellent, particularly for benign lesions.
Gallbladder Removal (Cholecystectomy)
Biliary mucocele, an abnormal accumulation of mucus within the gallbladder, is a potentially life-threatening condition in dogs that requires surgical removal of the gallbladder before rupture occurs. Dr. Smith performs cholecystectomy with the precision and experience this technically demanding procedure requires.
Megacolon & Subtotal Colectomy
Megacolon is a debilitating condition in cats where the colon becomes severely dilated and loses the ability to move waste, resulting in chronic, life-threatening constipation. When medical management fails, subtotal colectomy, removal of the majority of the affected colon, can provide lasting relief and dramatically improve quality of life.
Kidney Mass & Nephrectomy
Kidney masses, while less common than splenic or liver masses, occasionally require surgical removal of the affected kidney. When the remaining kidney is healthy and functional, nephrectomy can be curative or life-extending, particularly for localized tumors.
Cancerous Mass Removal
Surgical excision remains the most important treatment for many solid tumors in dogs and cats. Surgery is often the single most impactful intervention in veterinary oncology, complete surgical removal of a tumor is the most significant predictor of long-term outcome for many cancer types. Dr. Smith approaches every oncologic surgery with appropriate margins, staging awareness, and coordination with your pet's primary veterinarian and any oncology team involved in ongoing care.
How the Process Works
Board-Certified Surgery — Without Leaving Your Primary Hospital
One of the most distinctive things about our surgical partnership with Dr. Smith is how seamlessly it integrates with your pet's existing care. Here is how it works:
Consultation & Referral
Your primary veterinarian at The Animal Doctors will evaluate your pet and recommend an orthopedic or surgical consultation with Dr. Smith when appropriate. In many cases, this consultation happens right here at our facility — no unfamiliar offices, no referral runaround.
Surgical Planning
Dr. Smith reviews your pet’s history, diagnostic imaging, and exam findings to determine the most appropriate surgical approach. He discusses the procedure, expected outcomes, recovery timeline, and any questions you have directly — so you feel fully informed and confident before surgery day.
Surgery at Your Primary Hospital
Dr. Smith performs the procedure at our fully equipped surgical suite, at the same location where your pet already receives care. Your pet’s primary veterinarians are informed and involved throughout, and familiar faces are part of the process from start to finish.
Recovery, Follow-Up & Rehabilitation
Post-operative care is coordinated between Dr. Smith and your pet’s primary veterinarian, ensuring continuity throughout healing. Rehabilitation guidance, activity restrictions, rechecks, and any complications are managed with the full picture of your pet’s medical history in view — because your pet deserves a team, not a handoff.
Serving Dogs & Cats Throughout Orange County
Orthopedic & Advanced Surgical Care Near You
The Animal Doctors of Orange County offers board-certified orthopedic and advanced soft tissue surgical care for dogs and cats at our Buena Park, Anaheim, and Mission Viejo locations, serving families throughout Orange County including Fullerton, Cypress, La Palma, Garden Grove, Orange, Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo, and surrounding communities.
Whether you are searching for dog orthopedic surgery in Orange County, TPLO surgery near Anaheim, patellar luxation surgery in Buena Park, FHO surgery near Mission Viejo, or board-certified veterinary surgery in Orange County, CA — Dr. Smith and The Animal Doctors team are here for your pet.
- The Animal Doctors of Buena Park — (714) 521-4595
- The Animal Doctors of Anaheim — (714) 535-1141
- The Animal Doctors of Mission Viejo — (949) 472-3555
Your pet's mobility, comfort, and quality of life matter deeply to us. If your veterinarian has recommended an orthopedic or surgical consultation, we are ready when you are.
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