About Dr. Christiansen's Specialties – Board-Certified Surgeon at Island Animal Hospital
At Island Animal Hospital, we are proud to have the expertise of Jeffrey Christiansen, DVM, DACVS (Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons) on our team.
After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Bioscience from the Pennsylvania State University in 1992, Dr. Christiansen gained his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1996 from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (where he met his wife, fellow veterinarian Wendy Christiansen). He then completed a rotating internship in medicine and surgery at New York City’s Animal Medical Center in 1997, after which he both established and was the first to complete the surgical internship program at Houston, Texas’ Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists. Dr. Christiansen completed his surgical residency at the University of Pennsylvania in 2001, after which he became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2002. Dr. Christiansen has practiced in Brevard County since January 2006, and runs Superior Veterinary Surgical (and less-invasive) Solutions, bringing board-certified specialist quality care to owners in a more convenient and affordable fashion.
When not doing surgery, Dr. Christiansen enjoys spending time with his family: His wife Wendy, son Henry, daughter Kate, dog, Consuela, cats (Elvis, Lamont, Shaniqua, & Yolanda), & chameleon Francesco. He also enjoys exercising and writing.
Dr. Christiansen is experienced in all manners of soft tissue surgery (stomach, intestine, liver, lung, bladder, tumor removal, reconstructive, etc.), orthopedic (fracture repair, joint surgeries, congenital deformities, etc.), and spinal surgery (especially disc disease in the back or neck).
Some special areas of interest include:
Artificial urethral sphincter:
Treatment for urinary incontinence associated with urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence. Placement of a cuff around the urethral that can be inflated or deflated via a subcutaneous (under the skin) inguinal (groin) port. Every patient studied showed significant improvement, and 70% regained full continence. Click here to learn more.
Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis (JPS):
Preventing/minimizing osteoarthritis secondary to canine hip dysplasia; accomplishes the benefits of bilateral/staged Triple Pelvic Osteotomies but without the major risks of sciatic injury, lameness/instability/extensive exercise restrictions, and extensive costs. Recommended for any dog with positive Ortilani sign – passive laxity of hips demonstrable on physical exam – much more sensitive (and at an earlier age than OFA films) – examine any breed at risk for CHD
Limitation – maximum benefit at 4 months of age. No benefit after 6 months of age. Click here to learn more.
Prophylactic gastropexy (surgical or endoscope assisted):
Prevention of the rapidly fatal gastric dilatation-volvulus syndrome, most common in giant and large breeds of dogs. Click here to read the article.
Stem Cell banking/therapy –
Osteoarthritis, bone/tendon/ligament healing, kidney failure, immune-mediated diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, peripheral nerve injuries, thrombosis/infarction (peripheral, cerebral, etc.). Can be harvested for future banking during any other surgical procedure.
Limitation – not currently recommended/approved for use in patients with known cancer. Click here to read more.
Subcutaneous ureteral bypass –
Surgical placement of a bypass for ureteral (between the kidney and bladder) obstruction (tumor, calculi (stones), stricture/scar tissue); essentially creates another ureter. Able to be flushed, cultured, and examined via a subcutaneous (under the skin) port. Click here to learn more.
Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA) Rapid –
Cutting edge surgical treatment for cranial cruciate ligament (equivalent to the human ACL/anterior cruciate ligament) tear/rupture; an incomplete cut through the bone and improved quality of the cage results in less invasive, more stable, more rapid healing, shorter surgical time. Click here to learn more.
Tracheal stenting –
Non-surgical placement of an intraluminal stent to treat tracheal collapse (both cervical/neck and intrathoracic), most common in toy breeds of dogs; markedly improves quality of life in severely affected patients. Click here to learn more.
Ureteral stenting (dog) –
Endoscope-assisted or surgical treatment of obstruction between the kidney and bladder (tumor, calculi (stones), stricture/scar tissue). Excellent alternate to surgery, which has high risk of leakage, stricture (obstruction via scar tissue). Click here to learn more.
Urethral stenting –
Non-surgical placement of an intraluminal stent to treat urethral obstruction, usually via tumor or stricture (scar tissue). Well-tolerated and restores quality of life to patients that would otherwise be euthanized due to inability to urinate. Click here to learn more.