Global Veterinary Surgery

Dr. Ameet Singh joins us on the most recent Veterinary Surgery Podcast, discussing an article about folded flap palatoplasty and traditional staphylectomy techniques published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Veterinary Medicine Career Discussion

Jolle and Ameet discussed their paths into veterinary medicine, with Ameet explaining how his father’s work as a histology professor at a veterinary college in Canada influenced his decision to become a veterinarian. Ameet shared that he often meets current veterinarians who recognize him from his childhood visits to the college.

French Bulldog Soft Palate Study

Ameet presented findings from a study on soft palate geometry in French bulldogs undergoing airway surgery, reporting positive clinical outcomes when either surgical technique was used with aggressive implementation. Dr. Farrell, who is completing her final residency year, was identified as the lead veterinarian on the paper, with additional contributions from the Davis team led by Phil Mayhew. The study involved two institutions and examined both clinical outcomes and CT geometrical changes in the patients.

French Bulldog with Aortic Arch

Ameet shared that he and his family became French bulldog owners about a year ago, including a dog with a persistent right aortic arch that required surgery. When asked about the decision despite knowing about future surgical costs, Ameet admitted it was a “very weak moment” influenced by recently losing family dogs and a connection to the rescue. Ameet reported that the dog, now 1.5 years old, has been doing well despite living in cold winters and hot humid summers, and hasn’t yet required a BOA surgery.

Surgical Approach Discussion for Palatoplasty

Ameet and Jolle discussed surgical approaches for treating a patient’s condition, focusing on whether to perform folded flap palatoplasty or traditional staphylectomy. Ameet expressed a personal preference for the folded flap method due to its oral cavity finishing and exposure of the nasopharyngeal opening, though he acknowledged that other colleagues successfully use traditional staphylectomy. Ameet noted that the folded flap approach may have slightly more post-operative morbidity due to increased inflammation, and mentioned that Dr. Farrell has conducted follow-up trials on tradiational staphylectomy.

French Bulldog Staphylectomy Study Challenges

Ameet discussed challenges with a clinical study on staphylectomy in French bulldogs, noting difficulty in obtaining owner compliance for the required 3-month post-operative CT scans. Jolle observed that the high p-values in the ETT scores indicated the study would likely produce similar results even with additional patients. Ameet explained the difference between the traditional staphylectomy technique, which involves placing stay sutures at the soft palate tip, and the FPP technique, describing how the FPP approach has evolved to remove more cranial palate tissue toward the tonsillar crypts.

Folded Flap Palatoplasty Technique Discussion

Ameet and Jolle discussed the folded flap palatoplasty (FPP) technique, with Ameet explaining that it involves removing the mucosa and superficial muscle layer of the soft palate while folding it forward and suturing it into place. Ameet emphasized the importance of ensuring the nasopharyngeal opening remains unobstructed and highlighted that the technique is particularly useful in cases with difficult anesthesia. Jolle noted that while the FPP seems more complex than the traditional technique, it can be effective, especially for surgeons familiar with the transitional approach.

Palate Measurement Study Discussion

Ameet and Jolle discussed a study on palate measurement techniques, where Ameet explained that while they measured at three different spots (beginning, middle, and end) before and after surgery, the reviewers correctly pointed out that these points were not identical due to tissue changes during the procedure. Ameet acknowledged this limitation but defended their methodology, noting they did their best to standardize measurements across all dogs in the study. Jolle suggested that another potential issue could be that palate changes might occur over the three-month follow-up period, which was chosen as a compromise between owner convenience and adequate healing time.

Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome Treatments

Jolle and Ameet discussed a study on surgical techniques for brachycephalic airway syndrome in dogs, focusing on palate shortening procedures and other common treatments like alar fold and vestibular modifications. They noted that while most dogs showed improved breathing, about 50% had no change in exercise intolerance, highlighting the importance of setting realistic expectations with owners. Ameet explained that complications were minimal in their study due to strict inclusion criteria, with the most severe being temporary difficulty extubating, which was typically managed with overnight intubation or temporary tracheostomy tubes.

I was lucky enough to attend the AVMA Convention 2026 in Anaheim, California, a city known for a few things, and yes, Disney is one of them (though I’ll admit I never made it past the parking lot).

One of the things I got to do there was host a full day dedicated to podcasts: Veterinary Podcast Day, the first of its kind. It was a joy to bring together so many voices in our profession who are using this format to teach, connect, and just talk shop in a more human way.

The Veterinary Surgery Podcast was one of the shows highlighted that day, and I had the chance to sit down with Dr. Ken Gorczyca for a conversation about end of life care, a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough airtime in veterinary surgery circles, but touches every single one of us in practice. It was honest, a little heavy, and ultimately a conversation I think a lot of people needed to hear.

You can find the episode here: https://vimeo.com/1209703458/ff9d619656

While waiting for my flight, I began my usual gate-area treasure hunt: finding a good seat that wasn’t already claimed by… luggage. Apparently, blocking open seats with bags — once a COVID-era social distancing hack — has now become the unofficial sport of post-pandemic travel.

I maneuvered through this obstacle course of Samsonites and suspicious carry-ons with the stealth of a cat… until I accidentally bumped into a lady’s outstretched leg. I was ready to glare — until I saw the brace. Cue my immediate “Oh, sorry!” Canadian-style. She rewarded me with a look so icy it could have doubled as an Air Canada in-flight beverage. Still, “sorry” is the magic word in Canada, so I felt my trip was off to a culturally appropriate start.

I finally spotted an empty seat… guarded by a wall of luggage that was clearly pushing Delta’s two-bag policy into the realm of “Do you own a shipping company?” I squeezed past. The girl next to me looked irritated and asked, “Is my luggage in your way?” I nodded. She moved it and immediately continued her public insta live-stream rant about her love for everything IKEA to what I presume was her boyfriend — or possibly her hostage — who could only nod while she peppered every other sentence with a Gen Z “like.” Like, I love IKEA.

I decided to test-drive my new coping method: “Let Them.” Let them overshare. Let them overpack. Let them IKEA. I zenned out.

Landing in Toronto, I met my Uber driver, a young Filipino guy named Ramon. He and his mom moved to Canada about ten years ago from Manila. He arrived in July, thought the weather was fine… until winter hit. His first snowflakes were followed by months where the temperature didn’t dare cross zero. “It took some adjustment,” he said, “but I love it here.”

Manila, he told me, is great — except for traffic that makes Toronto’s rush hour look like a Sunday bike ride. “Toronto people complain about traffic, but they’ve never been to Manila,” he grinned.

Dangling from his keys was a Labubu doll, apparently the craze right now. His aunt in Manila gave him two — one he kept, one for his mom. People will pay good money for these, unbox them on social media, and pray for a rare one. They even make tiny outfits for them. Sadly, none in Canadian Mountie red, though I did spot a particularly macho lumberjack set with shorts.

When I asked for the best restaurant in Toronto, he laughed. “If you want Filipino food, prepare for an early heart attack — it’s rich, but delicious.” He recommended his favorite, Tapuan.

Toronto really is a city of a thousand faces — and if you ignore the traffic, it’s a pretty wonderful place to stay.

This morning I woke up early in Washington, D.C., where I’m attending the 2025 AVMA Convention. After a stretch of back-to-back meetings and what feels like months away from home, I needed a little time to breathe. So I took a sunrise stroll down the National Mall—from the Capitol to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial—soaking in the calm before the city turned into a humid oven (90s and sticky is the forecasted fashion this week).

This AVMA has been extra special for me—I was scheduled for my very first DJ set! Yes, really. Ever since my student days in the Netherlands, I’ve dreamed of spinning tracks in front of a crowd. I even auditioned for a local club back then, only to realize that knowing how to play music was just as important as what you played. My musical taste scored points—but my inability to keep the gear from crashing didn’t help my case.

Just before moving to the U.S., a good friend and I made a pact to go to DJ school together. That plan never saw daylight, but he gave me a mix panel as a farewell gift—one that stayed boxed up in my garage for 12 years… until now.

When I got the invite to play a set at AVMA, I dusted it off, plugged it in—and to everyone’s surprise, it actually worked! I practiced for weeks, ready to light up the party and maybe even pave the way to Coachella or Ibiza (a vet can dream, right?).

But fate had other plans. My flight from Salt Lake City was diverted to Philadelphia, the crew timed out, and by the time I made it to D.C., my DJ slot had passed. No beats, just baggage.

Still, as I walked past the iconic monuments and world-class museums this morning, I was reminded how lucky we are. Lucky to gather with amazing people in our field. Lucky to celebrate the work we do in veterinary medicine. And lucky that—even when the gig doesn’t happen—the joy of the journey is still very real.

Coachella can wait another year.

He has to drag himself out of bed at 3:30 am every morning to get to the Navy base on Coronado Island—right around the same time I’m power-walking along the beach at 6 am, pretending it’s for exercise and not just an excuse to procrastinate before my company’s week-long meeting. The sun is just waking up too, lazily stretching over the horizon, while the sea looks all misty and poetic, like it’s posing for an early morning photoshoot. It pulls back from the beach, glistening and inviting… until you spot the helpful little signs that say: “Don’t swim unless you want to marinate in Tijuana’s finest bacteria.” Apparently, the nearby city generously donates its wastewater to the Pacific, and if the current decides to head our way—no swimming for you.

Now, about my Uber driver. After his 4-to-4 Navy shift, he hops into his Tesla and drives until 7 pm. “I love driving,” he says, “so it’s no problem.” The man is from Vietnam and came to the U.S. with his parents in the early 2000s. After a short stay somewhere up north (too cold) and a few years in Texas (too hot), he landed on San Diego—just right. He joined the Navy and now gets to enjoy endless 80-degree days with clouds that politely burn off once the sun decides to show up.

I tell him I’ve been to Vietnam—Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, where we did a dreamy 3-day cruise. Towering limestone cliffs rising from emerald waters, fishing boats bobbing in the mist—it was magical. He hasn’t been back in 30 years. Most of his family is still there, but it’s complicated, he says. Easier to stay here.

He’s currently on shore duty, which rotates every few years with ship duty. Sounds exciting until you realize “exotic ports” mostly mean long stretches in tiny metal rooms floating at sea. I tell him I’m a vet. “I’m a cook!” he replies. We talk about feeding large crowds and he says what you get to eat kind of depends on who you are. “Did you see the seals working out on the beach?” he asks. “Nope,” I say, “only a lady telling me to avoid the bird-protected zone.” He chuckles and tells me seals have very specific diets and eat as much as they want. “Just like working dogs,” I say. “Special jobs, special meals.” He laughs, hits a button, and the Tesla door glides open like a spaceship.

And just like that, I float back to reality.

Addendum: I am saddened by the boat accident today at Ha Long Bay and think of the lives lost there