In some cases, veterinarians at Fairfield may recommend that your pet be seen by a specialist at
one of our sister clinics.
Specialty services are available by referral from your regular veterinarian.
Referral forms for veterinarians can be found HERE.
one of our sister clinics.
Specialty services are available by referral from your regular veterinarian.
Referral forms for veterinarians can be found HERE.
Dr. Hans Gelens, DVM, MSc, Diplomate ACVIM, Past Diplomate ECVIM,
Adjunct Professor AVC Small Animal Internal Medicine Specialist Dr Hans Gelens is board certified in Small Animal Medicine by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine as well as the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. After years of teaching at the Atlantic Veterinary College (University of Prince Edward Island), as well as working in various specialty practices in BC and Ontario, Dr Gelens has settled in the Okanagan. Dr Gelens is available for internal medicine consults by referral at Fairfield Animal Hospital. Referring veterinarians can fill out Dr Gelens' online referral form HERE |
Dr. Kinga Gortel, D.V.M., MS Diplomate, ACVD
Dermatology Specialist Dr. Kinga Gortel has been in private dermatology practice since completing her dermatology residency in 1999. She practiced for 7 years in California then relocated to Canada in 2006. A native of Edmonton, she graduated from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 1995 and completed an internship, dermatology residency, and masters degree program at the University of Illinois. She became board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology in 1999. In addition to clinical practice, Dr. Gortel lectures in both the United States and Canada, and teaches veterinary students and interns. Her most recent publications include chapters in the Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine and the Veterinary Clinics of North America. Dr. Gortel sees dermatology referrals at Westbank Animal Care Hospital several days a month. |
Dr. Bianca Bauer, BSc, DVM, MSc, DACVO
Ophthalmology Specialist Dr. Bauer graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) in 2002 and worked in small animal private practice in Toronto, Ontario for 3 years. In 2005 Dr. Bauer returned to academia to pursue a small animal rotating internship at OVC followed by a residency and Masters of Science in Veterinary Ophthalmology at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Following the residency Dr. Bauer worked as an Associate Professor at the WCVM where she taught Veterinary Ophthalmology and Communications to undergraduate veterinary students, interns and residents until the fall of 2019. After leaving academia, Dr. Bauer decided to bring her skills to the Okanagan where she is the first Veterinary Ophthalmologist to reside and practice in the Okanagan. Dr Bauer consults by referral at Okanagan Animal Eye Care. |
Dr. Jitender Bhandal, BVSc & AH, Diplomate ACVS-SA
Surgical Specialist Dr Bhandal is an ACVS Board Certified Surgeon whose clinical practice is dedicated to surgery. He completed his ACVS approved residency in Small Animal Surgery at Michigan Veterinary Specialists, Auburn Hills and Southfield, MI. He also completed an Orthopedic Research Fellowship at UC Davis in California, and surgical internships in Vancouver and Saskatoon. Dr Bhandal brings advanced surgical skills to Westbank Animal Care Hospital, allowing us to offer procedures which formerly had to be referred to specialist centres. Among the surgeries we are now able to offer are complex orthopedic procedures such as TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) for Cranial Cruciate Repair, Brachiocephalic Airway syndrome surgery for brachiocephalic dogs (English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Pug, Pekinese, etc.) and spinal decompressive surgery, to name a few. |
Dr. Jessica Wales, D.V.M.
Ultrasonography Dr. Jessica Wales grew up in Lake Country and has been a part of Panorama Veterinary Services since birth. Her parents, Drs. Alex and Susan Wales, started Wales Veterinary Services in the 80’s and she joined the practice in 2010 after graduating from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon. Jessica enjoys general medicine and surgery, and has taken a special interest in ultrasound. Abdominal ultrasound has become a very important and routine tool in the work up for a variety of different cases. If a physical exam or history raises concern about the structure or function of an organ or system in the abdomen, ultrasound can be used to evaluate the size, location and tissue architecture of the area or organ of interest. Dr Wales consults by referral at Panorama Veterinary Services. |
Laser Therapy for Pets
Infrared laser light from therapy lasers harmlessly penetrates deep into tissues where it is absorbed in the cells, and this energy is converted into chemical, not thermal, energy. In athletic environments, therapy lasers are primarily used to reduce swelling, reduce pain, and speed the healing process. These mechanisms allow practitioners at Central Valley Veterinary Hospital to successfully treat a wide range of conditions non-invasively and without drugs. |