A specialist in small animal surgery is a veterinarian who has undergone additional training and education beyond veterinary school to become an expert in surgical procedures specifically tailored for small animals.
To become a specialist in small animal surgery, a veterinarian completes a rigorous training program called a residency. During this program, they receive extensive hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced surgeons and engage in research and academic activities related to surgery.
After completing the residency, they must pass a comprehensive examination to become board-certified by a recognised veterinary specialty organisation, such as the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS).
Mark is a registered specialist in Small Animal Surgery and the founder of VetSurg. Originally from New Zealand, Mark completed an internship in Ireland, several years in general practice in both New Zealand and Adelaide, and a surgical residency at the University of Sydney.
Mark became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2015. After spending four years as a lecturer in Small Animal Surgery at Murdoch University, and several years in private referral practice, Mark established VetSurg in 2023 to provide gold-standard orthopaedic referral services to pets in Western Australia.
As well as his clinical work Mark is particularly passionate about delivering continuing education to both general practitioners and other specialists. Mark is faculty member of AOVET, an international foundation dedicated to the teaching of orthopaedic surgery, and a regular contributor to the Centre for Advanced Veterinary Education (CAVE) courses, and a tutor in the Sydney University CVE Surgery distance education course.
He is also an active member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists and is a regular examiner at both the membership and fellowship level, as well as mentoring several candidates through their membership exams.
Mark is committed to acting as an advocate for patients, clients, and veterinarians alike.
Dr. Carla Appelgrein graduated from the University of Pretoria in 2010 before attaining Membership of the Australian & New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Small Animal Surgery in 2014. She began her specialist residency training in Small Animal Surgery at Murdoch University in 2016 and, upon completing her residency, worked as a Senior Lecturer at The Animal Hospital Murdoch University. In 2020, Carla became a Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons and is a registered specialist in Small Animal Surgery.
From 2023 to 2025, Carla was part of the surgical team at Perth Veterinary Specialists, where she worked closely with the oncology team to provide collaborative care for oncology patients. Carla joined VetSurg in 2025, and is passionate about multidisciplinary approaches to cancer treatment, ensuring optimal outcomes for her patients.
Carla has a particular interest in soft tissue surgery, including oncological procedures (such as tumour removals and reconstructive surgery), abdominal surgery, and brachycephalic surgery, an area in which she has published research. She is dedicated to providing the highest standard of care and treats every patient with the same compassion and commitment as she would her own pets.
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