Veterinary SurgeryRefer a case
About KVS · Kentucky & Southern Indiana
Meet Dr. Joshua Bruce, board-certified veterinary surgeon
Dr. Joshua A. Bruce, DVM, DACVS-SA, is the owner and surgeon of Kentucky Veterinary Surgery (KVS). KVS provides advanced specialty surgery: instead of sending your pet to a large specialty hospital, Dr. Bruce comes to the veterinary clinic your pet already knows and performs surgery there.
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Training and board certification
Dr. Bruce graduated from Auburn University's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2009. After veterinary school he completed about six years of additional training:
A rotating internship at Georgia Veterinary Specialists in Atlanta
A surgical internship at BluePearl in Kansas City
A surgical residency at BluePearl in Detroit, Michigan
He completed his residency in 2016 and became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) in 2017, as a Diplomate of the ACVS in small animal surgery (DACVS-SA).
Board certification means a veterinarian has completed an approved residency, met the ACVS credentialing requirements, and passed its examination. Not every veterinarian who performs advanced orthopedic or soft-tissue surgery is a board-certified surgeon.
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Experience
After his residency, Dr. Bruce was the surgeon at BluePearl in Louisville, and he has also practiced as a veterinary surgeon in Indianapolis. At the end of 2021 he started Kentucky Veterinary Surgery so that specialty surgery could be done in the clinics families already trust. He has performed thousands of TPLO procedures and performs hundreds of surgeries each year.
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How specialty surgery at your veterinarian's clinic works for you and your pet
- It starts with your veterinarian. Your primary veterinarian examines your pet, decides whether surgery may help, and refers the case to KVS. Bloodwork and radiographs are often done beforehand.
- Surgery happens at your own clinic. On surgery day you drop your pet off at your regular veterinarian's office. Their team prepares your pet, and Dr. Bruce brings his own sterilized specialty equipment and the implants needed for the procedure.
- You hear from the surgeon. Dr. Bruce personally calls you before surgery to answer any last questions and again afterward to explain what he found, what was done, and the plan for the rest of the day. He stays available to you after surgery as your pet recovers.
- Most pets go home the same evening, depending on the procedure, with written discharge instructions.
- Follow-up stays local. Rechecks are done with your primary veterinarian, and Dr. Bruce stays in close contact with them about your pet's recovery.
Your pet stays with the people they know, and your veterinarian remains part of every step.
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How do I get my pet seen?
Ask your primary veterinarian for a referral to Kentucky Veterinary Surgery. Because Dr. Bruce operates inside your veterinarian's clinic, your vet's clinic handles scheduling and provides your estimate. Once your pet is referred, Dr. Bruce will call you before and after surgery. Not sure whether your vet works with KVS? See our partner clinics. Booking times vary, but surgery is usually scheduled about 2–4 weeks out.
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Service area
KVS works with more than 50 partner veterinary clinics in the Louisville and Lexington areas, central Kentucky, and Southern Indiana. Find a partner clinic near you, or ask your veterinarian about a referral.
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Procedures
Orthopedic surgery
Common questions
Common questions
Is Dr. Bruce a board-certified surgeon?
Yes. Dr. Joshua A. Bruce is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in small animal surgery (DACVS-SA).
Where will my pet have surgery?
At your own veterinarian's clinic, if it partners with KVS. If your clinic doesn't yet, you can find a partner clinic near you.
How do I get my pet seen?
Ask your primary veterinarian for a referral to Kentucky Veterinary Surgery. Your vet's clinic handles scheduling and provides your estimate, and once your pet is referred, Dr. Bruce will call you before and after surgery.
Does KVS handle emergencies?
No. For an emergency, call your veterinarian during business hours or an emergency hospital after hours.
Next step
Start with the veterinary team who knows your pet.
Pet owners should contact their primary veterinarian. Veterinary teams can submit records and case details directly to KVS.
Find a partner clinic