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Dr. Jitender (Happy) Bhandal

BVSc & AH, DACVS-SA (Board-Certified Specialist in Small Animal Surgery)

Dr. Bhandal is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and a member of both the Veterinary Orthopedic Society and American Veterinary Medical Association. He earned his veterinary degree from the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry at Punjab Agricultural University.

Dr. Happy spent two years in private practice in British Columbia and California, gaining appreciation for the human-animal bond and the importance of compassionate client communications. He completed internships at Canada West Veterinary Specialists in Vancouver, and Ontario Veterinary Clinic at University of Guelph in Ontario, followed by an Orthopedic fellowship at University of California in Davis. He completed a 3-year surgical residency at Michigan Veterinary Specialists.

He is skilled in all aspects of orthopedic, soft tissue, oncologic, and neurologic surgical procedures. With his surgical training complete, Dr. Happy was delighted to return to Canada and provided his surgical specialty on both a referral and mobile basis in the Okanagan for the past 12 years. He is constantly thrilled to see the improved lives of so many cats and dogs that have benefitted from his surgical skills, and celebrate with their delighted pet parents.

To recharge, Dr. Happy enjoys spending time with his wife and two children and furry Teddie. He also enjoys cycling, running, and hiking, like so many BC residents!

Dr. Bhandal has co-authored several peer-reviewed research publications, and a book chapter.

Book Chapters:

Degner D.A, Bhandal J. Liver Lobe Torsion and Abscess; In Monnet E (ed): Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery. 2nd ed. Wiley-Blackwell, Ames, Iowa
PEER-REVIEWED MANUSCRIPTS
Bhandal J, Hayashi et al. Detection of bacterial DNA by PCR in dogs with stifle pathology. Vet Surg. 2013 Oct;42(7):814-8.

Bhandal J, Degner D et al. Histomorphometric Analysis of Full Thickness Skin Grafts Vet Surg. 2012 May;41(4).
Collins JE, Degner DA, Bhandal J. Use of an axial pattern skin flap based on the cranial cutaneous branch of the saphenous artery in the dog. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2011;24(4):307-10.

Boston SE, Bacon NJ, Culp WT, Bhandal J, Bruce C, Cavanaugh RP, Hamilton MH,
Lincoln JD, Liptak JM, Scharvogel S. Outcome after repair of a sarcoma-related pathologic fracture in dogs: a Veterinary Society of Surgical Oncology Retrospective Study. Vet Surg. 2011 Jun;40(4):431-7.

Bhandal J, Boston SE. Pathologic fracture in dogs with suspected or confirmed osteosarcoma. Vet Surg. 2011 Jun;40(4):423-30.

Bradford M, Degner DA, Bhandal J. Use of the angularis oris cutaneous flap for repair of a rostral mandibular skin defect in a cat. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol. 2011;24(4):303-6.

Hayashi K, Bhandal J, Rodriguez CO Jr, Kim SY, Entwistle R, Naydan D, Kapatkin A, Stover SM. Vascular distribution in ruptured canine cranial cruciate ligament. Vet Surg. 2011 Feb;40(2):198-203.

Hayashi K, Bhandal J, Kim SY, Rodriguez CO Jr, Entwistle R, Naydan D, Kapatkin A, Stover SM. Immunohistochemical and histomorphometric evaluation of vascular distribution in intact canine cranial cruciate ligament. Vet Surg. 2011 Feb;40(2):192-7.

Bhandal J, Head LL, Francis DA, Foster RA, Berrington A. Use of color flow Doppler ultrasonography to diagnose a bleeding neuroendocrine tumor in the gallbladder of a dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2009 Dec 1;235(11):1326-9.

Bhandal J, Kuzma A, Starrak G. Spontaneous left medial liver lobe torsion and left lateral lobe infarction in a rottweiler. Can Vet J. 2008 Oct;49(10):1002-4.

Bhandal J, Kuzma A. Tracheal rupture in a cat: diagnosis by computed tomography. Can Vet J. 2008 Jun;49(6):595-7.

Bhandal J, Kuzma A, Head L. Cecal inversion followed by ileocolic intussusception in a cat. Can Vet J. 2008 May;49(5):483-4.

Board-Certified Small Animal Surgeon