VRCCO Advances Neurosurgery with Pituitary Surgery Success

BEND, Ore., September 23, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon (VRCCO) has advanced its capabilities in neurosurgery, particularly in brain surgery, by successfully performing a complex procedure on a feline patient. The center's medical travel program, designed to make long-distance veterinary care more manageable, facilitated the treatment of a ten-year-old cat named Mars, who traveled from Hoboken, New Jersey, for specialized care.

Mars was diagnosed with severe insulin-resistant diabetes mellitus and hypersomatotropism, a condition caused by a pituitary gland tumor that secretes excessive growth hormone. To manage his condition, Mars required an unprecedented twenty units of insulin per day, compared to the typical feline dose of one to two units. Left untreated, the excess growth hormone would have caused irreversible damage to his heart, joints, and kidneys.

VRCCO's board-certified neurologist, Dr. Annie Chen-Allen, DACVIM, led the surgical team that performed a Transsphenoidal Hypophysectomy (TSH) to remove the tumor. This procedure involves accessing the pituitary gland through the soft palate in the roof of the mouth, a delicate and precise operation. The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain and surrounded by major, life-sustaining blood vessels, necessitated a team with zero margin for error.

Chen-Allen, alongside her team, practiced the procedure extensively and used a custom, 3D-printed surgical template and a state-of-the-art 3D magnification camera system to navigate a tiny six-millimeter-by-three-millimeter window in the skull. The surgery, which has a historically high learning curve and mortality rate, was a testament to the collaborative nature of VRCCO's specialty team, which includes Dr. Tina Owen, DACVS, and Dr. Linda Martin, DACVECC. Together, they have completed over 30 pituitary surgeries in dogs and cats.

Following intensive post-operative management by VRCCO's critical care team, Mars made a remarkable recovery. His IGF-1 levels returned to normal, and his insulin dependency dropped dramatically. Today, back in New Jersey, Mars can finally jump again, a significant improvement from his previous condition.

To meet the growing regional and national demand for advanced neurological care, VRCCO has also welcomed board-certified veterinary neurologist Dr. Elizabeth Passmore, DVM, DACVIM-Neurology, to its medical team. Passmore, who founded the Neurology & Neurosurgery Service at Pet Specialists of Austin, brings her expertise to Central Oregon, where she will expand VRCCO's capacity to perform advanced neurosurgeries, provide rapid emergency consultations, and offer life-saving treatment options like the one performed on Mars.

The Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon, which offers the most advanced veterinary services to members of Bend, the Central Oregon community, and beyond, continues to solidify its position as a national destination for advanced animal healthcare. VRCCO provides 24/7 emergency care and board-certified expertise in surgery, dermatology, internal medicine, neurology, ophthalmology, oncology, and anesthesiology.