People

Karen Perry

BVM&S, CertSAS, DipECVS, MSc Vet Ed, FHEA, FRCVS

Professor (VMC-Campus)

Contact

614-292-3551 Veterinary Medical Center
601 Vernon L Tharp St.
Columbus, OH 43210
Map Link

Department

Veterinary Clinical Sciences

Karen Perry graduated from The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh in 2005. After a short period in mixed practice and an internship in small animal orthopedics Dr. Perry returned to the R(D)SVS to complete a residency in small animal surgery from 2007 to 2010. Following achievement of ECVS status in 2011, Dr. Perry joined the Royal Veterinary College (RVC), London as a lecturer in small animal orthopedics. 

After four years at the RVC Dr. Perry moved to Michigan State University, where she remained until 2026, progressing to become a Tenured Professor in Small Animal Orthopedics. In 2022, Dr. Perry also received an endowed, named professorship, becoming the Pat Carrigan Professor of Feline Health. Dr. Perry’s passion for veterinary education led her to pursue further qualifications in this ever-expanding field and in 2019, she completed her MSc in Veterinary Education. Dr. Perry is also an active member of AO; in addition to being international faculty, she also serves as chair of the AOVET NA education committee. Dr. Perry created the first AO Master Course in Feline Orthopedics and has presented her work throughout the world. 

In 2026, Dr. Perry transitioned to The Ohio State University as a Tenured Professor in Small Animal Orthopedics. 

Professional Training and Experience

  • Chair, AOVET North America Education Committee 2025-current
  • Member, AOVET North America Education Committee 2019-2025
  • AOVET International Faculty 2017-current
  • Fellowship working group for European College of Veterinary Surgeons
  • Member and subsequent chair of European College of Veterinary Surgeons Program Committee – 2020-2025
  • Consultant for Veterinary Information Network 2023-current
  • Associate Editor for Journal of Small Animal Practice 2018-current
  • Editorial Board for Companion Animal 2017-current
  • Examiner for BSAVA small animal surgery certificate

Administrative Service/Teaching

  • Chief of Small Animal Surgery, Michigan State University, 2019-2024
  • College of Veterinary Medicine Promotion & Tenure Committee 2022-2026
  • Co-Champion for Strategic Planning Committee 2021-2025
  • Department Advisory Committee 2018-2025
  • Wellness Advocate Program 2018-2026
  • Mentoring Program 2017-2026
  • Residency Committee 2016-2022
  • Veterinary Professional Curriculum at Michigan State University
    • Leader of curricular redevelopment for second year musculoskeletal course 
    • Moderator of second year musculoskeletal course 2018-2026
    • Moderator of orthopedic clinical clerkship 2018-2026
    • Contributor to additional DVM courses:
      • Clinical reasoning II and III
      • Principles of Diagnostic Imaging
      • Clinical Competencies
      • Integrated Basic Sciences

Dr. Perry’s research program is driven by one over-arching question … “is there a better way?” Her research is invariably inspired by patients which encourage the development of innovative solutions. Every current standard of care was once an innovation. Every device and every procedure was invented by someone who thought there was a better way, and as the field of surgery continues to grow and evolve, innovation is going to be critical for advancement. 

Dr. Perry has developed a clinical research program focused on feline orthopedics, reducing complications following orthopedic procedures generally and enhancing the ability to achieve true informed consent from clients. An additional research interest is in the field of veterinary education. 

A recent addition to her research portfolio is the investigation of gait analysis in cats using a pressure-sensitive treadmill. Having established the feasibility of this in orthopedically normal cats. Dr. Perry now plans to use this to objectively document and compare the results following various orthopedic surgeries in cats providing much-needed information to guide therapeutic decision-making in this species. 

An iteratively developing area of her research, which remains in the early phases, involves investigation into the potential for crystal-associated osteoarthritis in cats using polarized light microscopy and electron microscopy. Other developing areas include prospective studies using transcriptomics to further the research that she has published in the fields of both medial humeral epicondylitis and slipped capital femoral epiphyses in cats. 

Dr. Perry is passionate about the iterative improvement of the veterinary literature base generally. With a view to this she is currently involved in a collaborative project developing a new complication classification scheme in veterinary surgery. This has the potential to affect the veterinary literature base widely, facilitating the production of meaningful meta-analyses. 

Dr. Perry has published widely in the veterinary literature with her main clinical and research interests being feline orthopedics, traumatology, minimally invasive orthopedics, patellar luxation and total joint replacement. Dr. Perry has presented her work throughout the world including in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Spain, Italy, Poland and the UK. 

Awards and Honors

  • Pat Carrigan Endowed Professor of Feline Health - 2022-2026

  • Named one of the top 20 women to watch in 2023 by the American Animal Hospital Association

  • Guest Director for the Master’s Degree in Feline Medicine and Surgery for Technological University - the world’s largest online university

  • Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

  • Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons 

 

Publications

2026

  • Kahn SE, Marturello DM, West-Sommer AB, Rutherford S, Perry KL. Evaluation of Three Radiographic Femoral Projections for Accurate Assessment of Femoral Morphology. Accepted to American Journal of Veterinary Research in April 2026 
  • Barbeitos de Sousa K, Perry KL. Surgical Treatment for a Traumatic Laceration of the Common Calcaneal Tendon in a Skeletally Immature Cat. Accepted to Companion Animal in March 2026
  • Meneghetti LM, O’Neill SR, Perry KL*. Evaluation for Radiographic Changes in the Coxofemoral Joint and Proximal Femur Following Intramedullary Stabilization of Diaphyseal Femoral Fractures using Angle-Stable Interlocking Nails in Skeletally Immature Patients. Published in Early View, J Small Anim Pract https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.70129
  • Costa L, Perry KL, Low D, de la Olivia PL, Karlin M, Barnes K, Baker C, Rutherford S. Ventral Coxofemoral Luxation in Poodle Breeds: Multicentre Retrospective Case Series (2018-2023). Published in Early View, J Small Anim Pract https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.70130 
  • Marturello DM, Barbeitos de Sousa K, Boger BL, Shull SA, Perry KL*. Evaluation of a Pressure Sensitive Treadmill in Normal Cats. Published in Early View, J Small Anim Pract https://doi.org/10.1111/jsap.70131 
  • Hart EF, Chase D, Danielski A, Coomer A, Walker A, Cawardine D, von Pfeil D, Smith H, Calvo I, Grierson J, Perry KL, Nawrocki M, Jerram R, Adams R, Clarke S, Cox T, Chantziaras V, Farrell M. Inaccuracy in assessing reduction of humeral condylar fractures using digital radiography and its effect on the decision to return to surgery. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research 2026; 90(1): 36-45
  • Perry KL. Surgical Repair of Open Fractures. Accepted to Clinician’s Brief in March 2026

2025

  • Baldeon M, Perry KL. Medial Humeral Epicondylitis: A Retrospective Case Series of Nine Cats (17 elbows). J Fel Med Surg 25(7); https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X251347952
  • Perry KL, Wesslen R. Retrospective Analysis Following Clinical Application of the I-Loc Nail in 243 Traumatic Canine Fractures. Veterinary Surgery 2025; 54(8): 1549-1560
  • Jablonski SA, Marturello DM, Perry KL, Heilmann RM, Steiner JM, Langlois DK. Serum gastrointestinal biomarkers are transiently affected by elective orthopedic surgery and acute enteropathy in dogs. Am J Vet Res 2025; 86(10)
  • Langley-Hobbs S, Lopez Perez L, Gower J, Perry K. Osteochondrosis in the feline stifle: A case series and literature review. J Fel Med Surg 2025; 25(3): 1098612X241297823

2024

  • Marturello DM, Perry KL. Clinical Experience and Outcomes using a Commercially Available Micro-Plating System for Metabone Fractures in Dogs and Cats: 10 cases (2019-2023). J Small Anim Pract 2024; 65(10): 770-775
  • James JC, O’Neill S, Moore GE, Scotti K, Perry KL, Sterman AA. Complications and putative risk factors for cecal or colonic surgery in dogs: 79 cases (2002-2015). Veterinary Surgery 2024; 65(9): 675-681

2023

  • Marturello DM, James, JC, Perry KL, Dejardin LM. Accuracy of Anatomic 3-Dimensionally Printed Canine Humeral Models. Veterinary Surgery 2023; 52(1): 116-126
  • O’Neill S, Perry KL. Cross-Pin Stabilization of a Distal Femoral Physeal Fracture in a Miniature Rex Rabbit with Medium-Term Follow-Up. Companion Animal 2023; 28(1): 1-6
  • Meneghetti LM, Perry KL. Early Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis in Cats: Surmounting the Challenge. Veterinary Focus 2023; 33: 2
  • Sandness B, Bruce M, Perry KL*. Single Institution Retrospective Study Evaluating the Frequency of Implant Removal and Associated Risk Factors Following Open Fracture Fixation in 80 cases (2010-2020). BMC Vet Res 2023; 19: 119
  • Meneghetti LM, Perry KL. Management of Insufficiency Fractures Associated with Long-Term Bisphosphonate Therapy in a Cat. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports 2023; https://doi.org/10.1177/20551169231183752 
  • Clark J, Spinner M, Gallaher H, Perry K. Computed tomographic appearance, surgical management and outcome in a case of canine primary prostatic hemangiosarcoma. Vet Record Case Reports 2023; 11(4): e693

2022

  • Marturello DM, Perry KL, Dejardin LM. Feline I-Loc: 42 Fractures in 41 Cats. Veterinary Surgery 2022; 52: 17

2021

  • Perry KL, Dejardin LM. Canine Medial Patellar Luxation: A Review. Journal of Small Animal Practice 2021; 62(5): 315-335
    • One of the top 10 downloaded papers from JSAP in 2022
    • One of the top cited papers from JSAP in 2022
  • Bula E, Perry KL: Tibial Tuberosity Transposition Advancement for Treatment of Concomitant Cranial Cruciate Ligament Rupture and Medial Patellar Luxation in Four Feline Stifles. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports 2021; https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20551169211044695
  • Marturello DM, Perry KL, Dejardin LM. Clinical Application of the Small I-Loc Interlocking Nail in 30 Feline Fractures: A Prospective Study. Veterinary Surgery 2021; 50(3): 588-599
    One of the top cited papers from Veterinary Surgery in 2022
  • Porcel Sanchez MD, Perry KL. Fractures of the Femur. Companion Animal 2021; 26(5): 1-15 
  • Cesarano M, Sandness B, Perry KL*. Emergency Management of Open Fractures. Companion Animal 2021; 26(10): 1-12
  • Pawelec KM, Chakravarty S, Hix JML, Perry KL, van Holsbeeck L, Fajardo R, Shapiro E. Design Considerations to Facilitate Clinical Radiological Evaluation of Implantable Biomedical Structures. ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering 2021; https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01439 

2020

  • Perry KL, Frendo Londgren M, Vinten C. Perceptions of the Feedback Process: A Case Study of Veterinary Residents and Supervisors. Veterinary Record 2020; 187(11). DOI: 10.1136/vr.105792
  • Hartman EA, Perry KL, Dejardin LM. Minimally Invasive Osteosynthesis of a Distal Humeral Salter-Harris Type II Fracture by Percutaneous Pinning. Veterinary Record Case Reports 2020; 8(2). DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2020-001072
  • Perry KL. Tarsal Fractures: Part 1. Companion Animal 2020; 25(1): 31-36
  • Perry KL. Tarsal Fractures: Part 2. Companion Animal 2020; 25(3): 1-8
  • Dejardin LM, Perry KL, von Pfeil DJF, Guiot L. Interlocking Nails and Minimally Invasive Osteosynthesis. Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice 2020; 50(1): 67-100

2019

  • Perry KL, Frendo Londgren M, Vinten C. Perceptions of the Feedback Process: A Case Study of Veterinary Residents and Supervisors. Veterinary Record 2020; 187(11). DOI: 10.1136/vr.105792
  • Hartman EA, Perry KL, Dejardin LM. Minimally Invasive Osteosynthesis of a Distal Humeral Salter-Harris Type II Fracture by Percutaneous Pinning. Veterinary Record Case Reports 2020; 8(2). DOI: 10.1136/vetreccr-2020-001072
  • Perry KL. Tarsal Fractures: Part 1. Companion Animal 2020; 25(1): 31-36
  • Perry KL. Tarsal Fractures: Part 2. Companion Animal 2020; 25(3): 1-8
  • Dejardin LM, Perry KL, von Pfeil DJF, Guiot L. Interlocking Nails and Minimally Invasive Osteosynthesis. Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice 2020; 50(1): 67-100

2018

  • Perry KL, Woods S: Fractures of the Metabones and Phalanges in dogs and cats. Companion Animal 2018; 23(9): 498-508
  • Woods S, Perry KL: Fractures of the Carpus. Companion Animal 2018; 23(7): 368-375
  • Perry KL, Woods S: Principles of Articular Fracture Management. Companion Animal 2018; 23(1): 18-27
  • Perry KL, Woods S: Fracture Management in Growing Animals. Companion Animal 2018; 23(3): 120-129

2017

  • Perry KL, Adams RJ, Andrews S, Tewson C, Bruce M: Impact of femoral varus on complications and outcome associated with corrective surgery for medial patellar luxation. Veterinary Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2017; 30: 288-298
  • Fauron AF, Bruce M, James DR, Owen MA, Perry KL*: Surgical Stabilization of Concomitant Canine Medial Patellar Luxation and Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease. Effect of Fixation Method on Postoperative Complication Rate and Clinical Outcome. Veterinary Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2017; 30: 209-218
  • Perry KL: Surgical Management of Medial Humeral Epicondylitis, Cubital Synovial Osteochondromatosis and Humeroradial Subluxation in a Cat. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports 2017; 3: https://doi.org/10,1177/2055116917695053
  • Perry KL, Woods S: Fractures of the Scapula. Companion Animal 2017; 22(6): 340-348
  • Perry KL, Woods S: Humeral Fractures. Companion Animal 2017; 22(8): 454-464
  • Woods S, Perry KL: Fractures of the Radius and Ulna. Companion Animal 2017; 22(11): 670-680
  • Perry KL, Woods S: Fracture Treatment: Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail. Companion Animal 2017; 22: 120-125
  • Perry KL, Adams RJ, Woods S, Bruce M: Calcaneal Fractures in Non-Racing Dogs and Cats: Complications, Outcome and Associated Risk Factors. Veterinary Surgery 2017; 46: 39-51

2016

  • Perry KL: Tips and Tricks when faced with a non-localizable lameness. Companion Animal 2016; 21(7): 408-413
  • Perry KL: Management of Open Fractures. Part 1. Companion Animal, 2016, 21 (3): 165-169
  • Perry KL: Management of Open Fractures. Part 2: Companion Animal, 2016, 21 (4): 198-204
  • Perry KL: Feline Hip Dysplasia: A Challenge To Recognize and Treat. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2016, 18: 203-218 

2015

  • Perry KL, Rutherford L, Sajik D, Bruce M: A Preliminary Study of the Effect of Closed Incision Management with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Over High-Risk Incisions. BMC Vet Res, 2015, 11: 279
  • Perry KL, Bruce M, Woods S, Davies C, Heaps L, Arthurs G: Impact of Fixation Method on Postoperative Complication Rates Following Surgical Stabilization of Lateral Humeral Condylar Fractures in Dogs. Veterinary Surgery, 2015, 44: 246-255
  • Perry KL, Bruce M: Impact of Fixation Method on Postoperative Complication Rates Following Surgical Stabilization of Diaphyseal Tibial Fractures in Cats. Veterinary Comparative Orthopedics and Traumatology, 2015, 28: 109-115
  • Das S, Thorne R, Langley-Hobbs SJ, Perry KL, Burton NJ, Mosley JR: Patellar Ligament Rupture in the Cat: Repair Methods and Patient Outcomes in Seven Cases. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2015, 17 (4): 348-352
  • Perry KL: Pelvic Fractures in Cats. Companion Animal, 2015, 20 (5): 282-291
  • Perry KL: The Lame Cat: Alternative Causes of Non-Traumatic Lameness. Companion Animal, 2015, 20 (4): 196-201
  • Perry KL: The Lame Cat: Inflammatory Arthritis. Companion Animal, 2015, 20 (3): 148-155
  • Perry KL: The Lame Cat: Common Culprits of Non-Traumatic Lameness When Pain Localizes to the Elbow or Shoulder. Companion Animal, 2015, 20 (2): 86-91
  • Perry KL: The Lame Cat: Common Culprits of Non-Traumatic Lameness When Pain Localizes to the Stifle. Companion Animal, 2015, 20 (1): 26-32

2014

  • Perry KL, Li L: A retrospective study of the short-term complication rate following 750 elective elbow arthroscopies. Veterinary Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 2014, 27: 68-73 
  • Perry KL, Fordham A, Arthurs GI: The effect of neutering and breed on femoral and tibial physeal closure times in male and female domestic cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2014, 16(2): 149-156
  • Das S, Thorne R, Lorenz ND, Clarke SP, Madden M, Langley-Hobbs SJ, Perry KL, Burton NJ, Moores AL, Mosley JR: Patellar Ligament Rupture in the Dog: Repair Methods and Patient Outcomes in 43 Cases. The Veterinary Record, 2014, 175(15) 
  • Perry KL: The Lame Cat: Common Culprits of Non-Traumatic Lameness When Pain Localizes to the Hip. Companion Animal, 2014, 19 (12): 619-625
  • Perry KL: The Lame Cat: The Challenge of Degenerative Joint Disease. Companion Animal, 2014, 19 (11): 582-590
  • Perry KL: The Lame Cat: Optimizing Orthopedic Examination and Investigation. Companion Animal, 2014, 19 (10): 518-523 

2013

  •  Bristow PC, Perry KL, Halfacree ZJ, Lipscomb VJ: Use of vacuum-assisted closure to maintain viability of a skin flap in a dog. Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association 2013, 243: 863-868

2012

  • Perry KL, Lam R, Rutherford L, Arthurs GI: A case of scapular avulsion with concomitant scapular fracture in a cat. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 2012, 14(12):946-951 
  • Jordan CJ, Kulendra E, Perry KL, Halfacree ZJ: Management of peristomal tissue necrosis following prepubic urethrostomy in a cat. Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2012, 25(5):433-437

2011

  • Fitzpatrick N, Nikolaou C, Farrell M, Perry K, Girling S, Smith TJ, Yeadon R: The double arch modified type-1b external skeletal fixator. Technique description and functional outcome for surgical management of canine antebrachial limb deformities. Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2011, 24(5):374-382

2010

  • Perry K, Fitzpatrick N, Johnson J, Yeadon R: Headless self-compressing cannulated screw fixation for treatment of radial carpal bone fracture or fissure in dogs. Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2010, 23(2):94-101. 
  • Perry K, Fitzpatrick N: Tibial tuberosity advancement in two cats with cranial cruciate ligament deficiency. Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2010, 23(3):196-202