The Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology came to be from splitting of the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Reproduction into Departments of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology and Theriogenology in 2016. This follows the creation/carving of the Department of Veterinary Surgery and Reproduction out from the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery in July 1976 when Veterinary Medicine achieved the status of a full Faculty. Hitherto, Veterinary Medicine was in the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Science.

The Department contributes to the training at the undergraduate level in Veterinary Surgery and Radiology. At the inception of the Department the two major areas of Surgery and Reproduction were examined as a two-paper Surgery Examination with Surgery and Reproduction examined as Paper I and II respectively. When the Faculty changed to the course system, like other Faculties of the University, courses were developed in General Surgery, Anesthesiology, Soft Tissue Surgery, Imaging, Orthopaedics as well as Gynaecology, Obstetrics, Andrology and Artificial Insemination and Paediatrics of all domestic animals. Upon splitting, and change to Subject system, Paper I now comprises Anaesthesia, Diagnostic Imaging and Surgical Principles while Paper II comprises Small & Large Animal Surgical Diseases, Orthopaedic and Operative Surgery.

The Department has postgraduate programmes in Veterinary Surgery and Radiology. The M.V.Sc and Ph.D degree programmes were approved as professional degrees in 1973 to emphasize the professional orientation of our Postgraduate programmes. In 1996, approval was also granted for the Department to commence Postgraduate Diploma Programmes with specialization in Surgery, Anaesthesia and Radiology, to widen the scope of advanced clinical training available for practicing Veterinarians. The Postgraduate Diploma and M.V.Sc in Surgery and Radiology are open to graduates of Veterinary Medicine.