Correcting Your Pet's Bone & Joint Issues
Orthopedic Injuries or diseases can affect bones, nerves, tendons, ligaments, or muscles. They can cause a great deal of pain, slowing your dog or cat's movements. You may notice that your once active companion is no longer as willing to run, jump, or walk like they used to.
When other treatment options prove ineffective for your pet's orthopedic issues, surgery maybe able to help reduce your pet's pain and discomfort and improve their quality of life. Even in severe cases, orthopedic surgeries can prevent recurring injuries and joint degeneration. We work with patients with a variety of problems such as cruciate tears and arthritis.
From planning and performing your pet's surgery to guiding you through post-operative care at home, we will do everything in our power to keep you and your pet as comfortable as possible.
Meet Our Orthopedic Surgeon
Dr. Dhakal shadowed our previous surgeon, Dr. Barth, for many years before becoming our resident orthopedic surgeon. He has taken the time to get to know the needs of each and every one of his patients.
Veterinary Orthopedic Surgeries
At Animals First Clinic, our surgeon offers the following orthopedic surgeries to treat bone and joint issues, and help dogs and cats get back to running and playing as comfortably as possible:
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Femoral Head Osteotomy (FHO)
This surgical procedure can treat numerous hip problems in cats and dogs, including dislocation, luxation, arthritis, and dysplasia.
During the surgery, the veterinarian will remove the femoral head, leaving your pet's hip socket empty. Your pet's leg muscles will initially hold the femur in place. Eventually, scar tissue will develop between the femur and the socket of the hip bone, creating a "false joint". The scar tissue will act as a cushion between your pet's bones.
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Surgical Fracture Repair
Fractures are some of the most common orthopedic problems diagnosed in dogs and cats. They usually happen due to an accident with a motor vehicle.
Sometimes, we can apply a cast to treat the broken bone. However, many fractures will require surgical intervention. Depending on the repair that is needed, the procedure may include one of the following techniques:
- Pinning - A long, stainless steel rod is inserted into the middle of the bone across the injured area to stabilize the fracture.
- Plating - The veterinarian can use screws to attach a flat, stainless steel plate to the bone on either side of the fracture.
- External Fixation – Pins are passed through the outside of the leg, through the skin, and into each bone and bone fragment, and out through the skin on either side of the fracture to stabilize a limb. Your veterinarian will then attach the ends of the pins protruding from the skin's surface to a rigid external frame that will hold them in the correct position.
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Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)
A veterinarian can perform this surgical procedure to repair tears in a dog or cat's cranial cruciate ligament (CCL). The procedure can help stabilize the stifle joint (similar to a human's knee joint), relieve pain, and prevent further damage.
During TPLO surgery, the veterinarian cuts the top of the tibia (the bone beneath the knee) and rotates it. Bone plates and screws are placed to stabilize the tibia. These changes impact the movement of the knee and compensate for loss of function in the CCL.
In many cases, pets will return to normal activities after recovering from this surgery.
FAQs About Orthopedic Surgery
If you still have questions about your pet's orthopedic surgery, read through our answers to the following:
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What happens during a veterinary pre-surgical orthopedic exam?
During the pre-surgical orthopedic exam, your veterinarian will assess the condition of your pet's joints, bones, and ligaments. This will help them determine if there are any problems affecting their health and mobility.
Your veterinarian will take the time to explain your pet's issue and conduct diagnostic tests, which may include X-rays or ultrasounds. Once the results are back, the veterinarian will recommend appropriate treatment options, which could include surgery.
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Will the surgery and consultation happen on the same day?
No. Your veterinarian will conduct diagnostic tests and an examination during the consultation appointment to pinpoint the nature of your pet's health problem.
Once we've received the test results from our lab, we can schedule your pet's appointment for orthopedic surgery.
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How long will the surgery take?
Orthopedic surgeries typically last between two to four hours, depending on the type of surgery being performed and on your pet’s specific condition.
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Does my pet have to stay at the hospital overnight either before or after the surgery?
Depending on the time of day that the surgery is scheduled, it may be necessary to drop your pet off the night before.
Many of our patients need to stay with us overnight after surgery so that we can monitor them as they recover. Depending on the type of surgery that is performed and how quickly they recover after anesthesia and surgery, your pet may be able to go home on the same day. Your veterinarian will let you know the requirements of your pet's specific procedure during your consultation.