Orthopedic Surgery

Nobody wants to see their pet in pain or have to undergo surgery. Sometimes, however, surgery is necessary to maintain a cat or dog’s health and quality of life. If you notice signs of musculoskeletal disease (such as limping, favoring a limb, or changing posture) or if your pet suffers an injury, orthopedic surgery can provide relief, restoring your pet’s musculoskeletal system and normal range of motion.

What Does Orthopedic Surgery Treat?

Conditions or injuries which damage your pet’s joints, muscles, bones, tendons, and ligaments can make it painful for your pet to play or move around normally. Orthopedic surgery focuses on repairing and restoring a pet’s musculoskeletal system with a variety of surgical procedures to facilitate pain-free activity and normal range of motion.

The Many Reasons Your Pet May Benefit From Orthopedic Surgery

Injury Repair: Surgery fixes fractures, ligament tears, and luxations, restoring mobility.
Pain Relief: Alleviates chronic pain from arthritis, dysplasia, and disc disease.
Joint Stabilization: Prevents joint instability and promotes healing.
Improved Mobility: Corrects deformities and removes obstacles hindering movement.
Prevention of Secondary Issues: Avoids muscle atrophy and joint deformities.
Enhanced Prognosis: Reduces recurrence risk and speeds up recovery.
Maintaining Activity: Enables return to sports, work, or regular exercise.
Prevention of Further Damage: Stops degeneration, preserving overall health.
Quality of Life Improvement: Enhances daily activities and overall well-being.

What to Expect During Orthopedic Surgery?

At Animal Wellness Center, we understand the stress that comes with your pet needing surgery. Our dedicated veterinarians prioritize your pet’s well-being, working closely with both you and your furry friend to ensure a smooth surgical experience from start to finish. Feel free to ask any questions you may have regarding what to expect before, during, and after your pet’s procedure.

Before your pet undergoes surgery, our veterinarian conducts a thorough physical examination, focusing on evaluating lameness, dog knee injuries, and Dog ACL (aka CrCL aka Cranial cruciate aka Cruciate) injuries. Additionally, we may recommend diagnostic tests such as X-rays to further evaluate these conditions, as well as any other concurrent orthopedic issues. A sedated orthopedic examination/evaluation may also be performed to gather comprehensive information. Depending on the findings, we offer various treatment options, including conservative management, medical treatment, or surgical correction.

Prior to surgery, we conduct pre-anesthetic bloodwork and other diagnostic screenings to ensure your pet is healthy enough for the procedure and anesthesia. This assessment helps us tailor anesthetic protocols to your pet’s specific needs and determine any necessary post-surgical medications.

During surgery, we utilize top-quality anesthetics and monitoring equipment to ensure your pet’s safety and comfort. Pain medications and antibiotics may be administered as needed to facilitate a smooth recovery process. For cases requiring surgical correction, we offer procedures such as TPLO (aka Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy), TTA (aka Tibial Tuberosity Advancement), and LFS (aka Lateral Fabellar Suture aka extracapsular repair). In cases of uncomplicated fractures, bone plating may be recommended.

Following your pet’s surgery, we promptly update you on their condition. Whether your pet returns home the same day or stays overnight at our facility, we provide detailed post-surgical instructions to ensure a speedy recovery with minimal discomfort. Additionally, for cases requiring ongoing care, such as brace fitting for dogs with orthopedic injuries, we offer comprehensive support and guidance.

At Animal Wellness Center, your pet’s comfort and well-being are our top priorities. Trust us to provide compassionate care and expert treatment throughout your pet’s orthopedic journey.

Additional Recovery Treatment

In addition to pain medications and antibiotics, we might recommend scheduling your pet for a post-surgery cold laser therapy appointment to accelerate healing, minimize scar tissue, reducing inflammation, and relieve pain.

Find Out How Orthopedic Surgery Can Improve Your Pet's Life

If your pet suffers from an injury, a musculoskeletal condition, or a disease that’s affecting his or her mobility and quality of life, we recommend scheduling an orthopedic surgery consultation with a veterinary surgeon at one of Animal Wellness Center’s five locations. We’ll examine your pet and use a few diagnostic tests to determine the least-invasive and most appropriate treatment plan.

Specialty Surgeries: Common Orthopedic Procedures

At Animal Wellness Center, we understand that pets are cherished members of the family, and their health and well-being are of utmost importance. That’s why we offer specialized advanced orthopedic surgeries to address a variety of musculoskeletal conditions and injuries. Our experienced team, led by Dr. Dan Borsdorf, is dedicated to providing compassionate care and advanced surgical solutions to improve your pet’s mobility, relieve pain, and enhance their quality of life.