Treating orthopaedic disease and trauma to maintain your pet’s playful and active self
It takes a village to raise a pet! And at Upper Village Veterinary Hospital in midtown Toronto, Ontario, every effort is made to minimize the risk of severe complications from degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis. Our veterinarian, Dr. Steven Davidson, collaborates with pet owners on wellness exams to monitor emerging conditions and detect problems early, preventing severe pain for your pet and improving their overall quality of life. Dr. Davidson also takes a special interest in surgery. He has the know-how and onsite capabilities to treat a range of orthopaedic conditions effectively, be it those associated with chronic degenerative diseases or traumatic injuries.
What falls under “orthopaedic” conditions?
Orthopaedic is the umbrella term for conditions that affect your pet’s skeletal structures, including the bones and joints. You may personally know orthopaedic conditions yourself if you ever had a sports injury, such as a sprain or fracture, or if you suffer from chronic back pain. If this sounds familiar, you can understand just how much pain these problems can cause in your pet and how they have a tremendous and negative impact on their day-to-day life.
How do I know if my dog needs treatment?
Ideally, you are maintaining regular wellness visits. Depending on your dog’s or cat’s age and health, these visits may be scheduled once or twice a year. Dr. Davidson performs a nose-to-tail check and will also order additional testing as needed to stay one big step ahead of any problems. That way, your pet stays healthy and happy. Even if you are not due for a visit at this time, it’s important to contact us right away should your pet display the following changes:
- A stiff gait
- Waddling or swaying when walking
- “Bunny hopping” (as a way to compensate for pain and imbalances)
- Limping
- Problems rising from a sleeping or seated position
- Changes in behaviour, such as no longer jumping onto their favourite chair or no longer engaging in play like they used to
These symptoms can be indicative of conditions like osteoarthritis (OA).
What is OA?
Like with human members of your family, OA refers to the inflammation and deterioration of parts of the joints – including cartilage, joint capsules, and supportive bone. In our canine friends, OA is often a secondary condition to other orthopaedic diseases and trauma, like cranial cruciate ligament ruptures and osteochondrosis. Osteoarthritis (OA) primarily results from the gradual wear and tear of the joints over time.
What are the most common orthopaedic problems in pets?
Common primary orthopaedic conditions include cranial cruciate ligament disease (CCLD) and hip dysplasia. The cranial cruciate ligament stabilizes the knee joint in the back leg and the middle joint. Dogs can experience either a partial or complete rupture, which leads to dysfunction of the rear legs and pain.
How do you treat this disease?
Surgery is usually the best option. However, as with other types of orthopaedic disease and trauma, the right course of action for your pet depends on factors such as their level of activity, size, age, and degree/severity of instability in the affected area.
Is there anything I can do to protect against some of these problems?
Many of the conditions mentioned here do have modifiable risk factors. For instance, excessive weight and poor physical condition are risk factors for OA and CCLD. During routine visits to Upper Village Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Davidson and our team can advise on activities, nutrition, supplements, and more to prevent or stave off the effects of these conditions. They may also be included in a treatment plan based on your pet’s current health and whether the condition requires therapeutic care.
If you are overdue for a visit, do not hesitate to contact our team in midtown Toronto, ON, today. When you call us at (647) 560-9276, be sure to inquire about our in-house wellness plans. They make maintaining routine visits and preventative services easy and affordable.
