Orthopedics

Leg fractures are the most common orthopedic problem presented at our clinic and usually result from a mishap with an automobile. They can be treated in a variety of ways depending on the location and type of fracture.

In some cases, we can apply a cast to treat certain fractures; however, many fractures will require surgical intervention. These interventions include:

• Pinning - This will stabilize the fracture by inserting a long stainless steel rod into the middle of the bone across the fractured area.
• Plating - We can attach a flat stainless steel plate to the bone using screws on either side of the fracture.
• External fixation - This helps stabilize fractures using a series of pins on the outside of the leg that pass through the skin and into the bone on either side of the fracture.

If a dog has torn their cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), they may need to undergo ​​TTA surgery. This surgical procedure involves reshaping the top of the shin bone (the tibia), allowing the knee to gain back stability when it is bearing weight. This makes surgical repair on the ligament itself, unnecessary. 

TTA surgery can be excellent procedure for the treatment of cranial cruciate ligament injuries in dogs and cats but it is especially helpful for larger, more athletic dogs.

A femoral head ostectomy, or FHO, is a surgical procedure that aims to restore pain-free mobility to a diseased or damaged hip by removing the head and neck of the femur (the long leg bone or thighbone).

This procedure is primarily recommended for small dogs (under approximately 45 pounds) and cats, especially those who are at a healthy weight. The false joint that is created in an FHO works very well to support the weight of small animals but may be less effective in large-breed dogs. There are exceptions, however, and veterinarians may recommend an FHO for a dog over 50 pounds if the specifics of the case dictate that doing so would be appropriate.

This is a common surgical technique used in the veterinary world to address cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries in dogs.

During the surgical consultation, we will perform a physical exam and review your dog or cat's medical history. We will also undertake blood work (if necessary) and any other diagnostic tests needed to determine the nature of your pet's condition.

Diagnostics may include X-rays, an ultrasound, or biopsies. Once the results are back, a plan for surgery is developed and discussed with you.

No. The consultation appointment is required for testing and examination, to determine the nature of your pet's health problem.

Once any diagnostic test results have come back from our lab, a surgery appointment can be scheduled.

Orthopedic surgeries typically take anywhere from one to three hours, depending on the type of surgery being performed and on your companion's specific condition.

We do recommend that some orthopedic surgery patients stay overnight. The majority of surgeries performed at Selkirk Veterinary Hospital are considered day surgeries, meaning that your dog or cat will go home the day of the procedure.