Orthopedics

Orthopedic issues affect your pet’s bones, joints, tendon and ligaments. Some pets are prone to orthopedic issues because of their breed, genetics, injuries or due to their age and lifestyle. The pain caused by these orthopedic problems can be overbearing for your loyal companion. Regardless of your pet’s condition, our team is committed to getting them the treatment they need. For more information give us a call at 604-591-5304.

What are common orthopedic problems in pets?

We can detect diseases in the musculoskeletal system with digital X-rays and ultrasounds to get images. For some of these orthopedic problems we are able to screen your pet for the disease much earlier. Our hospital can detect orthopedic issues with two methods: PennHIP method when pets are 16-weeks-old or OFA certification when they are 2-years-old. Here are the common orthopedic problems we diagnose in pets:

• Osteoarthritis (degenerative disease that develops when the cartilage between bones wears down causing joint pain)
• Hip dysplasia (both cats and dogs can have this problem. This happens when the hip joints loosen with time. It is more common in larger breed dogs.)
• Luxating patellas
• Cruciate ligament tears
• Trauma inflicted raptures

How do orthopedic issues affect my pet?

Your pet’s first instinct is to hide their symptoms to avoid looking weak. They will be in a lot of pain and depending on their condition it may worsen overtime. You may notice your pet is limping, shying away from activities they usually enjoy or becoming aggressive. The pain will disrupt their lifestyle and may cause them to lose their loveable personality.

What treatments might be recommended for my pet’s problem?

We create treatment plans based on the orthopedic issue your pet has and pet specific information like their lifestyle or weight. We may recommend a combination of the following:

1. Laser therapy
2. Surgery
3. Medication to manage pain
4. Weight loss