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Our dedicated team of veterinarians is equipped to perform a wide range of surgical procedures, from routine surgeries to more advanced orthopedic operations. We understand that surgery can be stressful for both you and your pet, which is why we prioritize compassionate care and thorough communication throughout the entire process. Whether your pet needs a routine procedure or a more complex operation, we are committed to delivering the best possible outcomes.
Our skilled veterinarians have extensive experience performing in a variety of orthopedic surgeries, helping to restore mobility and relieve pain in pets suffering from conditions like torn ligaments, dislocated kneecaps, and fractures.
We offer Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) surgery, a highly effective treatment for dogs with cruciate ligament injuries. This procedure helps to stabilize the knee and allows for quicker recovery and a return to normal activity.
Several clinical pictures are seen with ruptured cruciate ligaments. One is a young athletic dog playing roughly who takes a bad step and injures the knee. This is usually a sudden lameness in a young dog. On the other hand, a middle aged or older dog, especially if overweight, can have weakened ligaments and slowly stretch or partially tear them. In this type of patient, stepping down off the bed or a small jump can be all it takes to break the ligament.
As often the underlying reason for the tear is a gradual weakening of the cruciate ligaments, the problem often occurs in the other hind leg’s knee joint as well within a few months to a year or two. Owners therefore should be prepared for the possibility of another surgery in this time frame.
The ruptured cruciate ligament is the most common knee injury of dogs; in fact, chances are that any dog with sudden rear leg lameness has a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament rather than something else. The history usually involves a rear leg suddenly so sore that the dog can hardly bear weight on it. If left alone, it will appear to improve over the course of a week or two but the knee will be notably swollen and arthritis will set in over time.
Several clinical pictures are seen with ruptured cruciate ligaments. One is a young athletic dog playing roughly who takes a bad step and injures the knee. This is usually a sudden lameness in a young dog. On the other hand, a middle aged or older dog, especially if overweight, can have weakened ligaments and slowly stretch or partially tear them. In this type of patient, stepping down off the bed or a small jump can be all it takes to break the ligament.
As often the underlying reason for the tear is a gradual weakening of the cruciate ligaments, the problem often occurs in the other hind leg’s knee joint as well within a few months to a year or two. Owners therefore should be prepared for the possibility of another surgery in this time frame.
The ruptured cruciate ligament is the most common knee injury of dogs; in fact, chances are that any dog with sudden rear leg lameness has a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament rather than something else. The history usually involves a rear leg suddenly so sore that the dog can hardly bear weight on it. If left alone, it will appear to improve over the course of a week or two but the knee will be notably swollen and arthritis will set in over time.
Due to the cruciate ligament being damaged, the knee is no longer able to support weight when walking and standing. As the ligament is ruptured or weak, it cannot be repaired. To correct the problem we change the slope of the knee and the ligament is no longer necessary for support.
For pets with dislocated kneeca ps, we provide corrective surgery that realigns the knee joint and prevents further discomfort or damage.
Patellar luxation is a common developmental abnormality in dogs, especially small and medium sized breeds, which can cause varying degrees of lameness and development of arthritis over time. The solution is surgical realignment of the knee cap, here at Gibsons Veterinary Hospital we perform patellar luxation surgery.
Our team is experienced in repairing fractures using the latest surgical techniques to ensure proper healing and restored function.
The most common methods of fracture fixation are internal plate fixation and external skeletal fixation, although often a combined number of techniques may be required.
Plate (internal) fixation involves the placement of plates and screws directly on the bone to stabilise the fracture while it heals (see the picture above). Plates generally stay in your pet and are not removed.
External skeletal fixation (below) involves the placement of pins through the skin into the bone that are then connected by a bar outside the leg. These pins are removed when the bone has healed.
Your pet will go home as soon as they are stable, mobile and no longer in need of intravenous treatment. Discharge may be on the same day of surgery, although often a day or more of hospitalization may be required post operatively. Your pet will be sent home with painkillers and if necessary, antibiotics.
After surgery it will be a necessity for your pet to be strictly rested, often complete rest in a cage, to allow the bone to heal. There is often substantial bruising post operatively, so it’s quite common that your pet may not want to walk on the affected limb.
Once the bruising has gone down often pets feel much better and do not understand that they need to continue to rest. Fractures generally require 8-12 weeks rest. We know that the rest period may sound long, but remember, if your pets is not rested this may lead to damage of the implants, which can lead to serious complications. After 6-8 weeks we will re-radiograph your pet to assess healing and formulate a plan regarding exercise and possible implant removal.
Most pets recover very well following fracture repair and go back to a normal life with normal levels of exercise.
In addition to orthopedic procedures, we perform a variety of soft tissue surgeries to address internal issues, such as tumor removals, spaying and neutering, and gastrointestinal surgeries. These procedures are carried out with precision and care to ensure the best possible outcome for your pet’s health.
With over 20 years of experience, our veterinarians are highly skilled in performing both routine and complex surgical procedures. We use state-of-the-art equipment and the latest surgical techniques to ensure your pet receives the best care possible. Our team provides continuous monitoring before, during, and after surgery to ensure a smooth recovery. You can trust that your pet will be treated with compassion and expertise at every step of the surgical process.
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