3 Common Knee Problems in Dogs and What to Know About Them
Dogs can suffer from knee problems just like humans, and just like with us, these problems can seriously affect their quality of life. Knowing what are the most common knee problems in dogs and how to spot them can help you react quickly and ensure better recovery for your pooch. Symptoms of Knee Problems in Dogs Physical injuries in dogs can be spotted similarly like we spot them in people. Pay...
Luxating Patellas: Pathology and Treatment Options
Patellar luxation (PL) is one of the most common hindlimb orthopedic pathologies seen in dogs and has been diagnosed in many other mammalian species as well. PL is the displacement of the patella out of the distal femoral patellar surface, or trochlea. The patella can displace, or luxate, medially or laterally. Patients with PL can present with varying degrees of lameness, ranging from asymptomatic to non–weightbearing on an affected limb....
Big Dogs Face More Joint Problems If Neutered Early
Heavier mixed-breed dogs have higher health risks if neutered or spayed early, according to a new study from researchers at the University of California, Davis. The study found mixed-breed dogs weighing more than 44 pounds as adults are at higher risk for one or more joint disorders if neutered before 1 year of age. Dogs weighing up to 43 pounds had no increased risk for joint problems. The study was published in...
Virtual Consults for Pets - Rehab, Conditioning, and Mobility Issues
Many of you are becoming familiar with telemedicine so that you can connect with your veterinarian for a virtual appointment. A Vital Vet Pet Video Consultation is different - it's a totally new concept in virtual consultation. Here's how: You do not have to be a client of the Vital Vet Pet Consultants Our Pet consultants are the best of the best - some names you might even recognize since they helped develop the certification...
Benefits of Rehabilitation After Your Dog’s TPLO
A knee surgery for your dog is a pretty penny, no doubt about it. (What is a TPLO?) And yet veterinarians agree that NOT doing surgery is a guarantee of ongoing arthritis problems, expenses and pain for your dog. Then why would you spend another pretty penny for rehabilitation? Simple answer: Protect your TPLO surgery investment. Look at it this way. If you put a new deck on your...
Rehab for a Torn CCL
Whether or not surgery is needed to correct a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament (CCL), rehab is necessary to get an injured dog back to normal again. Many orthopedic surgeons and rehabilitation veterinarians report that cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) ruptures or tears are the most common limb issues they treat. There are two cruciate ligaments — cranial and caudal — inside the stifle (knee) joint. They connect the femur to the...
Osteopathy to Improve Mobility After Routine Surgeries
Learn why osteopathy alleviates pain, restores freedom of movement and enhances the body’s innate healing abilities after routine surgeries. Osteopathy is a system of medicine based on manual manipulation. It alleviates pain, restores freedom of movement and enhances the body’s innate healing abilities. Though people often assume osteopathy is similar to chiropractic, it’s actually a whole body approach that considers fascia, viscera, vascular and lymphatic flow, and is not exclusively...
DOG ACL TEARS (CRANIAL CRUCIATE LIGAMENT TEAR)
What Is A Dog ACL Tear? First off it is important to understand that the terminology “dog acl tear” is actually a layman’s term. A veterinarian will refer to it as a cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs. To keep things simple though we will continue to use the term “dog acl.” In order to fully understand this injury it helps to have a basic understanding of the anatomy of...