Just like humans, furry friends deal with a range of orthopedic (musculoskeletal) conditions. Factors like genetics, age and injuries can predispose your pet to these issues. Whether your pet needs rehabilitation, surgery or other treatment options, our veterinary team is here to support them. To discuss our orthopedic services, please contact us at 604-464-6666.
What conditions do cats deal with?
Some orthopedic issues are easier to recover from without lots of support whereas others need more attention and care. Your cat’s quality of life and mobility can be impacted by issues like arthritis, hip dysplasia and fractures. As the cartilage wears away between your pet’s joints, pets who have arthritis will experience inflammation and discomfort. The areas your pet could be most affected include their hips, knees, ankles and elbows. Hip dysplasia happens when your pet’s hip joints loosen over time, causing pain and swelling. This means their physical strength decreases. Your pet’s shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee and ankle joints are most likely to get fractured. This causes swelling in the joints, pain and lameness.
What conditions do dogs deal with?
Just like with cats, some orthopedic issues will require more medical attention, depending on the severity of your pet’s condition. Our goal is to support your pet so their quality of life and mobility are not as impacted by conditions like hip dysplasia, cruciate ligament tears and luxating patellas. Hip dysplasia in dogs is genetic, with bigger breeds like German Shepherds and Labradors being more likely to develop it. Pets who are overweight also put added strain on their hips, which predisposes them to the condition. Both cruciate ligament tears and luxating patellas impact your pet’s knees, which could worsen if they develop arthritis.
What treatments are available?
Depending on your pet’s specific condition, we’ll develop a treatment plan. This could include one or a combination of the following:
- Medication
- Surgery
- Rehabilitation
- Weight loss
