Orthopedic issues in dogs are common in a busy small animal veterinary practice. It’s becoming a more active society and frequently includes our canine companions in our athletic endeavors. Running, chasing a ball, or catching a Frisbee are excellent forms of exercise for dogs but can also cause injuries. Many breeds are predisposed genetically to muscular skeletal issues.
Diagnosis of Orthopedic Problems in Dogs
Symptoms of any orthopedic issues other than a minor injury should be evaluated by a veterinary professional as soon as possible. Even a little limping should be assessed if it lasts more than 48 hours. Minor fractures, muscular strains and damage, cancerous conditions, and even bone degeneration frequently have nearly identical symptoms, and imaging technology is commonly required to differentiate between the disorders.
The veterinary visit will typically begin with a thorough physical examination to assess your dog’s overall health, followed by diagnostic blood tests such as a complete blood count, urinalysis, and a biochemical profile to determine if there are any imbalances or infections that may be contributing to the immobility. X-ray imaging and ultrasound technology are frequently used to help visualize joints and bones.
Occasionally, a surgical imaging technique known as arthroscopy will be used to obtain a more precise visual image of any affected joints’ ligaments and tendons. This surgical procedure involves inserting an endoscope into the joint through a small incision to obtain pictures from within the joints.
These tests are frequently used to determine whether conditions such as bone trauma, arthritis, or osteochondritis contribute to the disorder. If the examining veterinarian suspects arthritis, a sample of the synovial fluid that lubricates they may evaluate the joint capsule. You can learn more about this by consulting a professional veterinarian.
Common Orthopedic Problems in Dogs
The four most typical orthopedic issues in canines are disc, patellar luxations, torn cruciate ligaments, and hip dysplasia.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a hereditary disease influenced by several factors. Large breed dogs, such as German Shepherd Dogs, Labradors, and Golden Retrievers, are much more prone to it. Treatment frequently entails taking anti-inflammatory medications from an animal pharmacy for the rest of one’s life, costing $2 to $3 daily. If the hips develop severe arthritis, titanium joint replacements, which cost between $2,000 and $3,000 per hip, are frequently required.
Preventive measures are essential, and weight significantly impacts the manifestation of hip dysplasia. It has been demonstrated that keeping your dog lean can reduce dysplasia by up to 30%. Weight loss is the most effective pain reliever in both dogs and humans.
Cruciate Ligament Tears
How often have you seen in the news that your favorite football player is out for the season due to an ACL tear? The anterior cranial cruciate ligament (ACL) is the ligament that keeps the knee in working order. Instead of a big linebacker tearing your dog’s knee, it is more likely a squirrel or rabbit that your dog chased (and never caught). The squirrel zigs, the dog zags, and the knee buckles. Torn cruciate ligaments in animals, like humans, must be surgically repaired to prevent crippling arthritis. Numerous surgical procedures are available, and the type used depends on the dog’s size, with prices ranging from $1,500 to $2,500.
Disc Disease
Like many of us, our dogs can suffer from disc problems in their necks and backs. Breeds such as Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, Dachshunds, and Lhasa Apsos can all have neck disc issues, whereas giant breed dogs frequently have chronic lower back issues. Most of these cases are treatable conservatively with the same medications used to treat hip dysplasia. When a disc ruptures, it becomes a surgical emergency.
The disc material can become lodged in the spinal canal or nerves, causing excruciating pain or paralysis. These surgeries must frequently be performed within hours to achieve good results. These emergency back surgeries can cost between $3,000 and $5,000. And it’s critical that you find a reputable veterinary surgeon that has been practicing for years.
Patellar Luxation
Knee cap problems are also common in many dog breeds. The patella, or kneecap, rests in a groove. The patellas of smaller dogs tend to slip out of the groove to the inside or medially, a condition is known as medial patellar luxation. In small dogs, medial patellar luxation is frequently repaired for $1,000 to $1,200. The patellas of larger dogs tend to slip to the outside or laterally. These dogs often have other more complicated problems with the bones of the leg, and thus repair can be more difficult, costing up to $3,500.
