Companion Animal Orthopedic Surgery

• Cranial cruciate ligament rupture - Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy, lateral suture stabilization.
• Hip Dysplasia - Total hip replacement (cemented or cement-less prosthesis), triple pelvic osteotomy.
• Patellar dislocation. Elbow dysplasia, osteochondrosis
• Diagnostic and therapeutic arthroscopy / arthrotomy.

• Traumatic conditions of joints - Surgical treatment of dislocation, arthrodesis (surgical fusion of a joint).
• Fracture management - Pin and wire, external skeletal fixation, plate and screws (DCP, LC-DCP, locking CP), interlocking nail.
• Revision surgeries for failed primary fracture repair, arthrotomy and THR.
• Limb deformity - Corrective osteotomy including circular external skeletal fixation for limb lengthening (distraction osteogenesis).
• Osteosarcoma - Limb amputation and limb-sparing procedures.
• Immune-mediated joint disease
• Orthopedic breakdown in the canine athlete, greyhounds, agility dogs.

• Prolapsed intervertebral disc - Spinal decompression via hemilaminectomy, ventral slot.
• Cauda equina syndrome
• Spinal fracture / luxation
• Spinal neoplasia

The Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery service is under the direction of a board-certified - by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) or the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (ECVS)- attending faculty surgeon or chief surgical resident. Surgical residents, interns and final year veterinary students complete the service complement. Please check in at the small animal reception desk on arrival. 

A senior veterinary student or veterinary technician will take a complete medical history from you. 
Your companion will then undergo a preliminary examination. After this, the attending surgeon will review history and physical examination findings with you and formulate a plan for further diagnosis. 

For example, if radiography or ultrasound examinations are necessary, mild sedation may be required and imaging will be performed within 3-4 hours. You will be invited to return to review the results of these and other tests, and to discuss options for medical or surgical management. 

In general, more invasive diagnostic procedures such as biopsy and advanced imaging may need to be scheduled for a future date. 

If surgery is recommended, a date for surgery will be scheduled. In some instances, this may be possible on the day after the initial consultation; however, in most cases, this will be scheduled for a date in the future. 

As you will understand, patients with life threatening conditions in need of immediate surgical care will take priority, and this can delay your consultation. We ask for your patience and promise that we will strive to make your visit a helpful and satisfying experience. 

The Orthopedic service is under the direction of a board-certified (by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons or ACVS),  attending faculty surgeon or chief surgical resident. Surgical residents, registered veterinary technicians and veterinary assistants complete the service complement. Please check in at the reception desk upon arrival. If applicable, please bring a letter of referral from your veterinarian and any relevant medical records, radiographs or clinical pathology results.

A registered veterinary technician will take a complete medical history from you. Your dog or cat will then undergo a preliminary examination. After this, the attending surgeon will review history and physical examination findings with you and formulate a plan for further diagnosis.For example, if radiography or ultrasound examinations are necessary, mild sedation may be required and imaging will be performed within 3-4 hours. You will be invited to return to review the results of these and other tests, and to discuss options for medical or surgical management. In general, more invasive diagnostic procedures such as biopsy and advanced imaging are scheduled on the following day. 

As you will understand, patients with life threatening conditions in need of immediate surgical care will take priority and this can delay your consultation. We ask for your patience and promise that we will strive to make your visit a helpful and satisfying experience.