Orthopedic Issues in Pets with North Central Animal Hospital in Phoenix, AZ

When your pet experiences issues with their bones, joints, muscles, tendons, or ligaments, it can cause them extreme pain. If your dog or cat's mobility has decreased or they seem to be in pain when they move about, bring them to North Central Animal Hospital for an orthopedic exam. We'll do a thorough physical exam and take x-rays if necessary in order to determine what issues are plaguing your furry family member.

What Orthopedic Issues can a Vet Scan For?

There are a variety of orthopedic issues that may affect your pet. We have the skills, knowledge, and equipment to scan for all of these painful problems.

Most Common Orthopedic Issues in Dogs and Cats

• Arthritis - A chronic condition that may be caused by a progressive degeneration, infection, or immune disorder that affects the joints.
• Osteochondritis - Deformations in the skeletal system that happen during the developmental stage.
• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia - Abnormal development of hips and elbows due to a genetic condition.
• Cruciate Ligament Tears/Rupture - A tearing of the ligament in the knee due to trauma or progressive degeneration.

Other Conditions we can Scan For

• Biceps Tenosynovitis - Degeneration of the bicep tendons, often due to injury or overuse.
• Disc Disease/Herniated Disc - Degeneration or misalignment of the spinal discs.
• Bone Fractures
• Medial Patellar Luxation - Dislocation of the knee.

For the genetic disorders listed above, we can scan for them before your pet experiences pain. We recommend bringing your pet in early if their breed is at a high risk for developing certain genetic disorders. 

Orthopedic Surgery

Sometimes, orthopedic problems are bad enough that they require surgery. Pet surgery may take several forms, including:

• Arthroscopy. This is the least invasive option. It can usually be used to treat such conditions as cruciate ligament tears, biceps tenosynovitis, and osteochondritis.
• Total Knee Replacement. If arthroscopy isn't enough to fix a cruciate ligament tear/rupture, your pet will likely need a total knee replacement.
• Osteotomy. The removal or cutting of a bone to allow for better movement within a socket, such as when your pet has hip dysplasia.
• Total Hip Replacement. This is usually a better option for fixing hip dysplasia.
• Arthrodesis.  When a joint gets torn, arthrodesis is used to fuse it back together.
• Osteosynthesis. The process of fixing bone fractures. 

How We Help with Post-Operative Recovery

If your pet went through a major surgery, we may recommend that we observe your pet for some time. However, after many surgeries, your pet can go home the next day or even the same day.

Schedule an Appointment with North Central Animal Hospital in Phoenix, AZ Today!

If your pet is experiencing muscle, joint, ligament, tendon, or bone issues, visit North Central Animal Hospital. We'll examine your pet, help with orthopedic issues, and perform surgery if necessary. Call us at (602) 395-9773 or visit our Phoenix office at 20 W Dunlap Ave Phoenix, AZ  today to schedule an appointment.