Orthopedics
Orthopedic problems include injuries, diseases, and deformities that affect your pet’s musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, etc.).
These are physical problems that can hinder your pet’s ability to move around and function normally without pain. Left unaddressed, orthopedic problems will worsen over time, gradually becoming more painful for your pet.
Symptoms And Signs Of Orthopedic Problems In Pets
Orthopedic problems can cause pets pain and discomfort, affecting the way they move and hindering their activity level. Common signs and symptoms of orthopedic problems include:
- Favoring a limb
- Limping
- Stiffness
- Trouble sitting down or standing up
- Changed or different posture
- Reluctance to jump into or out of a vehicle, onto the bed, or off of the sofa
- Trembling
- Whimpering or unusual vocalization
- Appetite loss
- Lethargy and disinterest in play
- Elevated heart rate
- Inappropriate elimination / House soiling
Pets instinctively mask pain and discomfort, which can make it difficult to detect a problem early on. Any change in a pet’s behavior can indicate a medical problem. It is important to schedule a veterinary examination if you notice any difference in your pet’s energy level or activities.
Comprehensive Orthopedic Care For Pets
From diagnosis to treatment, at Insight Veterinary Wellness Center, we are proud to provide our patients with comprehensive orthopedic care.
Orthopedic Exams
During an orthopedic exam, our veterinarian will perform a complete physical evaluation of your pet to assess the balance and functional mobility of the musculoskeletal system.
Looking for signs of pain, imbalances, deformities, injury, and illness, we will evaluate your pet’s physical symmetry, gait, and muscle mass, while also examining their limbs, back, hips, neck, and paws.
Orthopedic Diagnostics
If a physical examination does not provide enough information to reach a definitive diagnosis, then further diagnostic testing may be necessary. Diagnostic tests could include blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, and/or CT scans.
With our in-house laboratory and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, we can provide a quick diagnosis and promptly recommend an effective treatment.
Orthopedic Surgery
Whether your pet’s orthopedic problem is the result of an injury, disease, or hereditary deformity, orthopedic surgery may be an option and also the most effective course of treatment.
Orthopedic surgery aims to correct musculoskeletal imbalances and injuries to relieve pain and discomfort, while also restoring functional mobility.
Additional Treatments For Orthopedic Problems
If your pet is not a candidate for orthopedic surgery, there are other treatment options available such as dietary supplements, weight management, and pain medications.
Our veterinarian will discuss the risks and benefits of every treatment option to help you make the best long-term choice for your pet.
Schedule An Orthopedic Exam At Insight Veterinary Wellness Center
If you notice any signs or symptoms of an orthopedic problem in your pet, we strongly encourage you to schedule an examination right away. Our veterinarian will evaluate your pet’s physical function and order further diagnostic testing, if necessary, to determine the appropriate treatment path.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Insight Veterinary Wellness Center today.
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