Saturday, August 3, 2013

When Dog Ligament Surgery Becomes A Necessity

By Cathy Mercer


Dogs suffering from a cruciate injury will often become lame in the one leg. It will impact on the normal function and condition of the joint that includes cartilage, tendons, nerves, and muscle. The veterinarian will require a complete physical assessment to determine the extent of damage and whether dog ligament surgery will be the next best step towards recovery.

A cruciate ligament injury often occurs in canines over the age of 4 and can result from sudden or chronic joint injury, obesity, and hereditary factors. It is important to have your pet checked by the vet as soon as such conditions develop to ensure the correct measures are put in place in the shortest period of time. There are number of signs to look for that indicate the damage has occurred.

In the event of chronic injuries, the canine will display only mild lameness that may appear to improve with rest, but eventually worsen over time. Acute damage to the ligaments involve the sudden lameness of the animal most often in the hind leg after running, jumping, and other forms of rigorous activity. The rupture may be detected with hind leg limping, toe touching while resting, lack of interest in walking, yelping to the touch, and possible muscle atrophy.

If you have noticed your pet exhibiting these symptoms, it is necessary to visit the local vet as soon as possible. Delaying treatment will simply lead to additional problems that may have been avoided. It often results in the development of swelling, accumulation of fluid in the joints, knee strain, and possible development of arthritis.

Based on the completion of a physical and a digital examination a diagnosis may be provided. The vet will often apply a sedative or anesthetic to feel the affected joint and prevent possible discomfort for the animal. Surgery is only advised one the X-rays confirm the presence of this condition and whether the animal qualified for such intervention.

The main form of treatment is surgery. This type of intervention will involve the cleaning of the joint by means of a thorough inspection, removing damaged cartilage, and having to replace the poor ligament with a prosthesis. The veterinarian will advise on the procedure based on the age and size of dog and the extent of the injury.

It is important to have a thorough physical evaluation implemented so that the best means of intervention may be advised and meet the individual needs of pets. This condition can be highly complex and therefore the professional cannot adopt a one fit all approach. A suitable healing plan will advise on the use of supplements for joint recovery, medication for discomfort, and therapy.

If surgical intervention is not performed, it will simply contribute to the development of degeneration such as arthritis. The aim for dog ligament surgery is to aid in stabilizing the joint so that adequate healing may take place and normal functioning resumed. The vet will advise on the appropriate procedure and the recovery methods that should be put in place for the health and well being of all animals.




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