Dog Orthopaedic Surgery

Dogs and Orthopaedic Issues

Brachycephalic dog breeds like bulldogs are prone to a wide range of orthopaedic problems due to their unique anatomy and genetic predispositions.

Their stocky build and short legs can place a lot of strain on joints. Generally, low activity levels and a tendency to gain weight can exacerbate joint stress, increasing the likelihood of injuries.

Breeding practices to preserve their distinctive physical traits have, unfortunately, also contributed to a higher prevalence of hereditary conditions. These affect their bones and joints, especially around the hips, shoulders, elbows, and knees.

Common Orthopaedic Conditions in Brachycephalic Breed

• Cruciate ligament ruptures: A cruciate ligament injury in dogs refers to damage in the knee, causing limping and pain in one or both hind limbs. 
  
  
• Patella luxation: A luxating patella in dogs is the dislocation of the kneecap, which can also cause pain in the hind limbs.

• Elbow dysplasia: Elbow dysplasia causes joint deformities that can lead to arthritis and reduced mobility in the front legs. 

• Hip dysplasia: Hip dysplasia in dogs can increase laxity and poor congruity between the pelvis and the hind leg. This can cause progressive damage to the hip joint, resulting in severe arthritis and mobility problems. 

• Osteoarthritis: especially prevalent due to high body weight and often lower exercise tolerance of these breeds.

• Spinal abnormalities: The specific anatomy of many of our brachycephalic breeds makes spinal abnormalities such as hemivertebrae and intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) much more common, leading to back pain and sometimes paralysis.

Soft tissue injuries, other joint injuries, and bone cancer are also possible.

A veterinarian will conduct a physical examination to test the movement in your dog’s limbs and to see where any pain might be located. Then, the most accurate way to interpret joint damage in your dog is to utilise the advanced diagnostic tools at one of our Sydney clinics.

Our vets use state-of-the-art diagnostic technology. This includes digital X-rays to get detailed imaging and CT scanners for in-depth joint and bone evaluations to better understand the extent of the condition.

Orthopaedic Pet Surgery Options

If your furry friend is suffering from something much more serious than a sprain or strain, sometimes, joint surgery for dogs is recommended to repair the damage.

Orthopedic surgery for dogs has many benefits. It can improve their well-being and extend their lifespan by providing pain relief, restoring mobility, correcting deformities, aiding in fast recovery, and preventing the progression of a painful or restrictive condition.

Here at Sydney Bulldog Clinic, we offer a range of orthopaedic surgical solutions tailored to dogs' unique needs. This includes (but is not limited to):

• Cruciate repair: Dog cruciate ligament surgery like tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO surgery for dogs) is ideal for stability and to significantly reduce pain and discomfort.
• Kneecap stabilisation:  Corrective surgery for patella luxation (also known as MPL surgery in dogs) is recommended to restore proper alignment and function of the kneecap.
• Hip surgery: Preventative procedures to improve hip conformation in affected dogs (based on x-rays), such as juvenile pubic symphysiodesis, as well as corrective or replacement procedures to improve joint function and reduce pain. 
• Elbow surgery: Corrective procedures to improve joint function and reduce pain.
• Fracture repair: Using plates, screws, or external fixation devices to promote rapid healing.

Other non-surgical options may include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, stem cell therapy and physiotherapy.

Don’t wait for your dog’s discomfort to worsen. Contact us today to discover how we can help!

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