Pets, like humans, sometimes need to have surgery to get back on the path to health. It could be for a very common reason such as spay or neuter, or could be after an accident has left them broken and bruised. It may be a small tumor that needs removal, or it could be an entire reconstruction of facial features after blunt trauma. Regardless of the cause, finding the best surgical veterinarian means your dog or cat can get on the road to recovery sooner rather than later.
Orthopedic surgery for the active or senior dog
Orthopedics is the medical branch that focuses on the bones and skeletal system, including joints, tendons and ligaments. Active dogs, such as those involved in agility competitions or the ones who just play harder than average can be at risk of pulling muscles or damaging tendons due to the high level of activity placed on those areas. Senior dogs commonly face orthopedic issues most commonly stemming from arthritis and inflammation of the tendons and joints, and can even injure themselves or strain ligaments from walking across tile floors. Even non-active, middle-aged dogs can be subject to orthopedic issues due to their very breed. Genetics can play a large part in causing hip and elbow dysplasia or intervertebral disc disease in dogs such as German Shepherds and Dachshunds. Orthopedic surgeons focus on this part of the body and are the best line of defense when it comes to repairing the damages caused by overactive play, age or an accident.
Advanced wound care for large injuries
Dogs and cats can both end up needing advanced wound care in the event of a large injury. This is most common with lacerations from vehicle accidents, attacks by other animals, or abuse from humans. Large flaps of skin may be hanging loose from open wounds on the chest, back, neck or hips. When this happens it is not always possible to get a healthy and clean flap of skin to stitch back together, and as an effective alternative, skin grafts may be considered. Surgeons are well versed in the use of a wide range of tools to get the skin repaired and closed, and have spent years studying how to avoid blood veins, nerves and muscles. In many cases, even with a large injury, once it has been closed and stitched properly by a well-trained veterinarian it will not even be noticeable after it fully heals.
