If your pet has an orthopedic condition, it typically affects their joints, bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Some conditions are genetic while others are caused by prolonged injury that get progressively worse overtime. Depending on your pet’s condition, a combination of therapeutic treatments like laser therapy, lifestyle changes or surgery can be used to treat them.

What are common orthopedic conditions?

Common orthopedic conditions can alter your pet’s quality of life, since they target areas of your pet’s body responsible for movement. Some of these include:

• Arthritis
• Hip dysplasia
• Cartilage abnormalities
• Trauma-inflicted fractures
• Sprains
• Ligament ruptures

How can they affect my pet?

Depending on the orthopedic condition, your pet could be in a lot of pain, especially if their condition is chronic. Pets often mask their pain but indications of their discomfort include changes in their behaviour like aggression, panting, limping or shying away from activities they typically enjoy. These conditions can also affect your furry friend’s movement, limiting their ability to move around your home, run or use their full range of motion. Both pain and reduced mobility can impact your pet’s quality of life, since their conditions limit and disrupt their daily routines.

What treatments do you recommend?

Our veterinary team will consult with you about the best treatment plan that suits your pet’s individual needs. For some pets, this includes a combination of laser therapy, physical exercises, weight loss and supplements. In other cases, surgery is necessary to fix the orthopedic condition and provide your pet with pain relief. If you’re interested in recommendations of orthopedic services for your pet, contact us at 705-476-3913 to book an appointment.