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Any condition related to bones and joints may lead to orthopedic surgery. The musculoskeletal system is associated with the bones and connects several nerves that control the movement and balance of the pet. Therefore, any bone-related issues can cause severe pain and injury to your pet. Veterinary orthopedic surgeons are the best option if the pet’s condition is bad. In most cases, medicine will do the trick, but you have to know the following signs to decide when to visit an orthopedic surgeon.
1. Problem Running and Jumping
If your pet has difficulties running and jumping, it might be suffering from hip dysplasia. This is a genetic disease and often occurs in large breed dogs. However, cats can also suffer from the condition. Usually, anti-inflammatory medicine will do the job, but if the condition is left unattended, it can cause arthritis. Joint replacement surgery is necessary for the worst-case scenario. So, if you see your pet having troubles with jumping and running, don’t take a chance and book an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.
2. Limping or Licking
Limping is a pretty good indication that your pet has some bone and joint problems. If your pet is limping, licking, orbiting its knee joints, then it might be suffering from patellar luxation. The condition is related to knee joint dislocation and needs proper surgery. It occurs when the knee joint slips out of its socket, which causes significant unrest to the pet. Joint-dislocation is more prominent in small-sized cats and dogs, but it can also occur in more giant breeds.
3. Stiffness
There are some symptoms that you have to observe yourself to decide whether an orthopedic surgery is necessary or not. If your dog has difficulty walking or can’t maintain balance, check its hind legs for stiffness. Mostly, it’s a muscular issue, but if the pet still exhibits the same sign, it’s better to contact a veterinary orthopedic surgeon. Your pet might have dislocated joints, hip problems, or a tear in the cruciate ligament. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are very painful and require immediate surgery to avoid further damage to the bone and muscle.
4. Swelling
Most musculoskeletal issues are easy to detect, check for swelling around knee joints. Usually, if a pet has some internal injury, that area will swell up. If you observe thickness or swelling in any pet’s knee joint, then take it to an orthopedic surgeon. In addition, the pet might have hairline fractures, inflammation of joints, or other serious issues. Therefore, if you see your pet licking or biting the same area on its body, always check for swellings to prevent further damage.
5. Weight Issues
If your pet can’t bear its weight, it’s a symptom that he might need some form of orthopedic surgery. This usually occurs at old age but injures might also be a cause. Similarly, if your pet is unwilling to walk, run or jump, then consulting an orthopedic surgeon should be a no-brainer.
Pets require unconditional love, but it’s our job to keep them healthy. Catching and curing any issues with your pet early on saves you and the pet from later pain and suffering.