Orthopedic Pet Surgery
In-house Pet Orthopedic Surgery at East Holland Veterinary Clinic
Finding a veterinarian near you who performs orthopedic surgery can be challenging. East Holland Veterinary Clinic offers orthopedic procedures by appointment to help your pet recover from orthopedic injuries and treat chronic diseases.
We partner with Dr. Boswell, a local traveling orthopedic pet surgeon, to offer expert orthopedic pet surgeries for your furry family. This partnership allows your pet to receive the highest quality orthopedic care.
The Orthopedic Pet Surgery Process
If your pet recently suffered a potential bone or joint injury–or struggles with a chronic condition like arthritis or hip dysplasia–we can help. Schedule a consultation with our team, and we will perform a complete physical exam and run X-rays to inspect your pet’s symptoms.
After the exam, our doctors will create an action plan for your pet and schedule an appointment with Dr. Boswell if necessary. We build treatment schedules for many conditions, including:
- CCL surgeries for dogs
- Bone fractures
- Tail, digit, or Limb Amputations
- Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO)
- Patellar luxation repair
On the day of your pet’s operation, we will walk you through every step of the process to give you peace of mind. Our team provides each patient with special care and will monitor their vitals throughout the process.
Post-Operative Care
After the surgery, we will provide detailed post-op instructions to help your pet fully recover. These instructions may include administering pain medication and antibiotics, physical therapy instructions, or at-home exercises to improve your pet’s mobility.
Orthopedic Surgery FAQs
Does every serious orthopedic injury require veterinary surgery?
No. Depending on the condition and its severity, some orthopedic problems may be managed with options such as activity modification, medication, weight management, rehabilitation, acupuncture, or other therapies. Surgery will only be recommended when it offers a better opportunity to stabilize an injury, relieve pain, or restore mobility. Our veterinary team, along with Dr. Boswell, will determine whether orthopedic surgery is the best option for your pet.
What is a CCL injury?
The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) stabilizes a dog’s knee and is similar in function to the ACL in a human knee. When the ligament partially or completely tears, dogs can develop pain, limping, difficulty bearing weight, and instability in the affected knee. Treatment depends on the individual dog and severity of the injury. Surgery may be recommended.
What are signs that my dog or cat may have an orthopedic problem?
Limping is an obvious sign of an orthopedic problem, but pets can show more subtle changes as well. Stiffness, difficulty getting up, reluctance to climb stairs or jump, favoring one leg, or becoming less interested in normal activities can all indicate pain or mobility problems. If these changes persist or your pet suddenly stops using a limb, schedule a consultation at East Holland Veterinary Clinic to determine what may be causing the problem.
How long will my pet need restricted activity after orthopedic surgery?
Recovery varies considerably depending on the orthopedic procedure, your pet’s condition, and how their healing progresses. Many orthopedic surgeries require several weeks or even months of carefully restricted activity, followed by a gradual return to exercise or a veterinarian-guided rehabilitation plan. Following your pet’s specific restrictions is important because too much activity too soon can interfere with proper healing. If you ever have questions about your pet’s recovery, please ask us!
Schedule a Consultation for Orthopedic Pet Surgery
Schedule a Consultation for Orthopedic Pet Surgery
The first step to a successful orthopedic procedure is scheduling a consultation with one of our DVMs. To book your consultation, call us at (616)-392-1835 or contact us online.
East Holland Veterinary Clinic offers orthopedic pet surgery for clients in the Holland, Zeeland, and Saugatuck areas. We offer pet wellness care, pet vaccinations, pet dentistry, spay and neuter, and soft-tissue pet surgery by appointment.
