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Sports medicine and orthopaedics for dogs and cats
Sports medicine is a veterinary sub–speciality that targets injuries occurring in working or performance animals. We assess and diagnose injuries of the soft tissues and the musculoskeletal system in both dogs and cats. Our aim is to get your animals back performing and working to full capacity as quickly as possible.
When paired with our rehabilitation services, our patients recover faster and stay stronger and healthier for the duration of their working life.
We offer both surgical and non-surgical options depending on what is best suited for the injury type.
Surgical options
Our veterinary surgeons have extensive knowledge and experience in fracture repairs, cranial/anterior cruciate ligament (CCL/ACL) repairs, joint re-locations, femoral head osteotomy, osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) removal, patella luxation correction and ligament and tendon tear repairs.
We use specialised diagnostic equipment, such as ultrasound, x-rays, arthroscopy and pathology services to make accurate and timely diagnosis for your animals.
Surgical options | Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a surgical procedure that allows the vet to examine and treat (if required) inside a joint space with minimal invasion. 2 small cuts are made on the skin surface and a small camera (an arthroscope) is placed inside the joint to visualise the area for pathology and injury.
This less invasive technique allows faster recovery time and less risk of infection and complications compared to open arthrotomy procedures.
Conditions in which an arthroscopy may be beneficial include:
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Meniscal tears in the knee
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Tears in ligaments and tendons that can’t be seen on x-rays
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Removal of OCD lesions in the shoulder, elbow and knees
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Assessment of the hip joint
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Getting a sample (aspirate) from a joint space.
Non-surgical options
Not all injuries need surgical intervention.
We offer various non-surgical options including pain relief, rehabilitation therapy, kinetic strapping of limbs, acupuncture, the use of orthotics and prosthetics, stem cell injections and therapeutic ultrasound treatments.
Non-surgical options can be more effective on the wellbeing of the animals as it targets and treats the injury in a more cost effective and holistic way.
Orthotics and prosthetics
Sometimes it may be required for the animal to wear an orthotic or prosthetic device as a supplement or substitution to surgical procedures. Depending on the condition, we offer a wide variety of orthotic and prosthetic devices for your animals. Some examples include:
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Hinged stifle brace for CCL/ACL tears
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Forelimb or hind limb prosthetics for limb amputations due to trauma or cancer
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Shoulder support vests or velpeau slings for post arthroscopy or shoulder dislocations
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Carpal and tarsal (foot and ankle) support devices for achilles tendon injury
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Ehmer sling for hip dislocations or fractures.
We also offer a rehabilitation service to ensure that your animal regains an optimal range of joint motion and muscle function after an injury.
Airway Surgery
In addition to orthopaedic surgeries, we offer surgical correction for Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS).
BOAS refers to a group of conditions affecting dogs with short noses (brachycephalic dogs). Breeds that are affected include French Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih-Tzus, Pekingese and less commonly, King Charles Cavalier Spaniels and Staffordshire Bull Terriers. These dogs have a compacted skeleton but normal amounts of skin and soft tissues. The excess skin and folds cause a number of obstructions including their airways. BOAS correction surgery removes the excess skin from their soft palate and nares, which improves their respiratory function and improve the snoring noises when they breathe.
Corrective airway surgery could also aid in performance and working dogs that may experience difficulty in breathing during period of high activity.
