Gully Animal Hospital

How Your Veterinarian Cares for Your Canine Companion After a Knee Injury

If your dog is suffering from a knee injury, there's a good chance he's hurt his anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL. ACL tears are among the most common orthopedic problems small animal veterinarians see. An ACL tear is a serious injury, so your injured pup will need professional veterinary care at an animal clinic. Read on to find out how your pet's veterinarian will treat your dog if he's suffered from this common knee injury:

Determining the Injury's Presentation

Canine ACL injuries typically fall into one of two categories, called presentations. Your dog may be a young, athletic animal that played too hard and acutely ruptured his ACL ligament, or an older, overweight dog whose knee has worn down. In the second scenario, the dog may have more difficulty moving due to a prolonged problem. Determining which category your pet's injury fits into is your veterinarian's first task.

Conducting an Orthopedic Exam

After identifying the presentation of your pet's injury, your pet veterinarian will perform an orthopedic exam. During the exam, your veterinarian looks at your dog's walk, the swelling in his joint, and any forward instability in the knee. Sedation is often required so your dog's knee can be temporarily stabilized. Your veterinarian will also take x-rays to inspect the knee for inflammatory or osteoarthritic changes.

Performing Surgical Repair

In some cases, surgical repair is the only way to ensure your dog's joint is stabilized and to prevent further damage. The age, size, and activity level of your dog will influence which type of surgery is needed — intracapsular, extracapsular, or a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy. The amount of recovery time and physical therapy needed depends on which type of surgery is performed. 

Does your dog have a knee injury? Gully Animal Hospital in Arlington, Texas is an animal clinic that provides surgical care for dogs with injured knees. We also provide preventative and wellness care, pet boarding, dog grooming, and more. To find out how we can help, visit our website or call (817) 756-6733.

Trust the Professional Groomers at Gully Animal Hospital

At Gully Animal Hospital, our two professional groomers have over 25 years of experience keeping pets’ hair and skin healthy. We always use gentle methods and look after the safety of your pet during the process. We have the necessary tools for cutting and styling the different breeds of pets and use shampoos that won’t cause any skin irritations. When done properly, many pets actually enjoy the grooming process once they become accustomed to it. Our groomers can also show you how to take care of your pet’s hair and skin at home between grooming appointments.

What other questions do you have about the benefits of regular dog grooming? Ask the pet care professionals at Gully Animal Hospital where we treat your pet like a member of the family. Call us at (817) 756-6733 or visit our website to learn more about our pet services.

Learn More about Your Pet's Health with These Online Resources!

A pet can be a faithful companion for many years. These articles discuss how to find the right cat or dog for you and what steps to take to ensure their health and happiness. Gully Animal Hospital provides comprehensive veterinarian assistance to animals in the greater Arlington community. If you have a cat or dog that requires vet help, call us today at (817) 756-6733 to schedule an appointment at our pet hospital.

• Are you adopting a cat? Petfinder.com gives readers a comprehensive checklist to consider before taking home a new family member.
• Older dogs typically require no housetraining, and often exhibit less frantic energy than puppies. The ASPCA discusses why adopting a mature dog has its benefits.
• Because animals can’t verbally communicate their discomfort, owners need to look for other signs of sickness. WebMD breaks down some common symptoms of animal illness.
• Slipping your cat or dog a taste of your dinner may sound nice, but it can cause your furry friend significant health problems down the road. HealthyPet.com examines the link between obesity and animal diabetes.
• Excessive weight can contribute to animal arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation explains what you can do to ease your pet’s arthritis.

Signs That Indicate that Your Pet is Ill

A baby knows to cry when something is wrong, but pets can’t verbally communicate when they need help. Because your pets’ behavior is often the only way to understand when they are sick, it’s important that you know the signs. The following scenarios each represent a symptom of illness. If your cat or dog begins to display such behavior, take him immediately to a veterinarian. When in doubt, consult a vet for peace of mind.

Your pet refuses to eat

Puppies and kittens typically have healthy appetites, and as your pet gets older, you’ll learn his normal eating habits. If your pet’s eating behavior suddenly changes, it may indicate that he’s sick. Sometimes a pet may become picky about meals if you change his food brand, but in general, a pet that doesn’t eat should see a veterinarian. If you find that your pet is exhibiting signs of lethargy in combination with a refusal to eat, speak with a vet about the problem.

Your pet urinates or defecates inside the home

Everyone knows that a puppy or kitten might experience an accident in the house from time to time. However, if you have an older animal that suddenly begins to urinate or defecate in the home, contact your veterinarian. Pets can be sensitive to change and may act out if you have recently moved. In other cases, uncontrollable bowel movements may indicate a kidney problem or diabetes. Either way, a veterinarian can prescribe an appropriate course of action to help your pet.

Your pet scratches or shakes incessantly

Like people, pets can get allergies. They may also get fleas or dry skin. Pets are vulnerable to a range of conditions that may lead them to frequent scratching or shaking. If your pet begins to show these signs, take him to an animal hospital. Because the cause of this behavior can stem from multiple ailments, only a trained veterinarian can adequately assess their condition and prescribe effective treatment.

Gully Animal Hospital offers healthcare options for cats and dogs in the greater Arlington area. We also take emergency cases without appointment. If you require immediate help for your pet, call us at (817) 756-6733 or visit our website to learn more about our pet hospital services.

A Basic Guide to Your Pet's Veterinary Needs [INFOGRAPHIC]

Your pet is your best friend and lifelong companion, and it’s your job to make sure Fluffy or Fido leads a long and healthy life. You probably know that you should take your animal to the veterinarian on a regular basis, but did you know that your pet has different needs depending on its age? Do you know some of the warning signs that your animal needs immediate veterinary attention? To learn about this information and more, take a look at our infographic. Feel free to share it with your fellow animal-lovers so that you all can be responsible pet owners!