Combining physical rehabilitation with medical and surgical care is beneficial for many dogs to help restore mobility and musculoskeletal function. Our Midwest Veterinary Specialists team wants to provide information about conditions that best respond to rehabilitation therapy, so you know what to expect if your dog is affected. #1: Cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs [...]
When a dog’s cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) ruptures, their stifle (i.e., knee) loses stability, causing pain and decreased mobility. The medial meniscus can then become torn, and osteoarthritis will develop if the joint isn’t stabilized, which can result in chronic, debilitating discomfort. Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) is a surgical technique for stabilizing joints with [...]
Photobiomodulation (i.e., laser therapy) is a non-invasive, drug-free procedure that can be used for numerous medical conditions in pets to accelerate healing, relieve pain, and decrease inflammation. Our Midwest Veterinary Specialists team wants to provide information about laser therapy to help you determine if your pet can benefit from this procedure. Pet laser therapy terminology [...]
Canine sporting events are becoming increasingly popular. These athletic endeavors provide excellent mental and physical stimulation for your dog, but they can also lead to injuries. Our Midwest Veterinary Specialists team wants to provide information about common sporting injuries in dogs, along with tips to help decrease your dog’s risk. Sporting dog foot pad injuries [...]
Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) is the treatment of choice for most dogs affected by cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Proper post-operative care and rehabilitation are important after this procedure to ensure your dog returns to normal function and experiences as little pain as possible. Our Midwest Veterinary Specialists team wants to help by explaining common [...]
Shockwave therapy is a noninvasive, drug-free treatment for pets experiencing pain and lameness. The technology employs focused high-energy sound waves to stimulate the body’s healing, regeneration, and pain relieving processes. These sound waves penetrate deeper and release more energy than ultrasound or laser therapy. Our team at Midwest Veterinary Specialists provides information about this treatment [...]
Unmanaged pain decreases a pet’s quality of life and prolongs their recovery from surgery, injury, and illness. Pets instinctively hide their vulnerabilities, which can make recognizing pain difficult. Our Midwest Veterinary Specialists team wants to help by explaining how you can determine if your pet is suffering. Understanding pet pain Pain is a complex, multifaceted [...]
Tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) is a surgical treatment option for dogs suffering from cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture, which is the most common orthopedic problem in dogs. If your dog has been diagnosed with this condition, you are likely considering a treatment approach that will return your dog to their normal activity level as [...]
Many conditions can cause your pet to start limping, and some issues are more concerning than others. Our team at Midwest Veterinary Specialists wants to help by providing information about what conditions cause pets to limp, how these problems are diagnosed and managed, and when you should seek veterinary care. Lameness detection in pets Dogs [...]
Arthritis (i.e., osteoarthritis [OA]) is a degenerative joint condition that causes joint pain and decreased mobility for many pets, despite surgical treatment, or in cases where surgical procedures aren’t always indicated. Fortunately, there are many treatment options available to help improve an arthritic pet’s quality of life, and a multimodal treatment plan often leads to [...]