Category: Veterinary Surgeon

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Is Your Pup Suffering From Hip Dysplasia? Learn More About TPO Surgery

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With Triple Pelvic Osteotomy (TPO), young dogs with hip dysplasia can improve their symptoms by improving the poorly shaped hips dealt out by nature. The results can be life-changing and amazing for your pup. However, not all dogs are able to handle TPO surgery and ultimately are not good candidates. Read below to learn the important facts about TPO surgery and talk with your veterinary specialist for detailed information. 

TPO Surgery 101

Triple pelvic osteotomy (TPO), and more recently double pelvic osteotomy (DPO) is a surgical option for young dogs with hip dysplasia and with NO hip OA. This procedure is for young dogs only – usually less than 6 months of age. Radiographs at an early age are necessary to preemptively determine if the hips are developing normally, or if hip laxity is present, even though no symptoms are present. 

The object of the TPO and DPO procedures is the same which is to “capture” the femoral head in the socket thereby reducing the laxity present. This is done by cutting the pelvic bones in 3 or 2 places, rotating the acetabulum, and stabilizing the pelvis in the new position with a metal bone plate and screws. 

What are the Advantages of TPO Surgery?

As a result of TPO surgery, the hip moves smoothly and the bumps and grinds associated with arthritis are reduced. TPO, therefore, protects the long-term health of the hips and plays an important preventative role. Performing surgery when the bones are still growing reduces the forces on young bones and reduces the likelihood of misshapen bones.

Almost all dogs who have TPO surgery for suspected hip dysplasia have normal active lives (although they should not be bred from as this is a hereditary condition that can be passed onto the next generation.)

TPO surgery is performed much less frequently currently compared to 10-20 years ago. Several reasons for this include:

  • Early diagnosis before symptoms are present is imperative
  • Long-term follow-up results are less favorable than originally thought to be
  • The arthroscopic examination has become the standard to critically evaluate the joint before surgery
  • Hip replacement surgery has been shown to be acceptable practice in dogs less than 1 year of age and as young as 6-8 months of age
  • Arthritis does not develop following hip replacement surgery as it can following TPO surgery
  • Hip replacement implants are not reported to wear out, i.e. they last for life
  • Recovery after hip replacement is quicker with comfort following quickly

Consult a Board-Certified Veterinary Surgeon

Global Veterinary Specialists recognize that dogs and cats encounter orthopedic injuries, disabling difficulties, and diseases that can impact their quality of life and are committed to restoring pain-free mobility by treating hip dysplasia and other conditions like secondary osteoarthritis.

We invite you to contact GVS today to learn about the treatment options for hip dysplasia so that your pet can resume a happy, healthy, pain-free life.

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What to Expect Before & After Canine THR Surgery

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The objective of canine total hip replacement (THR) is to establish a pain-free joint with normal biomechanical function in medium, large, and giant breed dogs. When highly qualified surgeons perform this procedure, all potential risks are minimized, ensuring your pet’s complete recovery. To determine if your pet is a suitable candidate for total hip replacement, please discuss their specific problem and all available options with your veterinarian.

Global Veterinary Specialists is staffed by an exceptional team of highly qualified board-certified veterinary surgeons with extensive experience performing total hip replacement (THR) procedures. All the surgeons are dedicated to using their expertise to improve patient care and expand the knowledge of veterinary joint replacement surgery worldwide. Create a life without limitations for your pet by contacting us today to learn more about the available treatment options.

What Happens Before Surgery?

After you’ve scheduled surgery, presurgical planning will be completed to determine implant sizes using digital radiography and rule out infections through lab work. The latter is ideal for ensuring there are no underlying problems that could complicate surgery, prolong recovery, or impact a successful THR outcome. Preoperative bathing, care, and limitation instructions are also provided during this appointment.

On the day of surgery – usually in the early morning – your dog will be admitted to the surgical facility. This facility adheres to the same standards established for human operating rooms, containing various sterilized instruments to be used by the surgical team, most notably the board-certified veterinary surgeon throughout the procedure.

During the THR procedure, a board-certified veterinary surgeon will remove the  acetabulum, femoral stem, and femoral head. Those three components will be replaced with artificial ones that are constructed of titanium and cobalt chrome. These are expected to last for the life of the patient, regardless of at what age they receive the implants. Whether cemented or cementless, the implants help to reduce pain and improve function.

Cementless vs. Cemented

Also called press-fit, cementless implants manufactured by BioMedtrix are referred to as a biological fixation (BFX) system. These implants are preferred for medium and large dogs because they eliminate the need for bone cement; therefore, they substantially upgrade from previous techniques. In addition, these offer immediate stabilization, which increasingly becomes more stable as the bone grows into the implant, a process called osteointegration during the first few weeks following surgery.

Also manufactured by BioMedtrix, cemented implants are the cement fixation (CFX) system used in cats and dogs, usually those weighing less than 25 pounds.

The availability of both cementless and cemented implants provides your board-certified veterinary surgeon with excellent versatility to customize them to the unique needs of each companion animal. The surgeons at Global Veterinary Specialists have experience using both techniques, which is advantageous since it allows for hybrid implementation. Using this technology, cemented and cementless implants can be used on either the femoral stem or cup, depending on factors such as the animal’s size and condition’s severity. The surgeon will discuss this with you before surgery.

What to Expect After Surgery?

Skilled veterinarian technicians provide twenty-four-hour patient care during the mandatory postoperative hospitalization period. These technicians are well informed about the specific needs of each animal undergoing a total hip replacement procedure.

Once at home, your pet must be confined to an area with limited space and good traction and on a leash when outdoors for about five to six weeks following surgery. They should not be allowed to run, jump, play, or climb during recuperation. A walking assist sling helps keep control of dogs during the postoperative period.

Shortly after that, follow-up radiographs are evaluated and a rehabilitation program ordered, assuming the incision has healed. The rehabilitation program is specifically designed for each dog, with time, duration, and distance parameters established each day.

Canine total hip replacement is the gold-standard surgical treatment for dogs with moderate to severe hip dysplasia. This means that it is the most effective, permanent and successful treatment available that restores a healthy and happy life for the dog. In addition, THR is not limited to dogs, as it has been successfully performed on cats.

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Protect Your Pets This Holiday Season

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With the holiday season in full swing, many people may be scrambling to finalize plans for the weekend ahead while double-checking their various lists, including the following list of veterinarian-provided tips for protecting your pets during the holiday season.

Beware of Holiday Foods

As you prepare your holiday feasts and sweets, remember not to share any with your pet, as the American Veterinary Association (AVMA) says many can be hazardous for their health. The AVMA adds that the most dangerous foods are chocolates, sweets, baked goods, turkey, table scraps, and yeast dough. Rather than risk an emergency trip to their veterinarian, give them treats made explicitly for them, whether store-bought or homemade. In addition, because accidents happen, it is essential to have the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline number – 888-426-4435 – readily available.

Seat Belts During Travels Please

AAA estimates that more than 100 million people will travel by car. Another nine million will choose other forms of transportation as they depart for holiday destinations between December 23 and January 2. Those planning to hit the road with their pets should take specific precautions to keep them safe yet comfortable, such as adequately restraining them in a carrier or with a safety harness, which also helps prevent distractions. Whichever you choose, the American Veterinary Association (AVMA) recommends placing your pet in an area free of airbags.

Comfort Them on New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve brims with celebrations, often with fireworks and noisemakers as the clock strikes midnight, which is particularly frightening for your pets. The best way to comfort them is to find a room in your home that is preferably free of windows, such as a bathroom, where you can set them up with their bed, water, food, and favorite toys. You may also want to consider using a device that creates white noises to soothe them. Finally, if you plan on ringing in the New Year at home, consider sitting with them and comforting them to reduce stress.

Consult Your Veterinarian Specialist Today

As temperatures drop this winter, the symptoms of canine hip dysplasia (HD) may become more pronounced, potentially impacting your pet’s holiday spirit. In addition, suppose more conservative treatment options are no longer effective at minimizing your pet’s discomfort, regardless of the season. In that case, you may want to consider speaking with your veterinarian specialist about a total hip replacement (THR).

Global Veterinary Specialists recognize that dogs and cats encounter orthopedic injuries, disabling difficulties, and diseases impacting their quality of life. As such, our board-certified veterinary surgeons are committed to restoring pain-free mobility by treating hip dysplasia and other conditions, such as secondary osteoarthritis, to enable your pet to go on to live a healthy and happier life.

The board-certified veterinary surgeons at Global Veterinary Specialists have extensive veterinarian and surgical experience, so you can be assured that your pet is receiving compassionate and comprehensive care for whichever orthopedic condition ails them. Create a life without limitations for your pet by contacting Global Veterinary Specialists today to learn more about the available treatment options for hip dysplasia.

From the GVS family to yours, we hope you and your pets have a happy and safe holiday season!

Resources:

“Animal Poison Control.” The ASPCA.

Edmonds, Ellen. “’ Tis the Season: More than 109 Million Americans to Travel for the Holidays.” AAA Newsroom, December 14, 2021.

“Winter holiday pet safety.” American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

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Ask the Veterinary Surgeon: What is Secondary Osteoarthritis?

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Osteoarthritis (OA), also referred to as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), is defined as the progressive deterioration of the cartilage surrounding the joints. The American College of Veterinary Surgeons characterizes it as a loss of joint cartilage, thickening of the joint capsule, and the development of bone spurs (osteophytes). That can result in inflammation, discomfort, and decreased mobility. 

Unfortunately, in the United States, about 20% of dogs over one year of age have been diagnosed with OA. If you think your dog is suffering from osteoarthritis, whether primary or secondary, you should schedule an appointment with a veterinary surgeon like Global Veterinary Specialists’ Dr. William Liska.

Contributing factors include age, breed, exercise, and weight. In terms of weight, obesity is most concerning, as increased body weight adds more stress to the joints. According to the American Animal Hospital Association, a dog is considered overweight when they are ten to 20 percent heavier than their ideal weight, which may predispose them to a significant number of conditions like osteoarthritis (McReynolds, 2020).

As with any joint problem, the body’s response attempts to stabilize laxity if it is present. When hip dysplasia is present, the degree of laxity varies from one dog to another, and there are times when one side is affected more than the other side. The laxity eventually results in secondary osteoarthritis (OA) at some point in life. Other causes include osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), a dislocated patella, elbow dysplasia, and cranial cruciate ligament disease.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Your dog cannot communicate their feelings of discomfort and may even try to mask them, making it challenging to identify the symptoms of hip dysplasia and, ultimately, secondary osteoarthritis. It is often not until the orthopedic disease has progressed that pet owners report noticeable differences in their dog’s activity, behavior, or gait. A dog diagnosed with hip dysplasia, regardless of the severity, should be continuously monitored for the following common symptoms:

  • Stiffness
  • Lameness
  • Behavioral changes
  • Reluctance to play
  • Decreasing appetite
  • Decrease in overall activity
  • Premature tiring during exercise
  • Changes in gait such as “bunny hopping”
  • Inability to climb stairs or jump while playing
  • Avoidance of being pet since it may cause pain

In addition, it is also possible for younger dogs to temporarily improve, particularly with the changing of the seasons. That is because autumn and winter’s cooler temperatures can cause symptoms to appear more pronounced, whereas they may be more subtle during spring and summer’s warmer weather. Essentially, your dog may be able to cope better with the pain and discomfort at specific intervals, but the symptoms will likely present themselves again over time.

Diagnosis and Treatment

A veterinary surgeon can diagnose secondary osteoarthritis using the same diagnostic methods for hip dysplasia during a comprehensive orthopedic examination. The surgeon will ask questions about your dog’s diet, exercise, and genetics. They will also ask about their medical history before performing a thorough physical and orthopedic examination, including palpation of all four limbs.

Radiographic images will then be taken to confirm the diagnosis of hip dysplasia and, depending on the condition’s severity, secondary osteoarthritis. Two views, a ventral-dorsal and lateral radiograph are generally sufficient for diagnostic purposes.

If hip dysplasia and secondary OA are the diagnoses, and the dog’s quality of life is impaired, the veterinary surgeon may recommend a total hip replacement (THR). This surgical procedure replaces the abnormal joint with a prosthesis, allowing the dog or cat to resume normal, pain-free mobility. It is the most cost-effective solution in animals with moderate to severe HD and secondary OA. 

Consult a Board-Certified Veterinary Surgeon

Global Veterinary Specialists recognize that dogs and cats encounter orthopedic injuries, disabling difficulties, and diseases that can impact their quality of life and are committed to restoring pain-free mobility by treating hip dysplasia and other conditions like secondary osteoarthritis.

The board-certified veterinary surgeons at Global Veterinary Specialists have extensive veterinarian and surgical experience, so you can be assured that your cat or dog is receiving excellent care.

We are teachers, mentors, inventors, clinical researchers, and veterinary surgeons committed to achieving excellent results for every patient animal we see regardless of their age or breed. We invite you to contact GVS today to learn about the treatment options for hip dysplasia so that your pet can resume a happy, healthy, pain-free life.

Resources:

Anderson, Katharine L et al. “Risk Factors for Canine Osteoarthritis and Its Predisposing Arthropathies: A Systematic Review.” Frontiers in veterinary science vol. 7 220. 28 Apr. 2020, doi:10.3389/fvets.2020.00220

McReynolds, Tony. “Pet obesity is an epidemic.” American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). 6 Feb. 2020.

“Osteoarthritis in Dogs.” American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS). N.d.

Parnell. “Osteoarthritis in Dogs – Signs and Treatment.” American Kennel Club (AKC). 17 Feb. 2021.

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What is a Board-Certified Veterinary Surgeon?

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Treating moderate to severe hip dysplasia – a painful condition characterized by abnormal joint laxity of the hip joint – surgically is best managed by a board-certified veterinary surgeon like Global Veterinary Specialists founder Dr. William Liska.

A board-certified veterinary surgeon has completed additional years of training, successfully meeting the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) specific requirements, performed published research, and passed a rigorous examination.

These surgeons are dedicated to identifying the best plan for treating hip dysplasia in your dog or cat. There are several options, with total hip replacement (THR) considered the gold-standard treatment option, as it allows dogs and cats to resume a happy and healthy life.

Meet the Veterinary Surgeon

Dr. William Liska, DVM, DACVS, received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University in 1973. He completed both an internship and surgical residency at The Animal Medical Center in New York in 1973 and, in 1980, became board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS).

After his residency, he started in practice from 1976 until 1988. He established one of the largest multi-disciplinary veterinary specialist hospitals, accepting patients by veterinarian referral only, before founding Global Veterinary Specialists in 2014.

Dr. Liska has received many awards throughout his career, including Practitioner of the Year in 1999 and Specialty Practitioner of the Year in 2009 from the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. In addition, in recognition of his canine and feline hip and knee replacement studies, Dr. Liska was awarded the American Veterinary Medical Association Practitioner Research Award in 2009.

In addition, he has performed more than 2,000 joint replacement procedures. He is among the leading veterinary surgeons for the number of THR referrals received and surgeries completed locally and internationally. Dr. Liska is also certified by the instrumentation and implant manufacturer BioMedtrix LLC, Whippany, New Jersey.

Today, Dr. Liska dedicates his career to Global Veterinary Specialists (GVS), offering educational and surgical services focused on joint replacement surgery and orthopedics for dogs and cats.

Schedule a GVS Appointment Today

Global Veterinary Specialists recognize that dogs and cats encounter orthopedic injuries, disabling difficulties, and diseases that can impact their quality of life and are committed to restoring mobility by treating hip dysplasia and other conditions.

We are teachers, mentors, inventors, clinical researchers, and veterinary surgeons committed to achieving excellent results for every animal we see regardless of age or breed. We invite you to contact us today to learn about the various options for correcting hip dysplasia and how we can help restore your pet’s quality of life.

Resources:

“Honored Mentor: William D. Liska, DVM, DACVS.” American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS).

“What is a Veterinary Surgeon?” American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS).

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