Orthopaedic surgery, or ortho in short, is a branch of veterinary medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of injuries or diseases affecting the bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments of pets. These may include broken bones or fractures, hip dysplasia, and dislocations.

Small pet dog with a cast and bandage around its leg

When these issues affect a pet’s mobility and overall well-being, orthopaedic surgery can be a valuable solution.

Some pets, particularly dogs and cats, may require such procedures at some point in their lives, to help them restore mobility or to move more freely with less pain. Orthopaedic care from veterinarians and nurses can thus be important and necessary to improve their overall quality of life.

By understanding the various issues and veterinary procedures, you can make informed decisions about your furkid’s care and help them live a happier, healthier life. Early detection and intervention can prevent further complications.

Not sure if your pet might have an orthopaedic issue? Signs to look out for include:

Limping or lameness
Swelling or tenderness
Reluctance to move or exercise
Difficulty bearing weight on a leg
Difficulty rising or jumping
Difficulty climbing stairs
Pain when touched around the bone, hip area or joints

If you notice any of these signs in your pet or suspect a potential orthopaedic issue, we recommend that you consult with your primary veterinarian or go to an emergency animal hospital to get a diagnosis and treatment plan.

For questions or bookings, please WhatsApp our friendly Paws N’ Claws veterinary team at 8891 4417 for the Upper Thomson clinic or 8809 0787 for our Yishun clinic.

Common Orthopaedic Conditions and Procedures

Pet cat with a bandaged leg with a veterinarian

Like humans, pets have complex musculoskeletal systems with bones, joints, muscles, and ligaments. These structures support the animal’s body, enable the animal to move, and protect vital organs.

When injuries, diseases, or congenital conditions affect them, it can lead to different orthopaedic problems.

Here are some common issues and procedures that pets may need:

1. Fractures:

Causes: Broken bones can occur due to accidents, falls from height — which are unfortunately common in high-rise buildings such as HDB flats and condominiums in Singapore — or other traumatic injuries.

• Simple fractures: These are clean breaks that typically do not involve significant damage to surrounding tissues.

• Compound fractures: These fractures involve an open wound, which can increase the risk of infection.

To diagnose a fracture, your veterinarian will typically perform a physical examination and take X-rays of the affected area. X-rays can help visualise the bone and identify the location and severity of the fracture.

Treatment: Repairing fractures in pets often involves immobilisation with casts, splints, or surgical repair. In more severe cases, internal fixation techniques may be used to stabilise the broken bone with screws, plates, or pins.

X-ray of a fracture repair in a dog's leg

2. Dislocations:

Causes: Joint dislocations occur when the bones of a joint are displaced from their normal position. They can happen due to accidents or trauma, such as falling.

Commonly affected joints for dislocations include the shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee joints.

Treatment: Typically, the veterinarian will treat dislocations by realigning the joint, followed by immobilisation to allow healing. In some cases, surgical intervention may be needed to stabilise the joint or repair damaged ligaments.

3. Femoral head ostectomy (FHO):

Femoral head ostectomy is a surgery that can significantly improve the pet’s mobility, reduce pain, and enhance his or her quality of life.

During an FHO procedure, the femoral head (the top part of the femur) is surgically removed by the veterinarian. This eliminates the painful joint and allows the pet to develop a new, more stable hip joint.

FHO is often performed by veterinarians to treat hip dysplasia, a common hereditary condition that affects the hip joint and causes abnormal development and instability. It occurs when the ball and socket of the hip joint don’t fit together properly, leading to instability and pain.

Hip dysplasia tends to be more prevalent in certain pet breeds, such as large dog breeds like German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, and Labrador Retrievers. That said, the condition can also affect smaller dog breeds like French Bulldogs, as well as cats.

Causes of Bone or Joint Problems in Pets

When vet clinics and emergency animal hospitals in Singapore see orthopaedic issues in dogs and cats, accidents and falls are among the most frequent causes.

Pets, especially those living in HDB flats or high-rise condominium apartments, may fall from height. Small dogs or cats may also fall or jump from the bed or sofa, resulting in fractures or dislocations.

Pet cat with a cast on its leg due to a fracture

Car accidents are also a common cause. The affected animal may suffer from traumatic injuries, including fractures and internal bleeding.

Orthopaedic conditions may also be due to congenital issues or age-related degenerative diseases. Some pets are born with orthopaedic conditions, such as hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia. As animals age, they may also develop conditions like arthritis, which can cause joint pain and stiffness.

Fear-Free Orthopaedic Vet Care

At Paws N’ Claws Veterinary Surgery, we are committed to providing the highest quality orthopaedic care for your pet. Our experienced veterinarians and surgical team are dedicated to diagnosing and treating orthopaedic conditions with compassion and expertise, in line with our Fear-Free philosophy.

Our vet clinics in Yishun and Upper Thomson each houses a sterile, comprehensive surgical theatre with state-of-the-art equipment and techniques to ensure optimal outcomes for your furkids. Find out more about the range of surgical services available at Paws N’ Claws.

We handle many common orthopaedic cases in-house, including fracture repairs and FHO procedures. Nonetheless, there may occasionally be complicated or complex cases that require a more specialised approach at an emergency animal hospital.

In such instances, we are happy to refer your pet to orthopaedic veterinary surgeons or specialists at relevant hospitals and clinics. Rest assured that our goal is to ensure your pet gets the best possible veterinary care.