If you follow sports, may hear of an athlete having surgery to repair a torn ACL. But, do you know what that terminology actually means -- and did you know that your dog or cat could encounter the same problem?

ACL stands for anterior cruciate ligament, which, along with the posterior cruciate ligament, holds the knee joint together. These ligaments prevent the upper leg bone, or femur, and the lower leg bones, or tibia, from wiggling back and forth. If the ACL tears or ruptures, the tibia suddenly becomes free to move forward while the femur shifts backward, a characteristic of the condition known as “drawer movement.” This condition frequently occurs when a dog or cat makes a sudden twisting motion while bearing weight on the its leg. Carrying too much weight increases a pet’s chances of a ruptured ACL. But, a ruptured ACL need not stem from a sudden injury. In some cases, the ligament weakens over time until it finally gives way.

ACL Treatment for Bryan Pets

What can you do if your pet has a ruptured ACL? First, you must recognize the symptoms. If your pet seems to have become lame in one leg, with a reluctance to put all four feet on the ground, it may have an ACL problem, especially if you notice swelling in the knee area. Fortunately, our skilled veterinarian can diagnose the condition and perform surgery to repair the problem.

Here, at Fountain City Veterinary Hospital in Bryan, we include dog & cat surgery among our many services. We can diagnose a ruptured ACL by watching for the “drawer movement” and observing the pattern of the swelling, and we can confirm the diagnosis with X-rays if necessary. Depending on the extent of the injury, we may suture the ligament back together, rebuild it from synthetic materials or alter a portion of the tibia to stabilize the joint.

Have you had previous experiences with dog & cat surgery? If so, did it help your pet? Post your personal stories here!

 

Heartworm is a serious malady that primarily afflicts dogs and some cats. At  our animal hospital, we encourage pet owners to be diligent in providing  their pets with the heartworm prevention they need to stay healthy. At Fountain City Veterinary Hospital, our veterinarians can educate you on what heartworm is, how it affects your pets and why it is so important to prevent it.

Heartworm Treatment

Mosquitoes are the carrier or intermediate host for heartworms. When mosquitoes bite your cat or dog, they inject larvae that can develop into heartworms as long as 12 inches in size. While these worms frequently take up residence in the right ventricle of the heart they may also migrate into the pulmonary artery. This is where the most damage can occur, making your
pet critically ill or even cause death.

The first line of defense against heartworm is prevention. At our hospital, we conduct blood tests, x-rays or ultrasound of the heart to determine if your dog or cat has a heartworm disease. If your pet does not, we can provide the essential medicine your pet needs to prevent heartworms. This
may be an oral or a topical medication.

If your pet has developed heartworms, you typically will need to schedule outpatient procedures for injections to kill the heartworms. Heartworm infection can be fatal to your pet if not treated.

Symptoms of heartworm infestation in its early stages can vary from no symptoms at all to coughing, lethargy, fatigue and weight loss. Severe infection can cause anemia, congestive heart failure and collapse. Please call us today at our animal hospital if you have any concerns or questions or need to make an appointment. Our phone number is 419-636-5081 or 800-636-5081.

When was the last time you tested your pet for heartworm disease?