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?

 

Home Dental Cleanings Help Prevent Disease

Just like good hygiene for you means regular brushing and flossing, good pet care includes regular teeth cleanings and examinations. Regular pet dental cleaning prevents erosion of gum tissue, promotes healthy enamel and makes your pet more pleasant to be around. It can also help pets live healthier lives and minimize visits to a veterinary hospital oral issues. Bryan residents are invited to partner with our veterinarians at Fountain City Veterinary Hospital to develop a home pet dental routine for pets.

Visit Our Bryan Veterinarian before Starting Home Dental Cleanings

Let us help you get started. Bad breath in animals may be an indication of a number of medical conditions, including kidney failure, animal diabetes, infections, cancer, or unhealthy eating habits. A professional dental exam at our hospital will ensure that your pet does not have any oral health issues or other related illnesses. Finally, we will show you proper cleaning techniques in our Bryan office.

Start with the right tools. Pet stores offer a variety of customized pet dental cleaning tools and toothpastes. A brush cleaning tool works for most pets, but there are many other cleaning tools available, such as finger brushes. Please be sure to pick up a tube of pet specific toothpaste. They come in great meat flavors that your animal will enjoy and feature enzymes that aid in cleaning and are safe to swallow (unlike human toothpastes).

Start slow. You’ll save yourself a lot of grief and your pet a lot of discomfort if you get them used to the idea of cleanings before starting in with a full dental cleaning. Let your pet lick the toothpaste from the dental tool and get familiar with the paste and the tool. Once your pet is comfortable, very gently clean the teeth and gums. Focus on the outside areas. Clean your pets’ teeth once or twice a week.

There are many effective chews and toys designed to help keep your pet's teeth clean. The best chew for your pet is the one that is safe and enjoyable. If you have questions about quality chews and toys, please as one of our veterinarians or staff members.

What steps or techniques do you use to make regular brushing a good experience for you and your pet?

Welcome to Our Very First Blog Post!

We know that animal companions bring a great deal of comfort and happiness to our friends and neighbors in Bryan, and we plan on using this blog to provide you with all of the information you need to keep your pet happy and healthy for a long time. If you have questions for a veterinarian or one of the caring team members at our animal vet clinic, please send it in and we’ll be happy to answer.

Our veterinary hospital in Bryan was founded by Dr. Brent Pettigrew. After graduating from Michigan State University, he became a veterinarian in 1976. This was the first practice in the area devoted entirely to pet animal medicine. Dr. Darcy Adams and Dr. Amanda Todd have since joined him at our animal hospital, where we now provide loving care for your dogs, cats and exotic pets.

A Caring Veterinary Hospital That Meets All of Your Pet Care Needs

The primary focus in our animal clinic is on pet well care and preventative health care so your animal companions can experience a long and happy life. Some of the wellness services we provide in our animal vet clinic include pet dental cleaning, flea and tick control, and heartworm treatments. We offer the convenience of such on-site services as radiology, hard-to-find pet ultrasounds, electrocardiograms, and in-house pharmacy and laboratory services. You don’t have to make multiple off-site trips to take care of your pet’s medical care.

When the need arises, services available in our animal hospital include dog and cat surgery, laser surgery, orthopedic surgery, ACL surgery, and treatment of luxated patellas. We perform a great deal of specialty work for near routine fees. You and your pet will both appreciate our laser surgery technique, which cauterizes as it cuts. This approach reduces post-operative bleeding in various types of surgery; getting your pet back to normal activity in less time.

What knowledge would you like provided in upcoming blogs? Whatever your topic, one of our caring veterinarians can help you with all your pet health care concerns.