Among the frequent causes of hind leg limping in dogs, a Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) injury stands out. Comparable to the ACL in humans, the CCL is a crucial ligament in a dog’s knee. Its primary function is to prevent the shin bone (tibia) from sliding forward concerning the thigh bone (femur). When the CCL is partially or completely torn, it leads to an unstable and painful knee, which manifests as a limp.

In some cases, dogs experience a complete CCL tear, resulting in an abrupt cessation of weight-bearing on the injured leg. However, a more common scenario involves sporadic limping. Over the course of weeks, months, or even years, dogs might exhibit on-and-off limping. Initially, rest and pain relief measures might alleviate the limping, but eventually, the situation worsens. This progression often occurs when a partial CCL tear transforms into a full tear or when dogs with a CCL tear also damage their medial meniscus, a knee shock absorber. Around 50-60% of dogs with full CCL tears and 5-7% with partial tears end up injuring their meniscus.

Diagnosing a CCL tear hinges on identifying “cranial drawer” instability during an orthopedic examination. While most dogs can undergo this examination while awake, some may require sedation due to pain, tension, or anxiety.

Multiple approaches exist for treating CCL tears in dogs. One widely employed technique is the Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO). The objective of TPLO is to modify the forces within the knee, creating stability even without a functional CCL. This involves making a curved cut in the shin bone, repositioning the cut bone segment, and securing it with a bone plate and screws. This adjustment provides a more stable platform for the thigh bone, enlisting other muscles and ligaments to aid in knee stability.

Having personally performed and assisted in over 1,000 TPLOs, I hold the procedure in high regard for its reliability and success. With an experienced surgeon at the helm, TPLO can offer dogs a favorable chance of complete recovery with minimal complications. Nonetheless, as with any endeavor, TPLO has its limitations, and individual factors can impact its effectiveness.

Precise preparation for TPLO mandates accurately positioned x-rays of the knee and shin bone, allowing measurements and surgical planning. This information guides the choice of tools, bone cut placement, and joint surface rotation. Tailoring the approach to factors like your dog’s shin bone shape, meniscus condition, or additional problems such as a dislocated kneecap may be necessary. In certain situations, an alternative procedure could be recommended.

If your dog is dealing with a continuous or worsening limp, we encourage you to reach out to Sunstone Veterinary Specialists for an estimate of the costs involved.

Lillian Su, DVM, MVSc, CCRP, Diplomate ACVS-SA

Certified Specialist in Small Animal Surger

CT vs HDVI

The team at Sunstone Veterinary Specialists is very excited to let the community know about a new piece of advanced imaging equipment we have acquired. CT or ‘cat’ scan is a well-known method of advanced medical imaging that allows us to “look” through the body, map organs, tissues and sometimes observe abnormal structures. CT (Computed Tomography) in simple terms, is a series of tiny x-rays collected by a computer as the x-ray machine is spinning around the outside of a patient’s body. Each tiny x-ray is then added together through software to create a bread loaf-like slice of the area that has been scanned. The slices, which vary in thickness depending on the machine, are then “stitched together” by the computer blending and approximating the space between the slices. 

This blog post is likely a bit different than what you’ve come to expect from us here at Sunstone Vets but alas, here we are. We know that if you are anything like us, you have been inundated with information, news and opinions regarding the COVID-19 virus. As a company, we wanted to take the time to address the situation in regards to our pets and what we are doing to help keep you and our staff safe.

In the last installment of our blog, we introduced you to one of our favorite diagnostic tools- endoscopy! We went over the basics and talked about gastrointestinal endoscopy, the most common form of endoscopy we do here at Sunstone Vets. Here’s the link to that blog in case you missed it! This week, we will learn about the other types of flexible and rigid endoscopy that we offer and how they can help your four legged family member.

Welcome to the next installment of the Sunstone Vets Blog! This week, we will be talking about one of our favorite, minimally invasive diagnostic tools…..endoscopy! Endoscopy is a catch all term for a variety of procedures that allow us to examine the inside of the body. The medical suffix “-scopy” simply means to use an instrument for examination or viewing. When combined with other terms, it describes the body area we are looking at. For example: Rhinoscopy (the study of the nasal cavity); Cystoscopy (study of the urinary bladder); Bronchoscopy (the airways); Gastroduodenoscopy (stomach and small intestine); Colonoscopy (large intestine)…. you get the idea! In this and the next blog, we will describe each endoscopic procedure that we offer here at Sunstone Vets and what you can expect for you and your furry friend.

By the time you get to Sunstone Veterinary Specialists for your pets Initial Consultation, we know that you have likely already invested time, energy, money and worry into their illness. You may have been referred to us by your family veterinarian or maybe you simply decided to seek another opinion. However you found us, we want to give you the tools to help ensure a successful first visit. Read on for insider tips on what to expect at your pets Internal Medicine Consultation.

If you are reading this blog, your pet has likely been advised to have an abdominal ultrasound for some type of health issue they are having.   So, what exactly is an abdominal ultrasound? What are we looking for? What will happen to your pet during this test? This blog will cover the basic questions and concerns you may have regarding this common diagnostic procedure.

It seems safe to say that winter has officially fallen upon the Pacific Northwest! Mount Hood got a foot of new snow the past few days (good news for all you skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts)! Down here in the valley we are all enjoying the magical time of year when you don’t even need to look at the weather app to know ‘cold and rainy’ is in the forecast. But what does this change in seasons mean for our four legged friends? Read on for some winter weather pet safety tips to help keep your fur babies warm and cozy.

Keep your fur friends safe during this heat wave. Follow some simple tips to stay safe in the heat:

1. No car rides! Leave the pups at home. Even in the morning time, your car can rapidly heat up, and that cracked window does nothing to keep them cool. A car can overheat in minutes at 70 degrees.

2. Exercise them in the early morning, when the air and pavement are coolest. Hot pavement can easily burn their paws, and exercise in the hot afternoon can lead to heat stroke.

3. Make sure they always have access to cool water. Use ice cubes, give them frozen veggies as snacks (mine love frozen green beans and carrots). You can even make frozen low sodium broth cubes in ice cube trays to encourage hydration.

4. Keep them safe at the river/lakes. Bring potable water with you for them to drink and prevent them from drinking from river/lake. If you wouldn’t drink it, don’t let them drink it. If they are swimming, use a doggy life jacket to keep them safe. Keep an eye out for algae advisories-some locations have toxic algae blooms going on, and this is dangerous for both humans and dogs. Also, watch out for dead fish!! Dogs love to snack on them, but in our area they can get a parasite from eating fish that can make them very ill (commonly known as salmon poisoning, although other dead fish can carry it).

Jenne, BA
Referral Coordinator

Have a Pet Safe Spring!

What has certainly been a LONG winter will soon be coming to a close. Colorful blossoms and sunny days are more than welcome and hopefully will be here soon. Spring is right around the corner! Unfortunately, parasites and other seasonal risks can put a damper on all the fun. However, you and your furry friend can still look forward to this wonderful time of year by following some of these basic springtime pet safety guidelines.

Road Trips and Outdoor Activities

One of the first things you may want to do as the weather turns warm is travel. This may include a day trip to a beautiful outdoor park or a vacation to a new destination (spring break, anyone?). When traveling with your pet, keep the following safety precautions in mind:

·      Make sure the destination is truly pet-friendly and that your pet is travel-ready. When in doubt, consider a good boarding facility.

·      For road trips, don’t forget your pet’s crate or seatbelt harness. Bring plenty of water and other daily care essentials.

·      If your plans include hiking, avoid a wildlife encounter by keeping your dog leashed, vaccinated, and supervised. Remember, skunks, coyotes, and other animals can transmit deadly diseases.

·      Microchip your pet and keep ID tags updated.

Lawn and Garden Care

Spring is a great time to tackle the yard and clean up the garden. But wait! Many products can be toxic to dogs, cats, and other animals. Before beautifying your backyard, be aware of the following poisonous products:

·      Mulch containing cacao bean hulls

·      Slug and snail bait

·      Rose care products

·      Compost (often contains potentially toxic foods and dangerous molds)

·      Plants such as lilies, sego palms, and crocuses

·      Fleas, Ticks, and Mosquitoes…Oh My!

Although parasites can threaten the health of pets (and people) any time of year, spring can be when most fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes come out in droves. That’s why it’s critical to keep your furry pal on a year-round preventive. Remember, administering an over-the-counter product without consulting your veterinarian can place your pet in harm’s way.

Pet Allergies

Another springtime risk to keep in mind includes protecting your pal against allergies. If you notice your pet itching, losing fur, sneezing, or developing hot spots, please contact your Veterinarian. There are many great treatment options available to ease the discomfort of your pet’s seasonal allergies.

In general, spring means more outdoor time with our pets, which means greater distractions and more risks. If you are in doubt, remember to contact your Vet about any products that could be harmful to your pet.

We hope these tips can help you spend more quality time with your pet and enjoy a much deserved springtime.  Remember awareness and preventative action is everything!

Kat

Surgery Assistant