If you have ever owned a dog, you know they are, by and large, healthy animals. They may get sick here or there and they certainly require the care of a veterinarian, but they should spend most of their time being happy and healthy.
If you’ve ever owned a dog, you know they are by and large healthy animals. They may get sick here or there and they certainly require the care of a veterinarian and a good owner, but they should spend most of their time being happy and healthy. This is, of course, unless they are injured or are nearing the end of their life. But it is in these times that orthopedics can help a dog the most. There are several veterinary materials and pieces of equipment that can help a dog overcome their injury and return to a healthy, normal life.
While usually left to a last resort, orthopedics does sometimes mean surgery for a dog who has been injured or has sustained regular wear to their bones and cartilage which is preventing it from functioning on a normal, pain-free level. A veterinarian will use specialized techniques and equipment to perform these surgeries, minimizing the pain and discomfort for the animal while maximizing the effectiveness. Because few people have health insurance for their pets, doctors have been forced to keep surgical costs reasonable in the veterinary field, quite unlike what has been seen in the human sector.
In the case of broken bones, the field of orthopedics often provides for casts. This is, of course, true in both animals and humans. The difference is that humans can easily find a way to live their lives around their cast. It isn’t so easy for dogs, who must use all four of their legs for proper locomotion. The dog must learn to walk even on the broken leg, which can be difficult and uncomfortable. With care and an appropriate amount of accommodations from their owner, however, they can make it through this difficult period.
Following a surgery involving orthopedics, a dog will have to be bandaged to allow them to heal. Most dogs don’t like this at all. They want to lick and bite at the affected area, which can tear away the bandage and invite infection and bleeding. This is why it is important for owners to watch their dogs carefully and make sure they are not messing with the dressing after a surgery. If necessary, the doctor may recommend a satellite for the dog to prevent them from biting at the bandaged area. Dogs are usually very fast healers, however, so this period (and surely it is embarrassing even for the least self aware of canines) will be over quite soon in many instances.
