Mon, Tues, Thurs: 7:30 AM – 7 PM
Mon: Closed 12 PM – 1 PM
Wed, Fri: 7:30 AM – 5 PM
Sat: 8 AM – 12 PM
Sun: Closed

Diagnostics & Surgery

Deer Grove Provides Laser Therapy & Surgery for Your Pets

Laser Therapy

Deer-Grove Vet Clinic offers therapy laser service. This allows us to offer another way to help control pain and speed the healing process in a wide variety of cases.

What is laser therapy?

Laser therapy involves applying a laser light onto areas of injury or pain, and this has multiple beneficial effects. The laser light increases blood flow to the area, speeding the healing process and in some cases creating a warming feeling. It reduces inflammation and swelling, and also reduces pain and muscle spasms. It is a non-invasive procedure, and the laser light can penetrate the skin to treat deeper tissues like muscles, ligaments, and bone.

Laser therapy has been in use in human medicine in Europe for over 20 years, and has been approved by the FDA for use in the United States since 2002. Many professional sports teams and physical therapists use laser therapy.

How is laser therapy used on pets?

It can be used on everything from cuts and wounds on the skin to arthritic joints to muscle and exercise-related injuries.

We are now using laser therapy on most of our patients immediately after surgery to help speed the healing process and to help control pain along with oral pain medications.

The number of laser treatments needed depends on the type of injury or illness being treated. Recent injuries or wounds tend to respond within a few treatments, and long-term conditions like arthritis may take more treatments spread out over a longer time.

If you have questions regarding laser therapy and how your pet could benefit from this new treatment option, please contact us at 608-839-5323.

TTA (Tibial Tuberosity Advancement) Surgery

The three most common corrective procedures for the repair of a torn ACL are: the external capsular repair, the TTA, and the TPLO.

This procedure involves stabilizing the joint by placing a very strong suture under the skin but on the outside of the joint to stop the Tibial Thrust that was explained in the “Rupture of the ACL” section of this site. It relies on the production of scar tissue to eventually hold the joint stable. Even though there have been many patients that have had very successful outcomes with external capsular repair, the number of dogs that do not stabilize adequately is too high to consider it a suitable treatment for this injury. One of the factors that contribute to the frequent failure of this procedure is the length of time (4-6 months) that it takes for the stabilizing scar tissue to develop; it is very difficult to control the activity of some dogs for such a long period of time. All it takes is one moment of high energy exertion or play to break down all of the healing that has taken place and return the dog to complete instability. In addition, this procedure does nothing to stop the forces that contribute to Tibial Thrust; the femur is still trying to slide off the back side of the tibia every time the dog puts weight on the leg.

The TTA and the TPLO both work off of the same premise of restructuring the stifle joint so that Tibial Thrust is neutralized. Both of these procedures have an advantage over external capsular repair because they neutralize Tibial Thrust, this means that during normal weight bearing the femur is not being forced off of the back of the tibia.

This is a surgery that was introduced in 2004 as an alternative method of correcting the pathology created when the ACL is torn. It has been used successfully in over 30,000 dogs. Some of the advantages over the TPLO are that the bone cut (osteotomy) does not compromise the weight bearing surface of the tibia, it decreases the pressure applied to the Femur beneath the Patella which should stop or decrease further arthritic changes in this area of the joint. In addition, Patellar luxation can usually be corrected with the TTA in a simple manner.

When viewed from the side, in a normal standing position, the rear limb of a dog is not straight. The angle between the femur and the tibia is less than 180 degrees (typically it is about 150 degrees). At this angle, there is a load on the ACL if the ligament is damaged this load contributes to tibial thrust. When the leg is flexed to approximately 110 degrees, the angle of the common tangent (which is similar to the tibial plateau) intersecting the patellar ligament is 90 degrees (the ACL is no longer loaded) and tibial thrust is neutralized. This angle is called the “cross over point” Any time the stifle is flexed at an angle between this cross over point and 180 degrees the ACL is loaded. Any time the stifle is flexed to an angle less than the “cross-over” point, the ACL is not loaded and Tibial Thrust has been neutralized. The purpose of the TTA surgery is to change the cross-over point. When completed tibial thrust will be eliminated, and your pets stifle will be comfortable and stable while standing in a normal position.

Changing the cross-over point is accomplished by moving the Tibial Tuberosity (top, front of the shin bone) forward so that in a normal standing position the angle between the common tangent and the patellar ligament is 90 degrees. The tibial tuberosity is cut away from the tibia and a titanium cage is then inserted into the opening where the bone was cut to act as a spacer to hold tuberosity forward from its original location. The tuberosity is secured in place with a titanium plate, and the opening between the tuberosity and the tibia (the osteotomy) is packed with bone graft material that will provide Living bone cells to help the space fill with bone.

Your pet will need to be leashed for about 8 weeks from the time of the surgery to allow the osteotomy to fill with bone. During a portion of this time your pet’s leg will be immobilized in a custom made splint that is meant to decrease the likelihood of them stressing and damaging the surgery site before it gains adequate strength. A radiograph will be taken about 4 weeks after the surgery to check for adequate healing.

This procedure involves cutting away a portion of the top of the tibia, rotating it and reattaching it with a bone plate. This cut encompasses the weight bearing surface of the tibia. The TPLO is technically more difficult to perform than the TTA. It increases the pressure that is exerted by the patella (knee cap) on the femur, which increases the risk of cartilage erosion and arthritis at this location. In a few cases, it has an advantage over the TTA because some angular limb deformities might be corrected with the TPLO. Also, if the tibial plateau angle is too steep it may not be possible to advance the tuberosity far enough to negate tibial thrust. If either of these conditions are found on exam, you will be encouraged to discuss them with a TPLO surgeon.


Just as physical therapy is crucial to the best outcome possible in human orthopedics it provides a much better chance of success in pet orthopedics too. After your pet has undergone either the TTA or TPLO surgery their stifle has been reconstructed to allow comfortable function without the ligament. The stabilizing force that was applied to the joint by the ligament when it was functioning is now being applied by the quadracep muscle group located on the front of the thigh. It is important that these muscles continue to maintain their strength and function well so that they may keep the joint stable. A trained physical therapist can help your pet with exercises that will improve flexibility and strength to assure the best outcome possible from these surgeries. There are several qualified physical therapists in the Madison area that can provide these services. We will give you the contact information for them at your surgery discharge.

Rupture of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)

The cruciate ligaments are located on the inside of the stifle (knee). They stabilize the connection between the femur and the tibia in a forward/backward direction. The caudal cruciate ligament is much thicker and stronger than the cranial cruciate and rarely tears.

In order for a joint to be stable, all of the forces that are applied within the joint need to be countered by an equal opposing force; if any of these forces become unequal the joint will become unstable. The forces that are applied in the normal canine or feline stifle would cause the femur to slide off of the back of the tibia, but these forces are neutralized by the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).

When the ACL is torn this neutralizing force is lost and the femur tries to painfully slide off of the back of the tibia with every step that is taken. This movement is called Tibial Thrust or Drawer Motion and can be demonstrated with palpation while your pet is sedated. This instability causes pain because tissues that are now forced to hold the joint are not designed to do so, and in their attempt to hold the joint steady they are stretched and/or stressed with a load beyond their capacity.

Rupture of the ACL is one of the most common causes of rear limb lameness in dogs. They will typically become suddenly lame; sometimes they cannot put any weight on the limb at all. The tear can be partial or complete. A partial tear may be able to provide some stability to the joint, but it is still very painful. This is because the ligament has pain receptors that are stimulated when a partially torn ligament is loaded. Most partial tears will eventually become complete tears because the damaged ligament cannot heal adequately to carry a normal weight load. When the ACL is injured with either a partial or complete tear the damaged tissue releases chemicals into the joint, these chemicals will cause other changes in the joint that aggravate the disease process. These chemicals thin the joint fluid so that it will not protect and lubricate the joint in a normal manner and the cartilage of the joint will be damaged and eroded leading to other secondary arthritic changes. Left untreated the affected joint will be a source of continued pain. Over time, even though this pain does not disappear it does seem that some patients will “get used to it.” However, the abnormal joint will continue developing arthritis, leading to cartilage loss and eventually bone on bone grinding. Therefore, stabilizing the stifle with a torn ligament is important for both the long term and short term comfort of your pet.

Studies have shown that a dog will only bear 20-30% of their normal weight on a torn ACL. This puts the ACL of the other stifle at risk for rupture because of the increased weight it must carry as a result of the pain in the damaged stifle. Approximately 40% of the dogs that have torn one ACL will tear the ligament in their other stifle. For this reason it is important to seek care for a torn ACL as soon as possible and hopefully prevent the need to repair both.

The only way to stabilize a dog’s stifle with a torn ligament is through some type of surgery. Over the years there have been several techniques developed to accomplish this stabilization. However most have not met with satisfactory results on a long term basis. The most common procedures being performed at this time are the external capsular repair, the TPLO, and the TTA. There is a more detailed description of these procedures in the TTA section of this site.

Tonometry

It is crucial for your pet’s vision that we detect and treat glaucoma and other problems with intraocular pressure (pressure within the eye) as quickly as possible. We can test your dog or cat’s eyes for excess pressure easily and safely. The test, performed with a device called a tonometer, is not painful and does not require sedation.

If not treated immediately (within hours to days), glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss or even blindness. Pets that have suffered eye injuries should have this test performed. In addition, we recommend that breeds that are prone to developing glaucoma come in for regular measurements so we can monitor eye pressure and begin treatment before any problem becomes irreversible. Please call us to discuss whether your pet may be at higher risk for glaucoma.

Call us right away if you notice any of the following problems in either or both of your pet’s eyes: dilated (enlarged) pupils, clouding of the cornea (the normally clear outer layer of the eye), red or bloodshot eyes, one eye protruding or appearing larger than the other, squinting, or tearing. Because glaucoma is painful, your pet may react by rubbing or pawing at the eyes or rubbing his or her head against the floor or furniture more than normal.

Radiology (X-rays)

When we need to figure out what’s wrong with your pet, we routinely use x-rays to help identify the cause of the problem, rule out possible problems, or provide a list of possible causes. We may also use x-rays during a wellness exam to diagnose potential problems before they become serious.

X-rays provide valuable information about a pet’s bones, gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestines, colon), respiratory tract (lungs), heart, and genitourinary system (bladder, prostate). We use radiology alone or in conjunction with other diagnostic tools. Interpretation of radiographs requires great skill on the part of the veterinarian.

We are proud to offer digital radiology (x-rays that are captured digitally rather than on film). This state-of-the-art technology allows us to provide you with a quicker diagnosis for your pet. Plus, it uses less radiation than traditional x-rays.

To avoid a blurry image, pets need to remain completely still while an x-ray is taken. In some cases, we may need to sedate your pet or use short-acting general anesthesia.

If you have any questions about our radiology service or what to expect during your pet’s procedure, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Your Pet's Anesthesia

Your Pet’s Safety and comfort on their day of surgery is of the utmost importance to us at the Deer-Grove Veterinary Clinic. For this reason we have developed an anesthetic regimen that we feel will provide him/her with safety and comfort and you with the confidence that your pet’s stay with us will be as pleasant as possible.

The first step is the pre-surgical exam, this will take place prior to your pet’s surgery day. At this visit, we will perform a complete physical exam to ensure your pet is as healthy as possible for anesthesia. A blood sample will be collected to check his/her organ systems to insure proper function and allow us to customize the anesthetic process as needed. At this examination, we will review the required “Informed Consent” paperwork and “Estimate” for the procedure and answer any other questions you may have concerning your pet’s stay with us.

The surgery day starts with admission to our clinic, this will occur between 7:30 and 8:00 AM unless advised otherwise. Please understand that we may have several patients arriving for anesthetic procedures and you will be checked in according to order of arrival.

During admission, a technician will confirm all procedures to be completed and obtain a contact number for you in case of an emergency or if questions arise during surgery. Please plan to be available by phone should such contact be necessary. If any additional services are requested it will be necessary to make, review, and sign an amended estimate, these changes must be reviewed by one of our Doctors which may delay your check-in. To ensure a quicker admission, please inform us in advance of any changes or additions needed.

Once admitted, your pet will receive a final pre-anesthetic exam by the doctor performing their procedure. If there are any new concerns you will be contacted. Then your pet will have an intravenous catheter placed; this will allow quick access to a vein during the procedure to administer medications and fluids as needed. All surgery patients receive premedications prior to anesthesia. These premedications include pain relievers, sedatives, and for some procedures antibiotics. The specific medications will be determined by the age and health status of your pet.

After your pet is comfortably sedated they will undergo induction, this involves an injection of medication that will allow us to place an endotracheal tube which allows us to control their breathing. When the endotracheal tube is in place it will be attached to an anesthetic machine that will supply your pet with oxygen and Sevoflorane gas. Sevoflorane is the safest anesthetic gas available at this time and is the only anesthetic gas that is used at the Deer-Grove Veterinary Clinic.

While anesthetized, your pet will receive intravenous fluids in order to maintain proper blood flow and blood pressure. They will be monitored by a certified technician for body temperature, blood pressure, oxygen content in their blood, respiration and heart rate. Maintaining proper body temperature is very important to your pets comfort and speedy recovery from anesthesia. We have a variety of warming devices to control your pet’s temperature both during anesthesia and also during recovery.

Pain medication will be determined by the type of surgery performed and your pet’s pain tolerance. All patients will receive an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) unless specifically contraindicated. For more extensive surgeries, they may receive an epidural injection of morphine, or patients needing more pain relief may be given a Constant Rate Infusion (CRI). CRI involves a small constant rate of medications that will provide better control of pain with less total volume needed which enhances the safety of your pet. For some procedures such as declaws, and oral surgery we will administer a local anesthetic that will provide greater comfort for a longer period of time after the procedure is complete.

After the procedure is completed, your pet will be moved to recovery. Here they will receive surgery post-op care which includes continued monitoring for heart rate, body temperature, respiratory rate, and overall comfort. More pain relief or other medications will be administered as needed. You will be contacted by the surgery doctor after your pet is fully recovered and awake from anesthesia. Your pet will continue to be monitored on a regular basis until he/she is discharged to you.

At discharge you will be given special instructions or information that may be needed for your pet’s care. Medications will be dispensed and instructions reviewed to ensure that your pet has the speediest recovery.

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Mon, Tues, Thurs: 7:30 AM – 7 PM
Mon: Closed 12 PM - 1 PM
Wed, Fri: 7:30 AM – 5 PM
Sat: 8 AM – 12 PM
Sun: Closed