Dogs General Health
Perth’s Go-To Cruciate Surgeon for Dogs
Making the world a happier place, one leg at a time.
Dog Cruciate Surgery In Perth
First of all, what’s a cruciate ligament?
You’ve got two of them in each of your knees and so does your dog. The cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) is the most common of the two to experience problems. When the Cruciate Ligament in a human ruptures, it is typically the result of an athletic injury. This can also be true for dogs - jumping for a ball and what have you - but more common for dogs is the gradual degeneration of the ligament leading to an eventual rupture. Not only can this be more challenging for us to diagnose, but, as you can imagine, it’s also quite painful and not a lot of fun for your dog!
Cruciate ligament injuries in dogs are the most common cause of hind limb lameness in dogs and the bigger the pup, the bigger the issue. For us humans, surgery isn’t the only option; rest and physical rehabilitation might be recommended depending on the circumstances. For dogs, however, recoveries without surgery are rare and delaying surgery often leads to an increased risk of cartilage damage.
If your dog appears to struggle when applying weight to one of its hind legs, then they might be experiencing ligament degeneration or rupture. If so, don’t delay! Contact us immediately using the form below to book an urgent consultation.
Furry Family Members We’ve Healed
Bruce’s Cruciate Surgery Journey
Like Bruce, there are many dogs who experience a torn cruciate ligament. This causes significant instability in the affected rear leg to the point that no pressure can be placed on it. Like Bruce, many dogs have come to Hilton Vet Hospital and have regained athletic ability after treatment and rehabilitation. Here are a few clips to show Bruce’s progress. Within just one week Bruce was up and about with just a small limp.
Keisha’s Cruciate Surgery
Keisha is a lovely 9-year-old Golden Retriever who needed Cruciate Surgery. After examination, the MMP Cruciate Surgery was the best choice and as you can see the recovery was fantastic! Hilton Vet Hospital sees great results for Cruciate Ligament Surgeries in Perth.
Your pet’s health and wellbeing is our #1 concern.
Our second-opinion consultations are completely free so you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank while you’re worrying about your furry friend.
At Hilton Vet Hospital, we offer two surgical repair techniques to restore stability in the knee:
LFS
MMP
" You want your dog back in great shape. Guess what? So do we."
How We Mend Man’s Best Friend
We understand that when your pet is in pain, you’re hurting too. At Hilton Vet Hospital, we determine which of two procedures is going to be most beneficial for your dog so that we can get them back to their original self. Below we offer some detail on both procedures as well as videos and a PDF that are packed with extra information!
Your pets are our passion and we don’t want to see them suffering any more than you do, but we can’t help if we don’t know you need it! Starting the healing process is as simple as signing up for an online newsletter - except we only use your information to get in touch.
Vaccination For Dogs
Puppies and dogs are at risk from a number of serious infections. However, they can be protected from most of these diseases by a simple vaccination program.
As both dogs and their owners are very mobile it is likely that your pet will come into contact with infections present in unvaccinated puppies and dogs or in the environment.
Vaccination is a cost effective way of protecting your dog or puppy against serious disease and the possible high costs involved in their treatment.
All the vaccines we use are made to the highest standards of safety and effectiveness. Puppies and dogs can be protected from the following infectious diseases by vaccination:
6 weeks
- Canine Parvovirus
- Canine Hepatitis
- Canine Distemper
12 weeks
- Canine Parvovirus
- Canine Hepatitis
- Canine Distemper
- Canine (Kennel) Cough
16 weeks
- Canine Parvovirus
- Canine Hepatitis
- Canine Distemper
- Canine (Kennel) Cough
Viruses
Canine Parvovirus
Canine Parvovirus causes severe, debilitating disease in dogs of all ages. Young puppies are most susceptible to infection and the development of severe disease. Dogs and puppies can die within days of contracting the disease.
Signs of Canine Parvovirus infection include vomiting, diarrhoea (usually containing blood), severe abdominal pain and depression. Canine Parvovirus can remain in the environment for over 12 months.
Canine 'Kennel' Cough
Canine Cough is mostly caused by Bordetella Bronchiseptica and Parainfluenza virus. The vaccination is very effective if done once a year, but if there is high exposure to these organisms every six months is recommended. The disease causes a tracheobroncitis with almost constant coughing. With treatment the disease can take 7 to 10 days to improve. We recommend that you vaccinate your dog against Canine Cough just before it goes to kennels.
Canine Distemper
Canine Hepatitis
Canine Hepatitis is a highly infectious disease which causes liver damage in dogs. Puppies are most at risk and signs of infection include fever, ocular lesions, respiratory signs, jaundice, depression, lack of appetite, diarrhoea and abdominal pain (due to liver enlargement).
The virus is passed by contact with infected dogs and through contact with the urine of infected dogs. It can continue to infect dogs for months after apparent recovery from disease. This virus can also cause long-term kidney and liver problems in older dogs.
Sterilisation
Surgical sterilisation is the preferred method of sterilisation because it is a permanent solution to many behavioural issues and prevention of unwanted pregnancies
Chemical sterilisation is temporary and can be done in male dogs to prevent mating for 6 to 12 months. This is done by injecting an implant under the skin that slowly releases a hormone that suppresses the development of testosterone.
At Hilton Vet Hospital, we recommend sterilising both male and female dogs from 6 months of age. Contact us today to find out more and to book your pet in for sterilisation.
Why Sterilise Your Dog?
Dogs are able to start having puppies at a very young age, and can potentially deliver many litters.
Surveys indicate that dogs that are not sterilised have an increased risk of being abandoned or surrendered.
In Perth, hundreds of dogs are put down each week and about 20,000-30,000 dogs are destroyed each year. Many more are dumped in areas where their likely fate is death by accident, starvation, disease, or from predators. The numbers escalate over the Christmas and Easter periods.
It is reported that the biggest behavioural effect of sterilisation is the huge reduction in roaming, especially of male dogs. Any reduction in stray dogs has a significant public benefit.
Sterilisation eliminates health problems later in life such as prostate enlargement and infection in dogs. It eliminates the risk of ovarian cysts and uterine infection (pyometra) in bitches.
Ovariohysterectomy (Spay)
Why Spay My Female Dog?
It stops her from coming on heat
Prevent unwanted pregnancies
Reduce the chance of mammary tumours
Prevent infections of the uterus
Prevent ovarian cancer
Why come to Hilton Vet for the sterilisation of your pet? You can expect skillful, accurate and precise vets to care for your pet in our purpose-built surgical theatre. Our qualified nurses provide excellent care with a focus on comfort; We provide excellent pain relief during and after the surgery.
Castration
In this operation, which is performed under general anaesthetic, both testicles are removed, thus removing the source of sperm and the male sex hormone (testosterone).
At Hilton Vet Hospital we recommend to sterilise both male and female dogs from 6 months of age. Contact us today to find out more and to book your pet in for sterilisation.
Why Castrate My Male Dog?
Prevent him making female dogs pregnant
Stop him marking his territory (especially inside the house)
Prevent testicular cancer
Reduces the chance of prostate enlargement that can lead to urinary straining.
A sterilisation subsidy from the Fremantle City Council is available for both cats and dogs. Conditions apply. For further information regarding the subsidy telephone the Service and Information Counter on 9432 9899.
Your dog will be comfortable and pain-free.
What Does The Surgery Involve?
Your dog needs to come to Hilton Vet Hospital on the appointed morning being fasted for 12 hours. Admission time is between 8am and 9am. The surgery is a day procedure that is done under general gas anaesthesia. An intravenous fluid drip is placed to keep the blood pressure stable and make sure your pet wakes up feeling fully hydrated. As we warm the drip fluid, your pet will be comfortable and warm during the surgical procedure.
Your pet will be connected to an advanced surgical monitor that allows us to keep a close eye on temperature, heart rate, respiration and oxygen saturation. The surgery is done under total sterile conditions to prevent infections. Your pet will receive triple pain relief to make sure all pain is under control. Pain relief includes an anti-inflammatory that lasts 24 hours, a strong pain killer that last 6 hours and a long acting local anaesthetic that blocks the pain at the surgical site.
Your pet will go home with an Elizabethan collar to prevent them from licking the wound. We also provide pain relief for the next three days. After 2 weeks, we do a recheck of the surgical site and the stitches are removed.
The most common worms that infect dogs and cats are Roundworm, Hookworm, Whipworm, Flea Tapeworm and Hydatid Tapeworm. To control these worms it is necessary to have a regular worming routine.
We recommend regular worming at least every three months.
2-8 Weeks
Frequency
Worm every 2 weeks
2-3 Months
Frequency
Worm every month
4 Months +
Frequency
Worm every 3 months
Contact us to get the appropriate wormer for your pets body weight
Heart Worm Prevention
Adult female worms in the dog’s heart produce microscopic embryonic microfilariae which circulate in the peripheral blood. After ingestion, the microfilariae migrate from the mosquito’s midgut, undergo development involving two moults, and after a period of two weeks the infective third stage larvae migrate towards the mosquito’s head. The infected mosquito will then transfer the larvae during feeding on a dog or cat. Following their penetration into the final host, the third stage larvae migrate through body tissue where they develop into fourth stage larvae, then immature adults which finally reach the heart via the venous system. Adults mature in about 6 months and are found in the heart and major vessels. The adults mate, and the female produces millions of microfilariae to circulate in the peripheral blood to renew the cycle. The dog can be severely affected, with major vessels becoming blocked with chronic infections. Death usually results in such cases from heart failure.
Products recommended by Hilton Vet Hospital
Flea Control
Adult fleas can cause severe flea bite allergic dermatitis in dogs and cats and can be detrimental to the animals’ health. It is essential to use products that are safe for pets and their owners, but also very effective in killing the adult fleas on the animals. A wide variety of very effective products exist. Your vet can assist you in choosing the right product for your circumstances.
Adult fleas spend most of their time feeding off dogs cats and other small animals. The adults make up only 5 % of the total flea population. The other 95 % consist of flea eggs, larvae and pupae that exist in the area where the animals live. This is usually in and around the house.
As fleas are largely an environmental problem, it is essential to vacuum clean carpets and floors to keep flea eggs and larvae to a minimum. Focus on the low traffic areas, under furniture, around edges of rooms and animal resting places. It is a good idea to spray the areas with a IGR (insect growth regulator) synthetic pyrethroid. The IGR specifically inhibits development of the flea larva stage.
Advantage
Arthritis Causes Pain
The following are symptoms your pet might show if there is joint pain:
Change in behaviour
Slowing down or getting tired quicker
Difficulty jumping, climbing stairs or running
Difficulty getting up from a lying position
Stiffness, limping or altered gait
Licking of a joint
Reluctance to play
Start Treatment Early
The aim of the treatment is to slow down the degenerative effect of the arthritis in the joints. (Slow down the snowball effect.)
Start Your Dog's Healing Journey Today
Aim of treatment for Arthritis in Pets:
Slow down the progress of arthritis
Improve the cartilage and inside of joint
Reduce inflammation
Keep your pet mobile and pain free
Prevent loss of muscle mass
Treatment of Arthritis in Pets
Zydax is the foundational treatment of arthritis. It is given as a series of injections, one per week for four weeks. This is then repeated every six months.
Zydax acts in multiple ways:
Stimulates the regeneration of cartilage cells
Inhibits the destructive enzymes that damage cartilage
Stimulates joint capsule cells to produce lubricating joint fluid
Reduces swelling and blocks inflammatory processes
Improves blood flow and nutrition to joint structures
Supportive Arthritis Treatment for Senior Pets
Zydax Injections
4cyte supplement
Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulphate
Green Lipped Mussel
Mobility Diets such as Delicate Care Mobility and Royal Canin Mobility
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories
Appropriate exercise
Blood Tests And Age Related Diseases
Recommendation: annual blood test from the age of 7 years onwards.
With our in-house Idexx Laboratory we can run the blood tests while you wait.
What do we test for?
Blood glucose
Kidney function
Liver function
Thyroid gland function
Blood protein
Electrolytes
Red blood and white blood cell counts
Call us to book your appointment at Hilton Vet Hospital today.
Signs of age related disease:
Drinking and urinating more
Kidney disease
Diabetes
Liver disease
Cushings syndrome
Abdominal distention
Liver disease
Cushings syndrome
Abdominal tumours
Heart disease
Weight loss
Most diseases
Intestinal worms
Lumps
Tumours
Abscesses
Haematomas
Dog Walking
Dog Exercise Areas Fremantle
- Rocky Bay Foreshore, Rule Street, North Fremantle
- North Fremantle Foreshore, Johanna Street, North Fremantle
- Beach Street Reserve, Beach Street/Canning Hwy, Fremantle
- Fremantle Park, Ellen/Ord Street, Fremantle
- Knutsford Street Playground, Knutsford/Swanbourne Street, Fremantle
- Wilson Park, South Terrace/Douro Rd, South Fremantle
- Parmelia Street Reserve, Parmelia/Chester Street, South Fremantle
- Bruce Lee Reserve, South/Caesar Street, Beaconsfield
- Davis Park, Conway/Edgar Court, Beaconsfield.
- Hilton Park, Lefroy/Carrington Street, Hilton.
- Griffiths Place Reserve, Griffiths Place/Nicholas Crescent, Hilton
- Grigg Place Park, Grigg Place/Snook Crescent, Hilton
- Sir Frederick Samson Park, Sellenger/McCombe Avenue, Samson
- 8 Horrie Long Reserve, Amherst/Forrest Street, Fremantle-
- Gibson Park, High/Chudleigh Street, Fremantle
- South Beach Reserve (north of Douro Rd to Sailing Club only), Marine Terrace, South Fremantle.
- Leighton Beach (area north of railway footbridge), Port Beach Rd, North Fremantle
