Client FAQ
How can I schedule an appointment for with the Orthopedic
Surgery Service?
Appointments can be scheduled with the Orthopedic Surgery
Service by contacting the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
Monday through Friday at 979-845-2351. Either you or your
veterinarian can make the initial phone call, but we will need to
speak with your veterinarian prior to confirming the final
appointment.
Do I need to stop all of my pet's medications before the
initial appointment?
Medications prescribed to treat systemic problems such as
hypothyroidism should not be stopped. Medications for pain (aspirin
or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Rimadyl ®) should
be stopped 3-5 days before the initial exam. If your dog is taking
corticosteroids (prednisone, dexamethasone) or antibiotics, these
medications should be stopped for a minimum of 2 weeks prior to
surgery. If your veterinarian suspects an active infection and
prescribed antibiotics, these antibiotics should be continued
through the day of the initial appointment. Always consult your
pet's veterinarian before suddenly stopping any medication.
Will my pet's surgery be performed on the day of the initial
appointment?
No. Dogs undergoing evaluation for orthopedic surgery must be
carefully screened. A thorough physical exam, orthopedic exam,
labwork, and radiographs (x-rays) must be completed before surgery
is considered. If problems are detected during these tests, this
might indicate that your pet is not a good candidate for surgery.
If abnormalities are not detected during the initial exam and
surgery is recommended, the procedure is usually scheduled for the
following day. Occasionally surgery will have to be postponed in
order to perform surgery on more critical emergency patients, such
as those animals with fractured (broken) or luxated (dislocated)
bones.
How long will it take for my pet to recover?
Most orthopedic patients recover from anesthesia and surgery and
are able to go home 1-3 days after surgery. Remember, orthopedic
surgeries are major procedures, and many involve the cutting,
movement, and stabilization of bones and ligaments. Thus, most
veterinary orthopedic patients must be confined to a crate or
kennel and allowed outside only on a leash for a minimum of 4-6
weeks after surgery (see below).
What type of care is required once my pet is home?
Care after surgery falls into two categories. The first category
is care of the surgical incision. Most surgeons will place a
compression bandage on the operated leg after surgery. These
bandages reduce swelling and protect the incision from the outside
environment. If the bandage has been removed when your pet is sent
home, the incision should be kept clean and dry. You should inspect
the wound daily for signs of infection for 10-14 days after
surgery. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, pain or heat
when touched, and fluid coming from the incision. In many cases, we
provide an Elizabethan collar (E-Collar) for your pet. Although
cumbersome, it is critical that your pet wear the E-collar at all
times, usually for 10-14 days after surgery. Allowing your pet to
lick or chew at the incision can cause major complications, such as
an incision infection or dehiscence (the incision begins to come
apart).
The second category of post-op care is exercise restriction and
rehabilitation. We typically recommend that your pet be confined to
a small crate or cage unless your pet is being taken outside on a
leash for prescribed leash walks. The crate should be large enough
for your pet to stand up, turn around, lie down, and have room for
food and water. Confining your pet to a small area of the house
such as a bedroom or a fenced yard/run is not sufficient
confinement. During the recovery period, your pet should be taken
outside 4-5 times a day for 15 minutes to eliminate
(urinate/defecate). Care should be taken to avoid walking on
slippery surfaces, and long flights of stairs are not allowed.
Furthermore, running, jumping, or rough-housing with other pets is
strongly discouraged. After the first 4-6 weeks of cage
confinement, we will typically allow SLOW, 5 minute leash walks 2-3
times a day. These leash walks are increased by 5 minutes each
week, until leash walks are 20 minutes long. Leash walks are
continued until your pet's recommended recheck appointment, at
which time your pet will be re-examined using radiographs (x-rays)
and an orthopedic examination. Based on these tests, additional
recommendations are made regarding exercise restriction and
confinement.
Specific rehabilitation exercises will also be recommended.
These exercises typically include cooling the incision with an ice
pack a few times a day, range of motion exercises for the operated
joint and limb, and other rehabilitation exercises tailored to your
pet's surgery. For more information on our rehabilitation services,
please visit our rehabilitation home page.
My pet was sent home with a bandage on the affected limb. What
type of bandage care is required?
If your pet was discharged with a bandage, this usually means
that the surgical incision or wound is not ready to be exposed to
the outside environment. In some cases, bandaging is required for
days or weeks after surgery. In general, bandage changes are
performed as frequently as every day, or as infrequently as once or
twice a week. Your pet's specific injury and wound will determine
how frequently the bandage should be changed. In all cases, we
recommend that bandages be changed by a licensed veterinarian. When
applied properly, bandages are very effective tools, and are
essential in treating some orthopedic and soft-tissue problems.
When applied improperly, however, bandages can cause serious
injuries, such as pressure sores, open wounds, infections, and even
loss of blood supply to tissues beneath the bandage. For these
reasons, always consult with a veterinarian for bandage care.
If you pet has a bandage on at home, monitor the position of the
bandage daily. If the surgical incision becomes visible, the
bandage has slipped and should be removed or replaced. You should
also prevent the bandage from becoming wet or soiled. Particular
events that cause a bandage to become wet include drinking from the
water bowl or walking outside in wet or dirty areas. To prevent the
bandage from becoming wet when you take your pet outside, cover the
bandage with a plastic bag, exam glove, or a plastic bandage
sleeve. Be sure to remove the plastic from the bandage after trips
outside. This prevents moisture from becoming trapped in the
bandage and along the wound.
When should I bring my pet back to Texas A&M for a re-check
exam?
Most orthopedic surgery patients are re-checked 4-6 weeks after
surgery, however, individual re-check dates vary with each patient.
At the time of discharge, you will be provided with a complete
summary of your pet's treatment and requested re-check date. In
certain cases, re-check exams and radiographs (x-rays) may be
performed at your regular veterinarian. If major orthopedic
procedures are performed, we prefer to re-examine your pet at Texas
A&M.
Re-check appointments can be scheduled with the Orthopedic
Surgery Service by contacting the Veterinary Medical Teaching
Hospital Monday through Friday at 979-845-2351. Be sure to call and
schedule this appointment 3-4 weeks in advance, as appointments
sometimes fill up quickly.