If your dog is suddenly limping, your cat has stopped jumping up to their favourite perch, or you’ve noticed stiffness, pain, or a change in how they move, it could be a sign of an underlying orthopaedic issue. Orthopaedic issues can be anything from broken bones to osteoarthritis and lots in between. Your pet may already have a diagnosis of an orthopaedic problem, or maybe you have started to notice some subtle changes and you’re looking for answers. Either way, we understand how concerning this can be.
At The Moores Orthopaedic Clinic, we specialise in orthopaedic care for cats and dogs. Whether your pet needs a diagnosis, advanced imaging, or surgery, you’re in expert hands from the moment you walk through the door.
Why choose The Moores Orthopaedic Clinic?
The Moores Orthopaedic Clinic, like most vets, is full of caring professionals who want to help your pet in any way that we can. With our team of experts, you can be confident that your pet is in the best place possible to deal with any orthopaedic issues they may have. Our two surgeons, Andy and Chris, are both recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as Specialists in Orthopaedics. This is the highest level of veterinary surgical qualification in the UK. They are also recognised by the EBVS as European Specialists in Small Animal Surgery. Andy and Chris have decades of specialist orthopaedic experience between them and are widely respected in the veterinary world.
Orthopaedic problems in pets can be complex, which is why it’s important to see someone who is a specialist in the field and can provide tailored care to your pet. Unlike general practices or multi-disciplinary referral centres, The Moores Orthopaedic Clinic is entirely dedicated to orthopaedics, and we can assure you that your pet will only ever be treated by a Specialist surgeon – no interns or residents at earlier stages in their careers. Along with our Specialist surgeons we have a dedicated team of nurses with a passion for orthopaedic care.
What is a Specialist surgeon?
Being a Specialist means that your vet has completed at least three extra years of focused surgical training, worked under the supervision of another Specialist, and passed a diploma-level examination. So, when your pet comes to the Moores Orthopaedic Clinic, they’ll be seen by someone with in-depth experience in diagnosing and treating bone, joint, and mobility conditions and who has dedicated their entire career to the field. Many veterinary orthopaedic surgeons are not specialists and have not undergone surgical training, or been examined, to the same high level so do choose your surgeon carefully.
Your First Visit
We know that coming to a new clinic can be daunting for both you and your pet. That’s why our friendly reception and nursing teams work hard to make your visit as easy and welcoming as possible. The clinic is calm, pet-focused and designed to help both you and your pet feel at ease. We’re proud to be a Silver Level Cat Friendly Clinic, which means we’ve created a feline-friendly environment throughout the practice.
The Initial Consultation
One of our orthopaedic vets will begin by taking a detailed history. We’ll ask lots of questions about your pet’s symptoms, lifestyle, and any changes you’ve noticed in their movement or behaviour. You’ll have plenty of time to talk and ask any questions you may have, there is no such thing as a silly question!
We will want to assess your pet’s movement. This involves watching your pet walk and trot so we can observe their gait, posture, and how they bear weight. We observe your pet form the front, back and sides, checking for symmetry in movement or any abnormal gait. We observe how their head moves in relation to their body, and compare all limbs for equal range of motion. All of this information helps to build a picture of what is going on with your dog or cat.
Next comes the hands-on examination. This involves gently examining their joints, bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments, checking for signs of pain, stiffness, muscle wasteage or swelling. Everything from their toes to their hips, spine shoulder and neck will be assessed with care and one of our experienced nurses will be on hand to help if necessary.
Advanced Imaging for a Clear Diagnosis
To accurately diagnose many orthopaedic conditions, we often need to use imaging. Depending on what the vet finds during the examination, we might recommend an x-ray or CT scan. These help us see what’s happening with the joints, bones, or soft tissue.
The surgeon will explain exactly what imaging is needed and why. We’ll walk you through each step, so you know what to expect and can make informed decisions about your pet’s care.
What if my pet is admitted on the day?
In some cases, your pet may be admitted for surgery on the same day. If that happens, you can be assured that they will be cared expertly by our team of vets and vet nurses. You will have received information prior to attending your appointment regarding feeding and any ongoing medications your pet may be on. It’s important that these instructions are followed to allow us to safely proceed. You’ll be asked to sign some consent forms, and your pet will be weighed and gently settled into their own kennel. Dogs and cats are housed in separate areas to keep things calm and comfortable.
Throughout their stay, our team will keep you updated and informed. We know how much your pet means to you, and we’ll treat them like one of our own!
Discussing Results and Next Steps
In some cases, results from imaging are available right away; in others, it may take a little longer. As soon as we have a clear picture, we’ll discuss the findings with you. Our team will explain what’s going on in an easy-to-understand way while also going through different options for treatment.
If your pet needs surgery, we’ll make sure you understand everything before moving forward: what the procedure involves, any potential risks, expected outcomes, and what aftercare will look like. We’ll also provide clear instructions for how to prepare your pet beforehand, such as fasting or arranging a quiet recovery area at home.
What do I need to know about surgery?
As with all medical procedures, the are some risks involved with surgery, however we do everything possible to minimise those risks, such as:
• Our expert team can perform surgery to highest level and reduce post-surgical complications.
• Experience of the team means that your pet is under general anaesthetic for the shortest time possible, minimising anaesthetic risks.
• Our state-of-the-art facilities shave been built with excellence in mind – we have the highest grade HEPA air filtration system in the theatres to reduce airborne pathogens, to minimise risk of infection. Our wards all have glass-fronted kennels and cages so your pet will not be behind bars! Furthermore, because we only ever have a small number of in-patients our wards are a calm environment for your pet to recover in after surgery, without the hustle and bustle of a busy vet clinic with lots of in-patients.
• We are confident in our surgical expertise, but for added peace of mind we offer a 12-month guarantee on our most common surgical procedures.
Where does my GP vet fit-in?
We will work closely with your GP vet and make sure that they are always aware of your pet’s treatment. Before your appointment we will ask your GP vet to send us your pet’s medical records and any relevant x-rays. After we have seen you and your pet we will update your vet with our findings and thoughts. If your pet has surgery then your GP vet will be updated on the procedure and the post-surgery instructions.
We understand that facing an orthopaedic issue with your pet can be worrying and concerning. At The Moores Orthopaedic Clinic, our team is here to support you with specialist care, expertise and clear communication right through from beginning to end.
If you’re worried about your dog’s limp or your cat’s stiffness, book a consultation with one of our trusted orthopaedic vets and take the first step toward getting them the help they need.
Talk to your GP vet about a referral to us today or get in touch with us and we’ll help you start the process.
