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What is a TPLO : A TPLO (tibial plateau levelling osteotomy) is a surgical technique used to treat cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) rupture in dogs. Dogs with a torn or injured CCL can’t walk normally and experience pain. The TPLO changes the angle of the top of the tibia (tibial plateau) by cutting bone, rotating it and stabilising it in a new position with a plate and screws. How is a TPLO performed? X-rays are taken before surgery and measurements are taken to determine the rotation needed to stabilise the knee joint. During surgery the knee joint is examined to remove damaged or torn ligament pieces and assess for possible meniscus tears. A curved saw blade is used to cut the tibia. The cut portion is then rotated to reach the desired tibial plateau angle. A stainless steel bone plate is then used to align and hold in place the two pieces of bone. Does my dog really need the surgery? For most dogs, surgery is the only way to return the leg to good function. Only 15% of dogs will recover to a moderate amount of function of the leg without surgery and most of these dogs will be small breed dogs, under 6-10 kg. Why is a TPLO expensive A TPLO requires specialised equipment including a motorised saw with a specifically designed blade, stainless steel plate and 6-9 bone screws, many x-rays and a significant amount of training on the part of the surgeon. The process takes about 2-4 hours of preparation, surgery and recovery time for each patient What are the possible complications? Minor complications include infection and inflammation of the patella tendon. Major complications include failure of the plate or screws and fracture of the tibia or fibula, but these are rare and uncommon What aftercare is required Dogs need to be confined post surgery with only limited and controlled exercise and movement for the first few weeks. Gradually movement and exercise can be increased until normal use of legs around 6-8 weeks post surgery. Follow-up vet visits and x-rays will be needed to to gauge the healing process. If you have a dog with a suspected CCL rupture - make sure to discuss this procedure with your vet. One of our friendly vets is always available to help and guide you where needed. 011 795 2034 https://www.honeydewanimalclinic.co.za/  2 Knoppiesdoring St, Randpark Ridge, Randburg, 2169 info@honeydewanimalclinic.co.za

An echocardiogram, also known as an echo or cardiac ultrasound, is a tool to look at the heart as well as inside and around it. An echo creates live images that allows your veterinarian to get an idea of what the heart looks like and how it is functioning in real time. This provides information about the size, shape, and function of the heart, its four chambers, the heart valves, and surrounding structures, such as the pericardial sac. What does the procedure entail? Echos are done with the pet lying on an ultrasound-specific table. The ultrasound probe is held against the skin overlying the heart to get an image on the screen. This is a painless procedure and often done in a quiet, dark room. Most pets are able to lie comfortably without stress and with minimal restraint. Why would my pet need this procedure? Your veterinarian will recommend an echocardiogram if it is suspected that your pet has a heart disease. This is when your pet has a heart murmur, abnormalities on chest x-rays and other clinical signs like coughing, sneezing, shortness of breath or fainting. The echo will show if your pet’s heart is working properly, and if not, what the problem is. Understanding the problem will help your veterinarian to tailor specific treatment for your pet’s condition as medications and treatments for heart disease are unique to each animal. Echocardiograms can also be used to see if treatments are helping or if a change in dosage or new medications are needed. At Honeydew Animal clinic we offer echocardiography with state of the art ultrasound equipment and up to date training and knowledge. Make sure to visit us if you suspect or know your pet has a heart condition so we can guide you on an individualised treatment plan for your pet.

What Are Brachycephalic Dogs? Brachycephalic literally means "short-headed," and refers to dogs and dog breeds with shortened snouts. While not all brachycephalic dogs have associated health problems, the shape of the nose and head of a brachycephalic dog can place them at risk for a condition called brachycephalic airway syndrome. Four distinct upper airway abnormalities can, cause this condition and a brachycephalic dog can have one or more of these abnormalities. They include: Stenotic nares Elongated soft palate Hypoplastic trachea Everted laryngeal saccules If you think your dog may suffer from one or more of these abnormalities, come see one of our veterinarians to work out a treatment plan for you. Dogs that suffer from this syndrome typically have a history of loud snoring and noisy breathing and are prone to reverse sneezing or tracheal collapse. The gums or tongue can sometimes turn blue from lack of oxygen, and overexertion or over-excitement can lead to collapse. Because of their breathing difficulties, these dogs tend to have a low tolerance for vigorous exercise and are highly susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Because these conditions and their symptoms are exacerbated by obesity, the first line of treatment for an overweight dog with this condition is usually to be put on a weight-loss meal plan. Mild cases can usually be managed by controlling the dog's weight, monitoring exercise levels, keeping the dog out of heat and humidity, and reducing or avoiding stress. More severe cases may require surgery to improve airflow. The term can also be applied to mixed-breed dogs that inherited this trait from brachycephalic ancestors.

Stenotic nares are smaller nostril openings than normal. The smaller breathing lumens make for an increased respiratory effort. Small changes in airway size create vast changes in air flow—especially in small patients with small airways. Over time, the increased work of breathing causes the secondary components of the syndrome—eversion of the laryngeal saccules and laryngeal collapse. The increased resistance to airway pressure creates more work for the patient to move air in and out of its lungs. This creates problems during exertion or when exposed to high temperatures when panting is needed to cool the body. These scenarios can create an obstructive airway crisis, hyperthermia, or both. As the disease progresses and secondary changes occur, a crisis can occur with minimal stress or exert ion. Chronic hypoxia creates pulmonary vasoconstriction and eventually pulmonary hypertension.Most airway resistance comes from the nasal passages. By surgically correcting the stenotic nares we greatly reduce the pressure of airflow. Stenotic nares are corrected with one of several resection techniques. At Honeydew Animal Clinic we use the wedge resection technique - this entails curing out a small wedge from each nostril and closing the defect with a few absorbable sutures. Your dog will be required to wear a buster collar for 10-14 days to prevent self-trauma to the surgical site. If you would like to know if your dog/cat will benefit from this procedure you are welcome to visit us for a consultation.

A dog with an elongated soft palate (the soft part of the roof of the mouth) has a soft palate that is too long for the length of the mouth. The excess length partially blocks the entrance to the trachea (windpipe) at the back of the throat. Clinical signs include respiratory signs (breathing difficulties, snoring, stridor, snorting) gagging, and sometimes the gagging will induce vomiting. An elongated soft palate is diagnosed on clinical signs, video scope, or looking down the throat when your dog is sedated or under a general anesthetic. Surgery is needed to shorten the soft palate. The soft palate is resected at a level where it will barely make contact with the epiglottis. Surgical scissors are used to resect the palate and absorbable sutures are placed into the remaining tissue. The first video shows how the soft palate flops back and forth over the epiglottis and the second video shows how the dog’s ability to inhale and exhale has greatly improved. These videos were taken using a video vetscope by Louis Gotthelf, DVM of Montgomery, AL If you would like to know if your dog/cat will benefit from this procedure you are welcome to visit us for a consultation.

Everted laryngeal saccules occur in dogs due to the pressure associated with the increased respiratory effort caused by the stenotic nares and/or the elongated soft palate, as discussed previously. Laryngeal saccules are small sacs or pouches that are located in the larynx just in front of the vocal cords. Brachycephalic dogs must work harder to fill their lungs with air, which causes these saccules to evert or be pulled into the airway and partially obstruct airflow. The treatment for this problem is to remove the saccule tissue. The surgery is usually done in combination with correcting stenotic nares and shortening an elongated soft palate. The earlier the abnormalities associated with brachycephalic syndrome are corrected, the better the outcome. The condition worsens over time and can cause other abnormalities. Dogs that undergo this procedure show great improvement in breathing, exercise tolerance and overall quality of life. If you would like to know if your dog/cat will benefit from this procedure you are welcome to visit us for a consultation.

Arthritis is a condition resulting in painful joints. It is extremely common in older pets, especially the larger breeds of dogs. Any joint can be affected by arthritis. The most commonly affected joints include the hips, knees, shoulders, elbows, and vertebral column (back). It is estimated that arthritis affects one in five adult dogs. Arthritis may be a result of an injury or may develop for unknown reasons. Frequently it is progressive (worsens with time). It may develop slowly or quickly. Often it begins with occasional sore days, often associated with weather changes or strenuous exercise. Clinical signs in most pets are often worse when they first get up and start to move. Overweight pets are most susceptible. Many clinical signs may be a result of arthritis and the related pain it causes. Signs may include lack of appetite, reluctance to walk, climb stairs, or play, limping, lagging behind on walks, difficulty in rising from a resting position, personality changes, or even crying aloud when the pain is severe. Animals don’t moan or whimper until the pain becomes very severe. Other diseases must be ruled out before a diagnosis of osteoarthritis can be made. Potential rule-outs include disc disease, ligament tears, bone infections, and nerve damage. X-rays are often necessary to obtain the correct diagnosis. There is no need to let your pet suffer the intense pain that can be attributed to arthritis. Strategies for the treatment of arthritis may be either proactive or reactive. Proactive involves therapy, which increases the body’s ability to cope with the problem. Reactive treatment includes such things as drugs designed to minimize pain. It is important to work closely with your veterinarian to minimize the side effects of these drugs. Periodic comprehensive physical examinations and laboratory screening are necessary to monitor the body’s response to any long-term medication. EXERCISE HELPS: Regular, moderate exercise is very important in keeping joints working properly. Over-exertion can make the condition worse. Swimming is a great exercise for arthritis pets. PREVENT OBESITY: The number one cause of malnutrition in pets is OBESITY. Overfeeding, either too much food or food too rich is the major culprit. Older pets may need no more than 50% of the calories of a young, growing pet.

How cute is this little nugget of a Toy Pom? Duke came in today for his grooming, vaccination, and deworming. It was also discovered that he has what we term bilateral luxating Patellas, this will be rectified with a Ridge stop procedure. Our vets were able to give his mom piece of mind in knowing that her baby will be just fine. Photo cred goes to our amazing Angie who captured Duke in his most teddy bear moment.

Most of you already know Dr. Jason Meyer. Dr. Jason was basically born and raised at the Honeydew Animal Clinic. From a young age, he knew that he wanted to follow in his dad’s footsteps and worked very hard to get where he is today. He is also a “chronic studier”, always trying to improve his knowledge and level of care. He is currently completing his postgraduate studies in small animal medicine through the International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS). In his limited free time he likes to escape to rivers and dams for fly fishing, cycle in the cradle, or spend time with his 8 fur babies at home.

This naughty little man managed to eat a large part of plastic fencing...A MONTH AGO!! And only started showing clinical signs this past weekend We did abdominal X-rays that didn't show much wrong, but on ultrasound, we could see a possible blockage - a gastric foreign body - in the stomach. An exploratory laparotomy revealed a stomach full of hard pieces of plastic that got entangled with a bunch of other material to form a large blockage in the stomach. Another piece of plastic was also removed from the small intestines. The little man is doing well and ready to eat anything he sees just 1 day post-surgery. Visit our Instagram link for the videos: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj3a2jLrv8D/?igshid=N2Y5NTAwYTk=

A tooth root abscess is a severe infection that develops around the root of a tooth. It usually occurs as a result of bacteria entering through a broken or traumatised tooth. Many dogs may not show obvious signs like the swelling seen below the eye in this patient, which is quite a severe case of a tooth root abscess. Owners may notice a reluctance to chew on toys, pulling their head away when touched, chewing on one side only, or dropping food when chewing, Some owners may also notice foul breath or the dog pawing at one side of the face or rubbing it on the ground. A tooth root abscess is a very painful condition and needs treatment as soon as possible. Usually, this will mean the extraction of the affected tooth under general anaesthesia. It is important to have a dental assessment for your pet at least every 6 months to prevent teeth from getting to this stage. We offer free dental assessments at our clinic so pop in for a visit See images and videos of the affected teeth and the amount of pus drained from the area after the affected tooth was extracted by following our Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/p/CkYzSmUD87w/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

We are seeing a rapid rise in babesia - tick bite fever - cases presenting to our clinic during the past few weeks. Tick fever is a potentially fatal and unpredictable tick-borne disease. The parasite infects the red blood cells of dogs which causes the destruction of these cells and therefore anaemia. Owners may notice any of the following symptoms: weakness, lethargy, decreased appetite, pale mucous membrane, yellow mucous membranes, and discoloured/dark urine. The disease is diagnosed when your vet makes a blood smear from your dog's ear. The babesia parasites can be seen in the red blood cells. The prognosis for a dog diagnosed with babesiosis is guarded, depending on the body systems that are affected at the time of diagnosis. Some dogs may appear okay but can deteriorate rapidly and even die from the disease due to the number of body systems affected. The treatment includes a drug that kills the parasites, intravenous fluids, supportive care and in a lot of cases a blood transfusion depending on the severity of anaemia. The good news is that tick fever is almost 100% preventable by making sure your dog’s tick and flea control is up to date. There are many products on the market but your vet can advise you best on which product will work for your pet. A special thank you to Zeus and his owners who allowed us to use his blood to save some lives🙌