Treatments & services
What each condition is, what to look out for, and how we treat it. Where a case needs equipment or expertise we don’t have on site, we refer to dedicated specialist partners and stay involved in your pet’s care.
Bones, joints and mobility
From cruciate repair to fracture surgery, most orthopaedic cases are treated here in Thurles by our surgical team.
Forelimb
Shoulder, elbow and wrist.
Elbow dysplasia
Abnormal development of the elbow joint in growing dogs, most common in large breeds such as Labradors, Retrievers and Rottweilers. It leads to early arthritis if left untreated.
Signs: Forelimb lameness starting around 5–12 months, stiffness after rest, reluctance to exercise.
Treatment: Pain relief, weight control and exercise management. Surgery to remove loose fragments or reshape the joint in selected cases.
Ununited anconeal process (UAP)
A small piece of bone at the back of the elbow fails to fuse during growth and moves within the joint. Seen most often in German Shepherds.
Signs: Lameness and swelling of the elbow in a young dog.
Treatment: Surgery to remove or reattach the fragment, followed by controlled exercise.
Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD)
A flap of cartilage separates from the joint surface in young, fast-growing dogs. It can affect the shoulder, elbow or hock.
Signs: Lameness in a young dog, joint pain, sometimes in both legs.
Treatment: Surgical removal of the cartilage flap, then rest and rehabilitation. Early treatment gives the best outcome.
Shoulder instability
Damage to the ligaments and tendons that hold the shoulder in place, often in active or working dogs.
Signs: Persistent forelimb lameness that worsens after exercise.
Treatment: Rest, physiotherapy and joint support in mild cases; surgical stabilisation when conservative care fails.
Carpal hyperextension
Collapse of the wrist after damage to its supporting ligaments, usually from a jump or fall.
Signs: The wrist sinks towards the ground; lameness and swelling.
Treatment: Fusion of the wrist joint (arthrodesis) with a plate, which gives a stable, pain-free limb.
Hind limb
Hip, knee and hock.
Cruciate ligament disease
Tearing of the cranial cruciate ligament in the knee: the most common cause of hind-limb lameness in dogs.
Signs: Sudden or gradual lameness, a swollen knee, sitting with the leg held out to the side.
Treatment: Surgical stabilisation of the knee. TTA (tibial tuberosity advancement) for medium and large dogs; lateral suture for smaller dogs.
Patellar luxation
The kneecap slips out of its groove. Common in small breeds, and can also occur in larger dogs and cats.
Signs: Skipping for a few steps with the leg held up, then walking normally.
Treatment: Mild cases are monitored. Surgery deepens the groove and realigns the kneecap in dogs with lameness or higher grades.
Hip dysplasia
Abnormal development of the hip joint, leaving it loose and prone to early arthritis.
Signs: Bunny-hopping, difficulty getting up, reluctance on stairs, reduced muscle over the hips.
Treatment: Weight management, pain relief and physiotherapy. Surgical options include femoral head ostectomy (FHO) and total hip replacement.
Fractures
Broken bones following road traffic accidents, falls or other trauma.
Signs: Sudden, severe lameness, swelling, pain, abnormal limb position.
Treatment: Stabilisation with plates, screws, pins or external fixators, chosen for the fracture and the patient.
Joint replacement
For joints too damaged for other treatment.
Total joint replacement
Replacement of a badly arthritic hip, knee, elbow or shoulder with an artificial joint.
Signs: Severe, ongoing lameness and pain that no longer respond to medical management.
Treatment: Carried out through our specialist referral partners. We assess your pet, discuss options and manage aftercare locally.
Spine
Neck and lower back.
Wobbler syndrome (cervical spondylomyelopathy)
Compression of the spinal cord in the neck, most common in large and giant breeds such as Dobermanns and Great Danes.
Signs: A wobbly, uncoordinated gait (worse in the back legs), neck pain, scuffing of the toes.
Treatment: Medical management in milder cases; surgical decompression or stabilisation for more severe cases.
Lumbosacral disease
Narrowing at the base of the spine that compresses the nerves running to the back legs and tail.
Signs: Pain getting up, reluctance to jump, lowered tail carriage, hind-limb weakness.
Treatment: Rest, pain relief and physiotherapy; surgical decompression where signs persist.
Bone cancer & limb sparing
Options beyond amputation, where appropriate.
Osteosarcoma
An aggressive bone cancer, most common in the limbs of large and giant breed dogs.
Signs: Lameness that doesn't settle, a firm swelling on the limb, sudden fracture.
Treatment: Pain control, amputation and chemotherapy. Limb-sparing surgery may be possible in selected cases.
Limb sparing & prosthetics
Specialist procedures that remove diseased bone while keeping the limb, using custom implants or prostheses.
Signs: Usually considered after a diagnosis of bone cancer or severe trauma.
Treatment: Carried out through our specialist referral partners, with assessment and aftercare here.
Growth deformities
Problems with how bones grow in young dogs.
Angular limb deformity
Uneven bone growth that leaves a limb bowed, twisted or shortened, often after an injury to a growth plate.
Signs: A visibly bent leg, turned-out foot, lameness.
Treatment: Corrective surgery (osteotomy) to straighten the bone, planned from X-rays.
Arthritis & joint care
Long-term comfort for older and arthritic pets.
Arthritis
Painful joint degeneration, common in older dogs and cats and after joint disease or injury.
Signs: Stiffness after rest, slowing down on walks, reluctance to jump, changes in temperament.
Treatment: A plan combining weight control, exercise, pain relief (including monthly Librela injections) and physiotherapy.
Stem cell & PRP therapy
Injections of the patient's own cells or platelet-rich plasma into arthritic joints to reduce inflammation.
Signs: For dogs with arthritis that responds poorly to standard treatment.
Treatment: Used alongside conventional arthritis management.
Neurology, dentistry and more
Specialised care across the areas that most often affect dogs and cats.
Neurology
Brain, spinal cord and nerves.
Intervertebral disc disease (slipped disc)
A disc between the vertebrae bulges or ruptures and presses on the spinal cord. Common in Dachshunds, French Bulldogs and other short-legged breeds.
Signs: Back or neck pain, a hunched posture, wobbliness, weakness or paralysis. Sudden paralysis is an emergency.
Treatment: Strict rest and medication in mild cases; urgent surgical decompression when the spinal cord is severely affected.
Vestibular disease
A disturbance of the balance system, most often in older dogs, that comes on suddenly.
Signs: Head tilt, falling or circling, flickering eyes, nausea.
Treatment: Supportive care and nursing. Most dogs improve significantly within days to weeks.
Seizures & epilepsy
Fits caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain, either inherited (idiopathic epilepsy) or due to an underlying cause.
Signs: Collapse, paddling, twitching, loss of consciousness, confusion afterwards.
Treatment: Blood tests and investigation to find a cause, then long-term medication with regular monitoring.
Dentistry & oral surgery
Healthy mouths, comfortable pets.
Dental disease
Build-up of plaque and tartar leading to gum disease and tooth loss, affecting most adult dogs and cats.
Signs: Bad breath, red gums, dropping food, chewing on one side.
Treatment: Scale and polish under general anaesthetic, with extraction of diseased teeth and a home-care plan.
Oral tumours
Growths in the mouth, which may be benign or malignant.
Signs: A lump in the mouth, bleeding, drooling, loose teeth, difficulty eating.
Treatment: Biopsy and histology to confirm the type, then surgical removal and further treatment where needed.
Jaw fractures & oral trauma
Injuries to the jaw or mouth from accidents, fights or chewing hard objects.
Signs: Pain, bleeding, inability to close the mouth, reluctance to eat.
Treatment: Stabilisation of the jaw and repair of soft tissue injuries.
Anaesthesia, imaging & recovery
The support behind every procedure.
Anaesthesia & pain relief
Anaesthetic and pain-relief protocols tailored to each patient's age, breed and health.
Signs: Every patient is assessed before anaesthesia; older pets may need pre-anaesthetic blood tests.
Treatment: Continuous monitoring throughout surgery and multimodal pain relief during recovery.
Diagnostic imaging
X-ray and ultrasound on site to diagnose problems quickly. Advanced imaging (CT and MRI) through our referral partners.
Signs: Used for lameness, abdominal problems, heart disease, suspected fractures and more.
Treatment: We talk you through the images and what they mean for your pet.
Rehabilitation
Structured recovery after surgery or injury to restore strength and mobility.
Signs: Recommended after orthopaedic or spinal surgery, and for arthritic pets.
Treatment: Controlled exercise plans, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy.
Worried about your pet?
Call us to book a consultation. We’ll examine your pet, explain the options and agree a plan with you.