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Our Process

Our Process

Our assessment will begin when we arrive to evaluate your pet’s gait and coordination at our greeting.
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Our Process

Our Process

Our veterinarians will ask you about your observations as well as what we observed during the home visit.
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Our Process

Our Process

As part of a comprehensive physical exam, we will evaluate the range of motion of your pet’s joints and palpate their vertebrae to check for back pain.
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Orthopedic Consultation for Older Dogs and Cats

Older animals often experience a decline in orthopedic health, so it is important to create a treatment plan that addresses your pet’s mobility and quality of life. Based on our examination, our veterinarians will make appropriate recommendations, including pain management. If you have concerns about your pet’s quality of life, we can also provide Quality-of-Life Consultation, guidance, and end-of-life care. We may also recommend further testing or refer you to a board-certified veterinary orthopedic specialist or surgeon (for an additional cost).

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Does My Dog Need an Orthopedic Evaluation?

Take our quiz to help you to decide whether your pet should be seen for an orthopedic consultation. If you have any questions or concerns or wish to connect with a veterinarian for your peace of mind, we’re here to help.
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Does My Dog Need an Orthopedic Evaluation?

What Our Clients Say

Review
Bruce Herzfelder
BetterVet Boston

Dr. Kiefer and Erin were a great team. Arrived exactly on time per notification - no time wasted in a waiting room. Rolo the dog had his vaccines and a thorough exam of his limp and other hip arthritis, leading to an x-ray and some great recommendations of medications and other therapies. Minot the cat had a biopsy on a lump - he’s a fighter and it wouldn’t have gone well at an animal hospital, but at home he was matter-of-fact about it. Great experience!

Rachel Farnsworth
BetterVet Vancouver
Much as our animals crush it in cuteness! These incredible vets plan to keep them that way and I love it! I invited their cool mobile vet to my place to see my doggie in his natural world. He’s a big active guy and I have been concerned with his hips as he is aging. It was so amazing for the vets to see him play and actively see my concerns. It wasn’t just my dog stressed at the vet and me trying to describe it in my non-vet vernacular. It was a REAL vet visit, like the ones we crazy dog lovers dream of! The vets throughly explained to me what was going on with his big cute fluffy body and how I can help him. The vets orders were easy to follow, I really understood them, got everything at my local store, and my guy is doing better already. We never ever want our animals under the weather, however it’s a huge load off my mind to know that I have these amazing vets to call thank you again! And see you after the next tumble
erin glospie
BetterVet South Jersey
Julia the vet was on time. She provided excellent exams for our 4yr old and 13yr old dogs. She was able to identify some arthritic areas and prescribed medicine and supplements. She gave vaccines and blood tests. You can tell how much she really cares. Great experience!
Debra Galindo
BetterVet Denver
This is my dog Buddy he has hip problems and he’s and old dog. Doc came in exam Buddy. Very nice both ladies if I need them again I’ll call BetterVet . Thank You Dr. A. Plettner and her assistant, I didn’t catch her name.
Zuzana Matvejova
BetterVet Chicago
I had to say goodbye to the best good girl there ever was, my 18 year old doggie Maya. I wanted to have it done in my house where she felt comfortable. By now she hasn't been able to walk in almost 8 months and had to wear diapers. In the past two to three weeks her cough was getting worse from the liquid gathering in her lungs. All she was able to do was kind of "flip" over from side to side. I was hoping against hope , that she would just fall asleep and not wake up one morning. She still enjoyed her food and would wag her tail from time to time ...she couldn't see too much and her hearing was almost gone. As hard as it was , the time has come to make the most heartbreaking decision i ever had to do. I was very lucky to stumble upon BetterVet. They were very professional but also very understanding and full of heart. Everything was explained to me beforehand and they even took time to pet Maya and tell her what a good girl she was. Everything went went smoothly and i was given time to be with Maya for the last time while they waited outside for my go ahead to carry her away. Thank you again so much for everything you did for me and Maya!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my pet is experiencing orthopedic pain?
Pet parents often expect their dog or cat to cry if they're in pain. However, pets experiencing orthopedic pain often hide their weakness and pain and may only exhibit mild lameness, hesitation to rise or lie down, difficulty navigating stairs, and/or increased reactivity around a particularly painful area.
What is an orthopedic exam for a dog?
An orthopedic exam for a dog is a physical exam performed by a veterinarian to evaluate the condition of the musculoskeletal system. Our in-home exams include a comprehensive assessment of your pet’s muscles, joints, ligaments, and bones. Your veterinarian will also assess your pet’s range of motion and check for any signs of discomfort or pain and recommend orthopedic surgery for dogs when necessary.
What is included in an orthopedic exam for a pet?
Evaluation of your pet’s orthopedic functioning will begin with a review of your pet’s history and a physical examination. A general orthopedic assessment will be performed, which includes specific tests that can be carried out during a home visit. These include a comprehensive evaluation of your pet’s muscles, joints, ligaments, and bones. We may recommend additional tests or a referral to a pet orthopedic specialist or surgeon.
What is the most common orthopedic injury in dogs?
One of the most common orthopedic issues in dogs is hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a condition where a dog’s hip joints do not develop normally, causing them to grind against one another. Over time, this leads to wear and tear of the hip joints, which causes discomfort, pain and can eventually affect your pet’s mobility.
What is the most common orthopedic injury in cats?
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common cat orthopedic issues. Osteoarthritis is often diagnosed based on our physical exam and your cat’s history. There are specific treatments we can recommend to manage your cat’s symptoms, such as pain medication and changes to your cat’s diet.
How do I know if my dog has a torn ligament or muscle?
Signs that your dog may have torn a ligament or muscle may include pain upon examination, lameness, limping, swelling, and bruising. If the tear is mild, there may not be any outward signs other than your dog appearing to be favoring its leg.
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