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Orthopedic Surgery

Our veterinary surgeon is board certified and specialized in performing several types of orthopedic surgeries, including but not limited to:

  • Calcaneal Tendon Repairs
  • Carpal or Tarsal Injuries
  • Fracture Repair – long bone
  • Hip Dysplasia Consultation/Surgery (FHO)*
  • Ligament/Tendon Injury
  • Mandibular Fracture Repair
  • Open or Closed Reductions of Luxated Joints
  • Patellar Luxation Correction
  • TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) *Also see ACL/Knee Surgery*

Soft Tissue Surgery

Soft tissue surgery is a broad range that includes the internal organs, the body wall, masses and tumors, and hernias. Our veterinary surgeon is board certified and specializes in performing many different types of soft tissue surgeries, including but not limited to:

Abdominal Surgery

  • Colopexy
  • Diaphragmatic Hernia
  • Gallbladder Surgery
  • Gastropexy – Prophylactic and Therapeutic
  • Internal organ biopsy
  • Intestinal Foreign Body Removal
  • Splenectomy

Soft Tissue

  • Amputations – limb, tail, toe
  • Anal Gland/Sac Removal
  • Bone Biopsy
  • Hernia Repairs (various)
  • Perineal Hernia Repair
  • Skin Grafting
  • Tumor Removal

Ear Surgery

  • TECABO
  • Ventral Bulla Osteotomy (VBO)

Eye Surgery

  • Cherry Eye Repair
  • Entropion
  • Enucleation

Head & Neck Surgery

  • Mandibulectomy
  • Maxillectomy
  • Parathyroidectomy
  • Salivary Mucocele
  • Thyroidectomy

Thoracic/ Airway Surgery

  • Brachycephalic Airway Surgery
  • Laryngeal Paralysis “tieback”

Urinary/ Reproductive

  • Cesarean section
  • Cryptorchidectomy
  • Cystopexy
  • Cystotomy
  • Episioplasty
  • Mastectomy
  • Perineal Urethrostomy
  • Pyometra/OVH
  • Scrotal Ablation
  • Spay/Castration + Gastropexy
  • Urethrostomy

ACL/Knee Surgery

Depending on the specific injury, breed, weight, and condition, Dr. Ruth will choose the best treatment plan for each individual pet. There are specific procedures that correct the destabilization of the knee.

Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)

  • Generally performed on medium to large breed dogs to stabilize the knee for a partial or complete cranial cruciate ligament tear
  • Dr. Ruth can perform the TPLO surgery in dogs from 20 pounds to 170 pounds
  • For the TPLO surgery we use exclusively Biomedtrix TPLO implants
Pre-operative Radiographs
Post-operative Radiographs

Lateral Suture (other names Modified Retinacular Imbrication Technique (MRIT) or "fishing line technique"

  • This is typically used in smaller breed dogs, such as a chihuahua or maltese, to stabilize the knee
  • Dr. Ruth only recommends this technique in dogs less than 25 – 20 pounds

**Please call or have your veterinarian call prior to scheduling if you would like to confirm we can perform your pet surgery at our facility**

**Surgical conditions that cannot be performed at Riversbend will be referred to Michigan State University Veterinary Medical Center or the Animal Surgical Center of Michigan**