Great Lakes Veterinary Surgical Center

01/08/2025

🏥 January is Walk Your Dog Month, and it's the perfect time to talk about the importance of mobility for your furry friend! 🐾

At GLVSC, we know how crucial it is for dogs—especially those with orthopedic issues—to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. Regular walks can help improve joint flexibility, prevent stiffness, and keep muscles strong. But for dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia, or previous injuries, it's important to strike the right balance.

Here are a few tips for walking dogs with orthopedic needs:

1️⃣ Start Slow: If your dog has joint pain or recent surgery, begin with short, gentle walks and gradually increase the duration as their strength improves.

2️⃣ Pace Yourself: Pay attention to your dog’s energy levels. If they seem to tire quickly or start limping, take a break and let them rest.

3️⃣ Use Supportive Gear: Consider using a harness designed to reduce strain on your dog's neck and back. If your dog needs extra help, a supportive dog sling can make walks easier.

4️⃣ Avoid Rough Terrain: Steer clear of uneven paths and stairs, which can strain injured joints and cause further damage.

5️⃣ Consult Your Vet: If you're unsure about your dog's walking routine or have concerns about their mobility, we're here to help! Our orthopedic experts can create a customized plan to ensure your dog stays comfortable and active.

Remember, a happy and healthy dog is one that moves well! Keep your pup’s joints in mind and enjoy those daily walks to promote long-term mobility and comfort. 🦴✨

12/23/2024

Happy holidays from Great Lakes Veterinary Surgical Center!

We hope you have a safe and joyful holiday.❄️🎉

12/02/2024

❄️ Winter Safety Alert for Pet Owners! ❄️

As the temperatures drop and ice begins to form, we want to remind all pet parents to be extra cautious when taking your pets outside. 🐾

💥 Slippery surfaces can be just as dangerous for your pets as they are for us! Dogs can easily slip and injure themselves on icy sidewalks, driveways, and roads.

🔑 Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe:

Avoid icy paths: Stick to cleared, dry areas when walking your pet.
Use protective gear: Consider dog boots to provide traction and protect their paws from the cold.
Watch for signs of injury: If your pet seems hesitant to walk, limping, or favoring a leg, it’s important to seek veterinary attention.
Limit outdoor time: On particularly icy days, keep walks short and sweet to minimize the risk of slipping.
🐕 Let’s keep our furry friends safe and warm this winter! If your pet becomes injured and is in need of an orthopedic exam or surgery, please call our office
📞 616-364-3333

11/28/2024

🍁🐾 Happy Thanksgiving from Great Lakes Veterinary Surgical Center! 🐾🍁

This year, we’re especially grateful for the opportunity to help your pets live pain-free, active lives! 🙏 Whether it's a tricky joint, a limp that won't go away, or a recovery after surgery, we’re honored to be part of your pet's healing journey.

As we gather with loved ones this Thanksgiving, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to all our clients for trusting us with the care of your pets' orthopedic needs. 🐶🐱 Your loyalty, support, and love for your furry family members inspire us every day.

We also want to give a huge shoutout to our incredible team—thank you for your dedication, expertise, and compassion that make all the difference in our patients' lives. 💙

Wishing you and your pets a joyful, healthy, and restful holiday filled with plenty of love (and maybe some extra treats)! 🦴🐾

📣(And just a reminder we are closed today and will resume normal business hours tomorrow!) 📣

11/20/2024

We may focus on bones, but your pet's health is still important to us! ❤️
With Thanksgiving🍗 approaching, here is some helpful information to make sure your furry friends stay safe, happy and healthy.

11/11/2024

At Great Lakes Veterinary Surgical Center your Pet's Health, Our Expertise. 🐾💙

Here, we understand that your pet is a beloved member of the family. When it comes to surgery, you want the best care, experience, and compassion for your furry friend. Here’s why you should choose us for your pet’s surgical needs:

🔹Surgeons with Advanced Training
Our veterinary surgeons have years of experience and extensive training in the latest surgical techniques. Whether it's a common orthopedic procedure or a complex one, your pet is in safe, skilled hands.

🔹 Well Equipped Facilities
We use reliable equipment and technology to ensure the highest standard of care. From pre-surgical diagnostics to post-operative recovery, our facilities are designed for your pet’s safety and comfort.

🔹 Personalized Care and Compassion
We treat every pet as if they were our own, offering personalized care tailored to their unique needs. From the first consultation to recovery, we’re here to support both you and your pet every step of the way.

🔹 Pain Management
Your pet’s comfort is our top priority. We create a plan to manage your pet's discomfort to ensure they are pain-free before, during, and after surgery. Our team is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care for a smooth recovery.

🔹 Transparency and Communication
We believe in keeping you fully informed. You’ll never feel left in the dark about your pet’s surgery. We provide clear explanations, answer all your questions, and make sure you’re confident in the care your pet is receiving.

🔹 Post-Surgical Support
Our care doesn’t end when the surgery is over. We provide detailed aftercare instructions and offer ongoing support throughout your pet’s recovery process. If you ever have concerns, we’re just a call away!

Choose us at Great Lakes Veterinary Surgical Center for peace of mind knowing that your pet will receive the very best veterinary surgical care. Schedule your orthopedic consultation with us and see why so many pet owners trust us with their pets' health! 🐾💕

📞 Call us at (616) 364-3333 or visit our website at https://www.greatlakesvet.net/ for more information.

Great Lakes Veterinary Surgical Center focuses on orthopedics and other complex procedures for cats and dogs in the Rockford / Belmont, MI area.

11/06/2024

🐾 Understanding Luxating Patellas in Dogs: What You Need to Know 🐾

At our surgical center, we often correct a condition called luxating patella—a common issue that can affect your furry friend's ability to move comfortably. But what exactly is it, and how can surgery help?

A luxating patella is when the kneecap (patella) moves out of its normal position, usually shifting toward the inside of the leg (medial luxation) or occasionally toward the outside (lateral luxation). This can cause pain, lameness, and difficulty walking or running.

Signs Your Dog Might Have a Luxating Patella:
- Limping or lameness: especially after exercise or activity
- Skipping or "hopping": your dog may suddenly lift one leg while walking or running
- Reluctance to jump or climb stairs: due to pain or discomfort
- Visible kneecap displacement: in some cases, the patella can visibly shift out of place

What Causes Luxating Patellas?
This condition can be genetic🧬, often seen in small and toy breeds like Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, and Yorkshire Terriers. It can also occur as a result of trauma or abnormal development of the bones in the knee joint.

How is it Diagnosed?
If you notice any of the symptoms mentioned, it’s important to have your pet evaluated by a veterinarian. They'll perform a physical exam and may use X-rays🩻 to assess the severity of the luxation and determine the best course of treatment.

🩹💊Treatment:
Treatment for luxating patellas can vary depending on the severity of the condition.

At GLVSC, we provide surgical correction to realign the patella and stabilize the knee joint. The goal of surgery is to reduce pain, prevent further damage, and improve your pet's mobility.

10/14/2024

Happy Veterinary Technician week!
Our girls at Great Lakes Veterinary Surgical Center are truly rockstars.
We couldn't do what we do without them. Thanks for being superhero's ladies!🦸‍♀️

09/13/2024

Fix it Friday! 🦴🔧🔩

This sweet dog was a referral from a local veterinarian. After a fall, the pet became acutely non-weight-bearing lame on the right front limb. Referring radiographs demonstrated a long oblique fracture of the lateral humeral condyle (including the lateral condylar crest) with complete displacement. Upon presentation, we noted the lameness and swollen right elbow.
Dr. Rinzler was able to fix this pup and make him good as new!😄

09/09/2024

Our phones are currently out of service but we are working hard to get them back up and running.
We apologize for the inconvenience!

09/06/2024

Fix it Friday!🦴🔧🔩

Indy is a 5yr old bowling ball of extra skin, excitement and fluff (AKA a lab). After coming off the front porch, he yelped and began limping. His owner brought him in to be examined by our doctors and found he had torn his CCL.
Indy is in recovery with his new bionic leg and has to take it easy for the next 8 weeks but will be back to being a normal wild lab in no time! 🐾

09/02/2024

We hope everyone has a safe and relaxing Labor Day!

We are closed today and will resume normal hours tomorrow (Tuesday, Sept 3rd).

08/30/2024

Fix it Friday! 🦴🔧🔩
This Friday we are sharing a dog that came in for a TPLO procedure. However, after taking radiographs the surgeon noted that the tibial plateau or joint angle wasn't ideal for a 'routine' TPLO and would require we perform a Cranial Closing Wedge Osteotomy (CCWO). This is when a wedge is taken out of the front of the shin and a plate and screws are inserted, changing the tibial plateau or joint angle and resulting in stability of the knee joint once more!

This is a great example as to why we need to perform radiographs in our surgical center prior to surgery. Many of our surgeries require very precise measurements to ensure the proper cuts and corrections are made. 🦴

08/28/2024

We currently are without phones or internet.
We apologize for any inconvenience and are working hard to get these back up and running.

08/23/2024

'Fix it' Friday!🦴🔧🔩
We will be taking a few Fridays every month to show complex, interesting and/or educational "fixed" cases.
Today, we are sharing a pet that was hit by a car and was lame on a rear leg. Upon further evaluation, we found that this pet had a fracture and would require surgical repair.

Dr. Smith went in and placed pins to help stabilize the fracture and allow the bone to heal. 🦴

07/24/2024

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