Highline Veterinary Orthopedics

30/08/2025

Classic ‘greyhound’ style injury of a comminuted calcaneal fracture combined with luxation of central tarsal bone and proximal intertarsal joint luxation. Was a tricky reconstruction, with the calcaneous in three fragments, first held in place with bone reduction forceps, cerclage tension band and a 2.4mm lag screw. A 2.7mm plate was then placed lateral for additional support. The central tarsal bone was lagged from medial aspect using 3.5 cortical screw + washer. Expert assistance from in the OR.

27/08/2025

Jennica, our awesome summer vet student intern, is headed back for her 3rd year of vet school at the U of MN! She has spent the last two summers working with us, and we are so grateful for her help. She promises to come visit on breaks 🤞

12/08/2025

MVCT was in Mankato last week working with Highline Veterinary Orthopedics and Minnesota Valley Pet Hospital PA. We are proud to make CT accessible to greater Minnesota!

02/08/2025

MVCT was at Cannon Valley Vet Clinic & Retail Store this week. An adorable little Pomeranian had a CT scan in preparation for orthopedic surgery with Highline Veterinary Orthopedics. Good luck little pup! You’re in great hands!

20/07/2025

Transposition flaps and axillary fold flaps are valuable reconstructive surgical techniques for closure of medium to large wounds on limbs, such as occurs after mass/tumor/neoplasia removal in dogs and cats.

This local pedicle flap harnesses the redundant skin and subcutaneous tissue within the axillary fold to achieve tension-free closure following wide surgical excisions. Its robust vascular supply and favorable anatomical location contribute to optimal wound healing, minimized dehiscence risk and maintenance of limb function and comfort. Generally, healing occurs within 2-3 weeks. Occasionally, some skin flap stress can occur leading to increased swelling, bruising or occasionally incision dehiscence.

In this case, a sarcoma was removed with wide margins and did not facilitate primary closure (direct suturing). Loose skin from above the elbow was mobilized and rotated downwards to fill the defect, with the donor site then closed routinely.

09/06/2025

Rescue dogs can have some unique hidden stories. This dog was rescued a couple years ago with an unknown past. After some hindlimb lameness developed, he was examined by his primary veterinarian and radiographs identified a metallic bullet in the distal femur with suspect osteomyelitis surrounding the foreign body.

We explored the femur through a routine stifle approach and burred/debrided bone overlying the bullet, creating a window proximal to the trochlear ridges. The bullet was removed, medullary canal cultured and area treated for presumed infection. Based on culture results, we will follow up with suitable long term antimicrobials and trend progress with follow up exam/imaging.

10/05/2025

"Musculoskeletal adverse events in dogs receiving bedinvetmab (Librela)" Farrell et al., Front. Vet. Sci., 08 May 2025

Objectives: To conduct a specialist-led disproportionality analysis of musculoskeletal adverse event reports (MSAERs) in dogs treated with bedinvetmab (Librela™) compared to six comparator drugs with the same indication. Furthermore, to report the findings from a subset of dogs whose adverse event (AE) data underwent independent adjudication by an expert panel.

Methods: An EBVS® Veterinary Specialist in Surgery individually reviewed all MSAERs to Librela™, Rimadyl®, Metacam®, Previcox®, Onsior®, Galliprant®, and Daxocox® (2004–2024). The primary null hypothesis was that Librela’s MSAER rate would not exceed that of comparator drugs by more than 50%. The secondary hypothesis was that MSAER would surge and taper following the launch of new drugs.

Results: The disproportionality analysis did not support the hypotheses. Ligament/tendon injury, polyarthritis, fracture, musculoskeletal neoplasia, and septic arthritis were reported ~9-times more frequently in Librela-treated dogs than the combined total of dogs treated with the comparator drugs. A review of 19 suspected musculoskeletal adverse events (MSAEs) by an 18-member expert panel unanimously concluded a strong suspicion of a causal association between bedinvetmab and accelerated joint destruction.

Conclusion: This study supports recent FDA analyses by demonstrating an increased reporting rate of musculoskeletal adverse events in dogs treated with Librela. Further investigation and close clinical monitoring of treated dogs are warranted.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1581490/full?fbclid=IwY2xjawKMGuVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFxSjV2UHVHY2FXWHZ5TjFGAR5dfEqULtG0IZr65I_DE0U9OEUgVr4h84crt9_nF8I16qKqBnyTdnabbFPD-w_aem_6acDgLiZHgYUOaR2NizRQA

ObjectivesTo conduct a specialist-led disproportionality analysis of musculoskeletal adverse event reports (MSAERs) in dogs treated with bedinvetmab (Librela...

04/03/2025

Sometimes we have the opportunity to help with cool cases using cutting edge technology and the expertise of some exceptional colleagues.

This small dog had a marked angular limb deformity of the radius and ulna bones on a front leg, leading to marked increase in valgus and torsional change. After obtaining a computed tomography/CT, we collaborated with and Dr. Petrovsky to both model the correction, and use 3D printing to assist in surgery.

Pre-surgery, we were able to study the current and post-correction bone models, pre-contour our bone plate (2.4mm bridging locking compression via ) and map out the accurate position for a custom made cutting guide. This guide facilitates creating a perfect cut, wedge ostectomy. Following reduction, a second reduction guide was placed over the K-wires to hold the bone exactly in place while plating.

The end result is a perfectly corrected radius with excellent limb alignment, that heals over the next 8-12 weeks.

🦴

27/12/2024

Awesome job team St. James Veterinary!

It has been quite the day after Christmas for us!
This resilient doe came to us with dystocia (difficult birth) this morning. Everyone rallied around her with one goal in mind - mom and baby walk out of here happy and healthy!
Macy, Cheyenne, Bri, and Dr. Ellis worked tirelessly to try and deliver the kid, while keeping mom safe. After trying then finding the doe to have a ruptured uterus, it was decided a cesarean section (c-section) needed to be performed. Nicole and Dr. Katzer jumped in to help sedate the doe and prepare her for surgery.
Dr. Ellis and Dr. Katzer performed the c-section, Nicole and Macy were standing by for the arrival of the kid. Surgery went well, kid came out kicking and using his voice! Both doe and kid were alert and ready to get moving so they went home. We hope they are both doing well at home with each other!💙

17/12/2024

FYI for veterinarians and pet owners: The FDA has updated the warning label for potential adverse events following "Librela" administration in dogs to include: ataxia, seizures, other neurologic signs, including but not limited to, paresis, recumbency, urinary incontinence; polyuria, and polydipsia.

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/product-safety-information/dear-veterinarian-letter-notifying-veterinarians-about-adverse-events-reported-dogs-treated-librela?fbclid=IwY2xjawHO4WpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHaP3Q2LnzomSYlZzWjOlIsGgT7YVayl4hFjcvje5Vrkh1PUQDmqOt0g-sg_aem_ixc65DP-A5ekGbbKFV8bUA

The FDA has identified and analyzed adverse events in dogs treated with Librela (bedinvetmab injection).

23/11/2024

Another week done, helping our regularly scheduled cases and squeezing in emergency fracture repairs. This week we fixed a spiral/butterfly femur fracture using plate-rod technique in a golden retriever, and fixed a classic lateral condylar fracture with a 2.7mm cortical screw + washer in a young Frenchie.

HIGHLINE Veterinary Orthopedics / www.highlinevets.com

16/11/2024