Peripatetic Vet West Midlands

06/13/2026

Patellar Luxation in Dogs: 3 Myths to Leave Behind

Myth 1: Patellar luxation is diagnosed under sedation.
No. Patellar luxation is a clinical diagnosis that should be made in the conscious patient. Sedation relaxes the muscles and can significantly alter patellar stability.

Myth 2: X-rays diagnose patellar luxation.
No. The diagnosis is made during the orthopaedic examination. Radiographs are used to assess bone morphology and limb alignment, helping guide surgical planning.

Myth 3: Physiotherapy alone will fix the problem. Physiotherapy can improve strength and function, but patellar luxation is fundamentally a mechanical disorder. Rehabilitation cannot correct the underlying anatomical abnormalities causing the luxation.

What does this image show? Cartilage erosion in a 1-year-old dog with Grade II patellar luxation. Even at a young age, recurrent patellar instability can cause significant cartilage damage. Left untreated, these lesions can progress over time and contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.

Patellar luxation is more than an occasional skipping gait—it is a condition that can lead to progressive joint degeneration.

05/18/2026

Benji, a 9-year-old Shih Tzu, was initially presented to his primary care vets for what seemed to be a routine dental procedure due to dental disease. However, preoperative blood work revealed significantly elevated liver enzymes, prompting further investigation.

Abdominal imaging identified a liver mass affecting a single liver lobe, giving Benji a potential surgical option. His owners were incredibly dedicated and elected to proceed with surgery to give him the best possible chance.

Benji subsequently underwent a liver lobectomy with us. As many surgeons know, successful surgical management of hepatic masses depends heavily on careful case selection. Ideally, the lesion should be confined to one — or at most two — liver lobes to allow for safe resection while preserving adequate functional hepatic tissue.

Preoperative planning is critical in these cases. Coagulation testing is essential before hepatic resection to ensure the patient retains adequate clotting function postoperatively. Equally important is access to the appropriate surgical equipment, including diathermy, abdominal retractors, and ideally surgical stapling devices to help achieve efficient vascular control and minimise haemorrhage risk.

Intraoperative bleeding remains one of the greatest challenges in hepatic surgery, with the literature reporting mortality rates of up to 5% associated with haemorrhage during these procedures. A strong understanding of hepatic anatomy and meticulous surgical technique are therefore absolutely essential.

Thankfully, Benji recovered beautifully following surgery. Within just a few days, his owners reported he was back to his normal cheeky self — brighter, more active, and eating even better than before surgery.

Cases like Benji’s are a great reminder of the importance of thorough pre-anaesthetic investigations and collaborative decision-making with committed owners.

We are delighted with his progress and wish Benji a long, happy, and uneventful future with his family. 🐾

05/16/2026

New service now available at Peripatetic Vet West Midlands: PRP + Hyaluronic Acid joint therapy for canine osteoarthritis

05/03/2026

Chronic ear disease in dogs can be incredibly frustrating—for both clinicians and owners—especially when medical management just isn’t enough.

In cases of end-stage ear disease, where infections are persistent and painful despite appropriate treatment, Total Ear Canal Ablation with Bulla Osteotomy (TECA-BO) can be a life-changing option.

Yes, it’s an invasive procedure, and it’s natural for owners to feel apprehensive—particularly about appearance and recovery. However, in the right cases, TECA-BO can dramatically improve a dog’s comfort and overall quality of life.

✨ What to expect:• Most dogs recover well within around 10 days• Once healed, they are typically pain-free and able to return to a normal, happy life• Cosmetic outcomes are often much better than owners anticipate once healing is complete• Importantly, many of these patients already have significantly reduced hearing pre-operatively due to chronic disease

Attached is a before-and-after example demonstrating both the clinical improvement and cosmetic outcome.

This procedure isn’t the first step—but when indicated, it can be one of the most rewarding decisions for long-term welfare.

04/16/2026

Recent cases through the lens

03/19/2026

Follow-up X-rays after a fracture repair are a vital part of the healing journey. They allow us to confirm that the bone is healing correctly, the alignment is maintained, and any implants are stable.
I’ll be sharing X-rays of a recent case—a dog who underwent fracture repair—to show just how important this step is in ensuring the best possible outcome. 🐾
When it comes to fracture repairs, monitoring progress is key!

03/13/2026

Straight bones, sharp minds 🦴🐾

02/16/2026

💙

Happy update on this handsome boy 💙
Alan the Frenchie recently had his BOAS surgery and we’re so pleased to say he’s doing great! He’s already breathing more comfortably and is back to his bright, cheeky self. Seeing patients like Alan feel better and enjoy life more easily is exactly why we do what we do 🐾
We’re wishing him lots of happy walks, comfy naps, and adventures ahead!

02/06/2026

❤️

11/22/2025