Pet Orthopedic Surgery

Through our partnership with visiting mobile veterinary surgeon Caleb Vaughan, DVM, Foland Veterinary Services is able to bring specialized orthopedic surgery directly to our clinic—so your pet can receive the complex surgical care they need right in Weatherford, TX, at a clinic near you.

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Specialized Orthopedic Surgery, Right Here in Our Clinic

When a pet needs orthopedic surgery, many families assume that means an automatic referral to a distant specialty facility. At Foland Veterinary Services, we’ve worked to change that. Mobile veterinary surgeon Caleb Vaughan, DVM, is available by appointment to perform orthopedic procedures and more complex soft tissue surgeries right here in our hospital—in a familiar environment, with a team your pet already knows.

What Is Veterinary Orthopedic Surgery?

Unlike soft tissue procedures, which deal with tissue and organs, orthopedic surgery addresses conditions affecting your pet’s bones, joints, ligaments, and tendons. These structures form the foundation of your pet’s movement and mobility—and when they’re compromised by injury, disease, or developmental abnormality, the impact on your pet’s quality of life can be significant. Orthopedic conditions frequently cause chronic pain, progressive lameness, and reduced activity that affects not just how your pet moves, but how they feel day to day.

Many orthopedic conditions are highly treatable with the right surgical intervention. Early diagnosis and timely surgery can relieve pain, restore function, and prevent the kind of long-term joint damage that makes recovery more difficult over time. If your pet has been limping, reluctant to bear weight, or showing signs of joint pain, a thorough evaluation is the right first step.

Orthopedic Conditions We Treat

Our orthopedic surgery services address a range of conditions affecting dogs and cats, including:

Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) Rupture

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Cranial cruciate ligament rupture is one of the most common orthopedic injuries in dogs—and one of the most impactful. The CCL stabilizes the knee joint, and when it tears, it causes significant pain, instability, and progressive joint damage. Left untreated, CCL rupture almost always leads to debilitating arthritis.

TPLO Surgery

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Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO) is widely considered the gold standard surgical treatment for CCL rupture in dogs. This procedure stabilizes the knee joint by changing the geometry of the tibia, eliminating the need for the damaged ligament entirely. Most dogs experience significant improvement in comfort and function following TPLO surgery, with many returning to normal activity levels after appropriate recovery. If your dog has been diagnosed with a CCL tear or is showing signs of knee instability, ask our team about TPLO surgery.

Patellar Luxation

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Patellar luxation—a condition in which the kneecap slips out of its normal position—is common in small and toy breeds, though it can affect dogs and cats of any size. Mild cases may be managed conservatively, but moderate to severe luxation typically requires surgical correction to restore proper alignment, relieve pain, and prevent the development of secondary arthritis.

Fracture Repair

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Bone fractures resulting from trauma, falls, or accidents may require surgical stabilization using plates, screws, pins, or wires to restore proper alignment and allow the bone to heal correctly. The specific repair technique depends on the location and nature of the fracture, as well as the size and age of the patient.

Hip Conditions

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Hip dysplasia and other hip joint abnormalities can cause chronic pain and progressive loss of function in affected pets. Surgical options vary depending on the severity of the condition, the pet's age and size, and the degree of secondary joint changes present. Early evaluation and intervention offer the best outcomes.

Elbow Conditions

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Elbow dysplasia and related conditions—including fragmented coronoid process and osteochondrosis—are common causes of forelimb lameness in young, large-breed dogs. Surgical intervention may be recommended to remove abnormal tissue, address joint incongruity, or slow the progression of secondary arthritis.

Bone and Joint Infections

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Infections affecting the bones or joints—known as osteomyelitis and septic arthritis, respectively—require prompt diagnosis and treatment. Surgical intervention may be necessary to debride infected tissue, drain affected joints, or stabilize damaged bone in conjunction with antibiotic therapy.

Meet Our Visiting Orthopedic Surgeon—Caleb Vaughan, DVM

Caleb Vaughan, DVM, is a mobile veterinary surgeon who brings advanced orthopedic and soft tissue surgical expertise directly to Foland Veterinary Services. Available by appointment, Dr. Vaughan performs complex procedures at our clinic that would otherwise require a referral to a specialty hospital—giving our patients access to a higher level of care without leaving the practice they trust.

Having Dr. Vaughan available in our facility means your pet benefits from specialized surgical skill alongside the familiar faces and attentive support of the Foland Veterinary Services team. Your pet’s care remains coordinated and continuous from pre-surgical evaluation through post-operative recovery—all under one roof.

Our Surgical Safety Standards

Every orthopedic surgical patient at Foland Veterinary Services receives individualized care built around their safety and comfort. Our standards include:

Pre-Surgical Evaluation & Imaging

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A thorough pre-surgical workup is essential for orthopedic cases. This typically includes a detailed physical examination, digital X-rays to evaluate bone and joint structures, and pre-anesthetic bloodwork to assess overall health and anesthetic suitability. In some cases, additional imaging such as ultrasound may be recommended. Understanding the full picture before surgery allows Dr. Vaughan and our team to plan the safest, most effective approach for your individual pet.

Individualized Anesthetic Protocols

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Orthopedic procedures often involve longer anesthetic times and more complex monitoring needs than routine surgeries. Every patient receives a customized anesthetic plan tailored to their species, breed, age, weight, and health status—with continuous monitoring of vital signs throughout.

Pain Management

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Effective pain control is especially critical in orthopedic surgery, where post-operative comfort directly impacts recovery and rehabilitation outcomes. We use multimodal pain management protocols before, during, and after surgery to keep your pet as comfortable as possible and support the healing process.

Post-Operative Care & Rehabilitation Guidance

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Recovery from orthopedic surgery requires patience, consistency, and close attention to your pet's progress. Our team will provide detailed discharge instructions covering activity restrictions, wound monitoring, medication administration, and follow-up care. Controlled, gradual rehabilitation is key to a successful outcome—and we'll be here to support you and your pet every step of the way.

What to Expect Before, During & After Orthopedic Surgery

Before Surgery

Our team will work with you to schedule a pre-surgical consultation to evaluate your pet’s condition, discuss the recommended procedure, review imaging findings, and answer all of your questions. You’ll leave the consultation with a clear understanding of what the surgery involves, what recovery looks like, and what outcomes are realistic for your pet.

On the Day of Surgery

Your pet will be checked in and prepared by our team before Dr. Vaughan performs the procedure. Anesthesia will be administered and maintained by our staff, with continuous monitoring throughout. Most orthopedic procedures are completed the same day, and many pets are able to go home that evening.

After Surgery

Orthopedic recovery typically involves a period of strict activity restriction followed by a gradual return to normal function. You’ll receive detailed instructions at discharge, and follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor healing and assess progress. Please don’t hesitate to contact us between appointments if you have questions or concerns—your pet’s recovery matters to us.

Pet Orthopedic Surgery FAQs

How do I know if my pet needs orthopedic surgery?

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Common signs that may indicate an orthopedic condition include limping or lameness, reluctance to bear weight on a limb, swelling around a joint, stiffness—especially after rest—reduced activity or reluctance to jump, and audible clicking or popping from a joint. If your pet is showing any of these signs, schedule an evaluation so we can assess what's going on and discuss the most appropriate course of action.

What is TPLO surgery and is it right for my dog?

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TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) is a surgical procedure used to treat cranial cruciate ligament rupture in dogs—one of the most common orthopedic injuries we see. It involves cutting and repositioning the tibia to stabilize the knee joint without relying on the damaged ligament. TPLO is considered the gold standard treatment for most dogs with CCL disease, particularly medium to large breeds. Whether it's the right choice for your dog depends on factors including their size, age, activity level, and the extent of joint damage—all of which we'll evaluate during a pre-surgical consultation.

What is recovery like after TPLO or other orthopedic surgery?

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Recovery from orthopedic surgery—particularly TPLO—requires a dedicated period of restricted activity followed by a carefully managed return to normal exercise. Most dogs begin bearing some weight on the affected limb within the first few weeks, with full recovery typically taking several months. Controlled leash walks, physical therapy exercises, and close monitoring of the surgical site are all important components of a successful recovery. We'll walk you through everything you need to know at discharge.

Can cats have orthopedic surgery?

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Yes. While orthopedic conditions are more commonly discussed in dogs, cats can also develop fractures, patellar luxation, hip dysplasia, and other conditions that may benefit from surgical treatment. The approach to feline orthopedic surgery requires careful consideration of the cat's size, temperament, and specific condition—all factors that Dr. Vaughan and our team will evaluate thoroughly.

Is orthopedic surgery safe for older pets?

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Age alone is not a disqualifying factor for surgery. Many senior pets are excellent surgical candidates and experience meaningful improvements in comfort and mobility following orthopedic procedures. Pre-surgical bloodwork and a thorough health evaluation help us identify and address any risk factors—and in many cases, the impact of an untreated orthopedic condition on an older pet's quality of life makes surgery well worth pursuing.

How soon should my pet have surgery after a CCL injury?

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Prompt evaluation is important. While surgery doesn't always need to happen immediately, delaying treatment for a CCL rupture allows progressive joint damage and arthritis to develop, which can complicate recovery and reduce long-term outcomes. If your dog has been diagnosed with or is suspected of having a CCL tear, we recommend scheduling a consultation as soon as possible.

Will my pet need physical therapy after orthopedic surgery?

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Controlled rehabilitation exercise is an important part of recovery from most orthopedic procedures. While formal physical therapy may not always be required, our team will provide a structured home rehabilitation plan that guides your pet through a gradual return to normal activity. We'll let you know if a referral for more formal rehabilitation services is recommended for your pet's specific case.

Advanced Orthopedic Care Without Leaving Your Community

Access to specialized orthopedic surgery shouldn’t require a long drive to an unfamiliar facility—and at Foland Veterinary Services, it doesn’t have to. Through our partnership with Caleb Vaughan, DVM, pet owners throughout Parker County have access to advanced orthopedic surgical expertise in the same trusted, familiar environment where their pets already receive everyday care. From CCL repairs and TPLO surgery to fracture stabilization and beyond, our team is committed to delivering the skilled, compassionate surgical care that your pet—and your family—deserve.

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