For Referring Veterinarians

Osteosarcoma, commonly abbreviated as OSA, is a malignant tumor of osteoblasts, the cells that make bone.  Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor in dogs. We do not know what causes canine osteosarcoma.  There is no gender predilection, however, osteosarcoma is detected more often in large-giant breed dogs than small dogs.  Trauma and radiation therapy have been implicated as contributing factors in some dogs. While osteosarcoma may develop in any bone, the majority of…

The cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four ligaments within the knee and is the most important joint stabilizer.  Injury to this ligament is common in dogs.  The ligament connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone) and prevents the tibia from sliding forward during normal leg use. Facts about cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) in dogs: CrCL rupture is a common orthopedic injury and the most common…

Obstructive stomach or intestinal foreign bodies (FB) occur when a pet eats a non-food foreign object and it cannot pass through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Foreign bodies can be toys, socks, pantyhose, string, bones, and even mulch.  These items can become lodged under the tongue, or inside the esophagus, stomach, or intestinal tract.  Sometimes FBs can become lodged in multiple locations in the GI tract if they are composed of string, fabric or carpet (i.e.