NorthStar VETS Cool Case Buster

The team at NorthStar VETS is doing innovative and amazing things every day as they work to advance the level of care available to your pet. This series of posts highlights cool cases at NorthStar VETS and the types of things done to save pets and improve their quality of life. These are cases using innovative and cutting-edge medical techniques, and/or stories of pets beating the odds. Read the story below in the doctor’s own words about the case. This is the story of Buster, a patient of Dr. Kelly Kraus of our Surgery team, and how she repaired this dog’s fractured leg.

About Buster
Buster is a 1-year-old boxer puppy who jumped over a fence and unfortunately landed incorrectly on his hind leg. He sustained a fracture to his tibia and fibula. He came to see us for a consultation regarding fracture repair.

How things went for Buster
Fractures of the tibia are not uncommon in dogs and cats, and most likely result from some sort of trauma (falls, road accidents.) Some of these fractures are amenable to treatment with a splint, which allows the bones to heal on their own. However, in a larger and active dog with a fracture such as Buster’s, surgical repair with open reduction and internal fixation with stainless steel surgical implants is a more stable option.

The implants allow the bones to remain in position for optimal healing. In most dogs, implants are not removed unless there are problems (like infection, implant migration, or implant failure.) Complications with fracture repair are more likely to occur if a dog does too much activity too soon after repair. In dogs and cats, bone healing typically takes at least 8 weeks – sometimes sooner in a very young dog.

Buster had surgery with a bone plate, screws, and cerclage wires to stabilize his fracture. He did very well under anesthesia and was able to go home to his parents the next day. Buster will be due back for follow-up xrays in 4 weeks to check on his bone healing and progression.

Learn more about the Surgery service at NorthStar VETS

Kelly Kraus, VMD, DACVS
Dr. Kraus is originally from Connecticut. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland in 2003 before moving to Philadelphia, where she did molecular genetics research for two years at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Kraus then completed veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania in 2009. After graduating, she completed a rotating internship at Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, NJ. She then moved to Texas to complete a one-year internship in surgery at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists. She was fortunate to then move back to New Jersey for a three-year residency in surgery at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, which she completed in 2014.

She is excited to be part of the surgery team at Northstar Vets. Her special surgical interests include, but are not limited to, wound management and reconstructive surgery, surgical oncology, cardiothoracic surgery, and hepatobiliary surgery. Dr. Kraus also enjoys management of orthopedic conditions. She is trained in the tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) for cranial cruciate ligament disease. Outside of work, Dr. Kraus enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, traveling, and helping her local SPCA.

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The information presented on this web site is not intended to take the place of your family veterinarian’s advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Discuss this information with your own veterinarian to determine what is right for your pet. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. We can not and do not give you medical advice via this blog. The information contained in this online site and emails is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad understanding and knowledge. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or advice of your veterinarian. We do not recommend the self-management of your pet’s health problems.