Is it a pulled muscle or a torn ACL? Can cats get luxating patellas? How early can you run with your Lab? In Part 2 of our expert conversation, Irreplaceable Tails hosts Dr. Gershon Alaluf and Mallory Dickinson, RVT welcome back Dr. Justin Grecco, board-certified veterinary surgeon, for an unfiltered dive into the gray areas of orthopedic diagnosis, post-op misconceptions, and wild stories from the surgical front lines (yes, including a lion and a bomb-sniffing dog).

What you'll learn:

– Muscle strain vs. joint disease: how to actually tell the difference

– Why ACLs almost never need an MRI

– How to film your dog’s limp like a pro

– What’s visible (and not) on X-rays, CTs, and MRIs

– The hidden dangers of long-term patella issues

– When to operate on luxating patellas—and when to wait

– Why bulldogs breathe like they’re using a straw (and how to fix it)

– Surgical stories you’ll never forget (lion, bald eagle, bomb dog 🦁🦅🐾)

Who should listen:

– Pet owners dealing with lameness, breathing, or joint issues

– Bulldog and Frenchie lovers

– Veterinary professionals and vet tech students

– Anyone who loves a wild (but educational) surgery story

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro + How to tell strain vs. joint issue

02:00 – MRI myths & ACL truths

05:00 – Limp videos: helpful or not?

08:00 – X-rays vs. CT vs. MRI explained

13:00 – Luxating patellas: When to treat, when to wait

20:00 – Bulldogs, soft palates & stealth mode recovery

29:00 – Most memorable surgeries: lions, bald eagles & bomb dogs 🦁

Stay Connected:

• Like if you’ve ever wondered if your dog’s limp was “just a sprain”
• Comment with your pet’s post-op recovery experience
• Subscribe so you don’t miss the next animal care deep dive Irreplaceable Tails: Because every pet’s story matters.

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

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📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

Ep. 12

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