MetroPets - Online pet magazine
  • HOME
  • NEWS & FEATURES
  • PET FOOD
  • PET CARE
  • PRODUCT REVIEWS
  • PET PERSON
  • ANIMAL WELFARE
  • PAWPULAR PETS
  • BEST OF BREED
  • PET GUIDE
  • ABOUT US
  • EDITOR'S NOTES
  • HOME
  • NEWS & FEATURES
  • PET FOOD
  • PET CARE
  • PRODUCT REVIEWS
  • PET PERSON
  • ANIMAL WELFARE
  • PAWPULAR PETS
  • BEST OF BREED
  • PET GUIDE
  • ABOUT US
  • EDITOR'S NOTES



​HEALTH AND WELLNESS

​It's never too late to paws and breathe.

Lameness in dogs explained

6/6/2020

0 Comments

 
By Dr. Pranav Anjaria and Dr. Varun Asediya (BVSc & A H)
College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry,
Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat, India
Picture
HOW come our once active dogs could suddenly become lame? Guest authors Dr. Pranav Anjaria and Dr. Varun Asediya (BVSc & A H) from the College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry of Anand Agricultural University, in Anand, Gujarat, India explain the causes of lameness in dogs, what signs dog owners should keep an eye on, and how this often painful condition in dogs can be prevented and treated.
Lameness refers to an inability to use one or more limbs properly. Most often it is associated with pain or injury. 

CAUSES
The most common etiology of acute or sudden lameness in dogs are: 
  • PAW INJURY
  1. Foreign bodies, like glass, nails, sticks, thorns, plant matter, etc. may injure the paw. They make it uncomfortable to walk and can lead to infection. 
  2. Insect and animal stings or bites can also cause limping, also lacerations, broken toenails, burns, frostbite, and bruising may lead to tenderness in walking. 
  3. A sign that your dog may have something stuck in his paw is that it will start licking it. 

  • JOINT DISEASE
  1. Osteoarthritis
  2. Dysplasia,
  3. Patellar luxation,
  4. Ligament disease,
  5. Intervertebral disk disease
  6. Osteochondritis dissecans (OCd)
  7. Infections like Lyme disease 

  • BONE DISEASE
  1. Hypertrophic osteodystrophy 
  2. Pan osteitis
  3. Osteosarcoma
​
  • INJURY OR TRAUMA
  1. Broken bones
  2. Fractures
  3. Sprains
  4. Dislocations
  5. Ligament tears
  6. Joint trauma 
  7. Spinal injuries

  • NUTRITIONAL IMBALANCES

SIGNS OF LAMENESS IN DOGS
  • Pain
  • Unusual gait while the dog is walking, runs or climbs stairs
  • Swelling of limb
  • Loss of muscle mass
  • Obvious break or dislocation
  • Unusual posture when standing, sitting or lying down
  • Reluctance to exercise or perform normal activities such as climbing stairs
  • Dragging or scuffing paws
  • Confusion, trembling or falling over
  • Grating sound when joints move

DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
  • X-rays of the bones and joints are used to diagnose fractures and dislocations. They are also helpful in distinguishing bone growths from soft tissue swellings.
  • A bone scan (also called nuclear scintigraphy) is an imaging technique that uses radioactive isotopes injected into the body and X-ray equipment to form a picture of the bone and surrounding tissue. These scans are especially useful in diagnosing bone cancers and determining the extent of their spread. 
  • A CT scan or MRI may be of benefit in special circumstances, particularly with tendon, ligament, and muscle damage, but the availability and cost of these studies limit their usefulness. 
  • Synovial fluid is a viscous joint lubricant that contains hyaluronic acid. The fluid can be removed using a sterile needle and syringe. Analyzing this fluid helps determine the cause of joint swelling. Normal synovial fluid is clear and pale yellow. Blood in the fluid indicates a recent joint injury. Pus indicates joint infection (septic arthritis).

RISK FACTORS
  • Breed (size) 
  • Overweight
  • Frequent, strenuous activity

TREATMENT OF LAMENESS
  • The treatment of the condition will depend on the diagnosis of the veterinarian. 
  • Treatment forms that can be managed at home involve-
  • For minor causes of lameness (sprain), restrict your dog’s exercise, or provide complete rest for a few days.
  • If the exact cause is not known, reduced exercise together with anti-inflammatories and pain killers may be required to see if the lameness improves.
  • Weight management if your dog is overweight.

In-patient treatment could involve:
For more serious causes like broken bones, slipped discs - orthopedic or neurological surgery is required.

PREVENTION OF LAMENESS
  • Serious injuries such as being hit by a car or falling from a height can be avoided by keeping your dog on a lead until it is safe to let them off.
  • Be aware of genetic issues that may affect some pedigree breeds.
  • Keep an eye on your dog’s weight.
  • Inspect their paws and pads regularly and remove debris if present.
  • Limit how much you exercise a dog that is still growing to prevent joint problems.
  • Elderly dogs need less exercise and if you notice them slowing down seek veterinary advice in the first instance.
  • You may want to consider using nutritional supplements that contain glucosamine or chondroitin to help support the joints as the animal ages.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    ARTICLES

    * No urgent need for a Covid-19 vaccine for pets
    * Lameness in dogs explained
    * Renaltech predicts CKD in cats with 95% accuracy.
    * First aid treatment for toad poisoning in dogs
    * New technologies address pets' toilet needs
    ​* Veterinarians concerned about rising pet obesity cases
    ​* Cats as vegetarians? Animal group says it's bad idea
    * Study says women sleep better next to dogs
    ​* New drug for dogs scared of loud noise gets FDA approval
    * 10 Things you should know about cat food
    * The raw truth about rawhides
    * Pet-proof your garden by keeping out toxic plants
    * Ways to help pets beat the summer heat
    * Top trends to influence pet food dev't this year
    * Feb. 28 is World Spay Day
    * How to take care of pregnant cats and dogs?
    * Basic signs of a healthy dog and cat
    * PhilHealth accredits 154 animal bite centers
    * Secondhand smoke bad for pets
    ​* Don't scare cats with cucumbers -- experts
    * Why pets become picky eaters 

    * Vet urges brushing of dog's teeth
    * Why you should get into dog yoga
    * Madre De Cacao products for pets in high demand
    * Miao Cat Cafe unveils pets bath and skin care products
    * Why should you hug your cats?
    *
    American Red Cross Summer first aid tips
    *
    Doctors prescribe pets for old people
    *
    Summer is flea season, protect pets
    *
    Kiss your dog for good health
    *
    How to massage your dog
    * Sleeping with pets is both good and bad
    *
    CDO tops rabies cases nationwide
    *
    What animal scares you?
    *
    Two vets on dogs
    * Level of pain dogs feel in various cases
    * Ebola and pets
    * Cat Obesity and the "Catkins" Diet
    * Kakawate for scabies
    * Growing up with a cat
    * 7 Sleeping habits of highly successful cats
    * Get a pet: doctors prescribe
    * Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease

    ARCHIVES

    January 2021
    June 2020
    May 2020
    March 2020
    September 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

Picture
METROPETS
All Rights Reserved



Advertise in METROPETS
Contact METROPETS