My pet has a limp
Why is my pet limping?
Lameness can have many causes, although pain remains the most common. They are frequently linked to muscular, tendinous or osteo-articular trauma.
Other causes include mechanical problems such as dislocation of the patella or other joint instability. These are often associated with pain.
Finally, lameness can also be caused by a neurological condition, leading to pain and/or lack of control of the affected limb.
Lameness may affect a single limb or several, and may vary in intensity and frequency.
Lameness is classified by grade of importance:
0 = no lameness
1 = intermittent lameness
2 = constant and moderate
3 = constant and marked
4 = severe with limited support
5 = without support.
The higher the grade, the greater the potential pain.
What should I do if my pet limps?
The first thing to do is to check for any apparent injury. Check the whole paw, paying particular attention to the area between the fingers.
In the event of lameness, rest is essential. Dogs should be walked only to relieve themselves, and kept on a leash during outings, even if these take place in the garden. Cats should be confined to a small area, avoiding jumping.
In the event of grade 2 or higher lameness, a quick visit to your vet is essential. This is also the case for grade 1 lameness that has been present for several weeks.
It's also important to consult us if your puppy develops lameness or ambulatory difficulties as he grows. To avoid any sequelae or chronic lesions, it's important to quickly determine the origin of the problem. Screenings are recommended for breeds at risk of elbow or hip dysplasia, which are frequent causes of lameness in dogs.
What are the most common causes of lameness?
Accidents or physical trauma are the most frequent causes. They can lead to :
- fractures, the most serious of which involve joints or open fractures
- dislocations of the hip, knee, ankle, elbow, etc.
- tendon injuries such as Achilles tendon rupture or tendonitis
- ligament injuries such as cruciate ligament rupture
- meniscus lesions
- muscle tears
Illnesses can also lead to pain and lameness:
- osteoarthritis
- arthritis
- certain cancers
- panosteites
- growth plate disorders
- myositis
- neuritis
There are many causes of lameness. It is important to correctly identify their origin in order to treat them properly.
How can you determine the origin of lameness?
A general clinical examination of your pet is essential. Examination of the gait will help identify the affected limb(s) and guide the diagnosis.
Lastly, direct examination enables us to target painful, unstable or inflamed areas by means of manipulations.
Additional examinations are often necessary to characterize the anomalies:
- X-rays: to assess the skeleton
- CT scan: a very interesting examination because it is very precise
- MRI: also useful for assessing soft tissues (ligaments, menisci, muscles, tendons, etc.).
- ultrasound
How to treat lameness
Obviously, this depends on its origin and severity. There are, however, a few systematic rules:
- Hygienic rules :
In the event of lameness, rest is essential. Dogs should be walked on a leash, not running or jumping, and should avoid obstacles such as stairs. Cats should be kept at home, in a confined area, avoiding jumping.
For chronic lameness, adapting the animal's living environment is necessary to help it move around.
For overweight animals, a slimming diet is necessary. The heavier your animals, the greater the pain
- Pain treatment
There are many of them. Pain is always an aggravating factor for the animal. It needs to be managed, even in the case of pain that appears to be mild or moderate.
Pain can be managed by medication, joint infiltration (PRP or stem cells), laser therapy...
- Physiotherapy
It corresponds to the treatments carried out by physiotherapists on men. It is very useful for speeding up recovery and improving results.
- surgical treatments
Orthopedic surgical techniques are numerous and constantly evolving in the veterinary field. They are sometimes necessary to ensure pain control and allow the animal to reuse its diseased limb in the best possible conditions.