
Lameness/Arthritis
It's all fun and games until someone start limping. Take a step in the right direction by knowing when to take your pet to the vet and what might be wrong.
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What to do when your pet is limping?
Pets are constantly on the move. Running after a squirrel, jumping into the car, getting the 'zoomies', chasing a toy down the stairs, excitement about a meal time; every day presents reasons to have a burst of activity. Just like you and I, any time movement is occurring can cause a sprain/strain or deeper injury from moving the wrong way or misplacing a step. Recognizing that the signs listed below are indications of pain or discomfort, they should be taken seriously and monitored appropriately is important. Supplements, medications and supportive treatments can all be discussed with your veterinarian and may be options to provide your pet relief as soon as possible.
Common signs you will begin to recognize at home are:
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Limping
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Non-weight bearing (holding foot up in the air)
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Sensitive/Reactive to touch/petting of specific anatomy (example: A hip or shoulder)
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Uninterested in getting up to go to outside or for meal times
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Difficulty squatting to urinate/defecate
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Not jumping on and off of couches or counters
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Struggling to get into/out of the litterbox or up and down stairs
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Not wanting to play with a toy as long or shorter walks being taken outside
Questions to Know for a Visit in Clinic
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How long has the limping been noted? If longer than a few days - Is it better, worse or the same since first noticing?
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Was there a known cause for the limping? Acute injury versus long term decline?
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Which leg is affected? More than one?
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Are they putting weight on the leg? Or not putting their paw down on the ground at all?
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Does a specific portion of the leg seem more painful? Are they reactive (vocal or protective) around their hip versus knee, etc.?
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Has your pet been getting any pain medications or joint supplements? If yes, what are they? Also, do they seem to be helping?
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Does it seem worse an any specific time of day or after a certain activity? Only after laying down vs after excess exercise vs in the morning/evening?
Acute Injury
Causes range from sprain, torn nail, cut/wound, foreign material stuck in the skin (such as a thorn or rock), etc.
Signs:
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​Consistent limping on same leg (may be non-weight bearing)
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Recent swelling to limb or joint
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Obsessive licking at only one foot or joint
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Possible bleeding (if cut or torn nail is primary cause)
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Sensitive/Reactive to palpation/petting in a specific area of the body
Diagnosis:
Often physical exam is necessary to narrow down the specific cause of the sudden onset of symptoms. As there are such a wide variety of injuries possible, a veterinary exam allows palpation and observation of all aspects of the affected limb(s). Additional diagnostics to determine the primary cause of the limp may include specific range of motion manipulation by the veterinarian or radiographs.
Treatment:
As causes can vary so greatly, treatment will be determined by the primary cause. For torn nails and wounds, general anesthetics may be necessary to resolve the primary cause of the pain. Any of these injuries will likely benefit from some form of a pain medication, commonly NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs). Most injuries would also benefit from our clinic's Class IV Cold Laser Therapy. There are a variety of settings available to personalize treatment to the specific injury for your pet. Often rest and minimal activity will also be necessary to prevent re injury during the healing process.
Chronic Arthritis
Signs:
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Limping that ebbs and flows (pet can 'walk it off')​
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Licking at joints on multiple limbs
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Difficulty getting up from laying down or trying to lay down
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Difficulty on hardwood or non-textured floors
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Behavioral changes (example: used to sleep on the couch but now sleep on a dog bed on the floor -or- used to climb up a cat tree to look outside but now only can make it onto a chair)
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Avoidance to go up or down stairs
Diagnosis:
Progressive changes over time are often difficult to monitor. Annual veterinary exams are extremely beneficial for this reason. While at home, they may in most aspects seem happy, healthy and content, maybe last year at the vet they were okay, but this year they cried out when the veterinarian was feeling down their spine. Instead of running to the car, they walked and waited for you to lift them in. This diagnosis is difficult due to the slow, progressive nature. However, there are a variety of medications, supplements and treatments available to help keep our pets comfortable for as long as possible.
Treatment:
Treatment is highly variable on the severity of symptoms. Supplements are a great way to protect cartilage and keep the joints healthy and working smoothly. Medications may be necessary to provide intermittent or more routine relief. There are a variety of oral medications available depending on the primary source of pain (inflammation versus nerve based), as well as a monthly injection available. Treatments options available will range depending on what your primary veterinary offers and how other clinics in the area may be able to assist. Our clinic is proud to offer both Cold Laser Therapy, as well as Veterinary Spinal Manipulation Therapy with Dr. Tanya Hoffman. Additional considerations available in the veterinary community would include (but is not limited to) acupuncture, massage therapy, and hydrotherapy. Be sure to have a conversation with your primary veterinarian as to which options would be best for your pet and what products they recommend. Unfortunately, there are MANY products on the market, with many that do not show the desired benefits we strive to provide. We work to find the best of the best for your pet that will support their health long term.
Torn Cruciate Ligament
Signs:
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​Sudden onset Lameness/Non-weight bearing on one of the rear legs (especially if it occurs after excess exercise)
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Difficulty/discomfort with bending of affected leg
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Protective/Defensive around joint
Diagnosis:
Starting with a physical exam is an important step in diagnosing a torn cruciate ligament. Due to the variety of injuries that can occur that cause a limp, ruling out other causes is necessary. If a torn cruciate is suspected, there are two primary ways to diagnose and evaluate the severity. Sedation may be necessary for these diagnostic tools to allow for manipulation and appropriate positioning of the joint. The first is the 'Cranial Drawer Test'. This test requires the veterinarian to manipulated the joint forward and backward while assessing the integrity of the joint. This joint, when not torn, should show little to no movement when manipulated. The second testing would be radiographs of the joint, ideally to be sent and evaluated by a veterinary orthopedic surgeon if available. Between these diagnostic tools, a diagnosis is possible and plan can be made depending on the severity of the tear (partial tears can occur to this ligament).
Treatment:
Treatment requires surgical intervention for full resolution. There are many different methods of repair for the cruciate ligament. The method chosen for your pet will likely depend on what is offered by your local veterinarian or orthopedic surgeon and the severity of the tear. This surgery is invasive (often going directly into the joint) and requires STRICT rest for 6-8 weeks after the procedure to allow for appropriate healing. Additional physical therapy modalities such as hydrotherapy is also recommended consideration to assist in reintroducing movement to the joint is a supportive way. Until surgery is able to be scheduled, often anti-inflammatories are provided for patient comfort.