There are numerous reasons some of them unexplainable why your pet may be limping. At vet clinics, we see most pets coming with limping or lameness issues. Just a total disaster of leg movement is not just limping. It may be a slight favoring of a paw or a limb, stiffness when getting up or after running around or avoiding total weight of the body on the leg. Limping can happen to any animal whether dog or a cat.
With many reasons lying down for limping, it is crucial to find the right cause. Some of the most common causes may be injuries, accidents, birth deformities or malformation of joints that can result into the change in their walking or running.
If you find your pet is limping, it is crucial to evaluate the reason behind limping and figure out the solution or take your pet to a vet for complete assessment. This will help in reasoning out and finding out the right treatment or help in diagnosing where it is required for your pet.
Some common injuries are:
Sprains
Wounds
Abscesses
Hip dysplasia
Arthritis
Cruciate disease or ruptures
Fractures
Ligament strains or ruptures
Growth deformities
Nerve pain or spinal injuries
Things To Do If Your Pet Is Limping
When your pet is limping figure out what is wrong with her. Find if you notice the difference - a prickle, wound, swelling, inflammation or hair matt. In case of prickles or matts, try to remove it if your pet allows. This will instantly relieve your pet from pain and she can walk again normally. If there is nothing that you can find and still your pet is limping, it is better to have a vet visit. Your vet is the best judge to find out what is wrong with your pet and what is the best treatment to follow to help your pet with limping problem. Getting answers from you for few of his/her questions, your vet may further advice for testing such as an x-ray. In some cases, animal experts use anesthesia to find the cause behind the lameness.
Pain Relief Medications or Treatments for Limping
This depends on the pet's condition. It can be as simple as removing the prickle or hair matt from the affected area or as complicated as undergoing a surgery to correct or remove the pain source. Sometimes, a course medication or an injection helps in resolving the condition. Whereas in some conditions, they need to be admitted into a hospital for more intensive pain management.
Limping is a curable condition, if you once find out the right reason behind it. There may be hidden reasons behind limping which when unveiled can show the way through the treatment helping pet to get normal again.
Having two spaniels and one bulldog, and taking care of them, I am always eager about sharing lots of information about pet care and their health issues. Throwing some light on pet limping issues, I have shared an article here.
