Your Guide to Pet Lameness and Limping
It can be scary to see your pet not being able to use one or more of its limbs properly or at all. Pet owners often feel helpless without a clear understanding of what is causing their pet’s lameness or limping. Our veterinary hospital team at Niwot Veterinary Clinic in Niwot, CO, is here to help you understand pet lameness and limping so you can help your pet in its time of need. Here are some of our most commonly asked questions on pet lameness and limping.
What Causes Lameness and Limping?
Many different things can affect your pet’s ability to use its limbs, including but not limited to the following:
• sprains or strains
• joint issues
• bone fractures
• osteoarthritis
• hip or elbow dysplasia
• dislocated kneecap
• spinal injury
• spinal disease
• shoulder instability
• nail or pad issues
Visiting your veterinary hospital is the only way to determine the underlying cause.
How Is Lameness and Limping Treated?
Treatment of lameness or limping depends on the reasons behind it. Some are easy to address, such as nail or pad issues. Surgical intervention can often correct dislocations and spinal injuries. Rest can usually treat shoulder instability, but there may be some instances where surgical intervention is needed. Conservative methods like diet and exercise can treat osteoarthritis, but it may require surgery in some cases.
Will My Pet Limp for the Rest of Its Life?
The hope is that every treatment technique utilized will make walking and being active more comfortable for your pet. Lameness and limping should ideally be reduced or eliminated, but there are no guarantees. Our veterinary hospital team will work with you and your pet to achieve the most optimal outcome possible.
What Do I Do if I Notice Lameness or Limping?
The most important thing to do is schedule an appointment with your veterinary hospital. There are various tests to determine the underlying cause of your pet’s suffering, such as X-rays, CT scans, neurological examinations, and more.
You can get a personalized care plan for your pet once the root is identified. You have a higher chance of a successful outcome if you get the cause diagnosed and treated early.
Schedule a Visit with Your Niwot, CO, Veterinarian
It can be scary and stressful to see your pet not moving the way it normally does, so contact Niwot Veterinary Clinic in Niwot, CO, to get your pet the care it needs to move like it used to. Call us at (303) 652-2194 to schedule an appointment today.