Lameness can cause your dog discomfort and prevent him or her from being active. At Trinity Pet Hospital in Laguna Hills, CA, we provide comprehensive exams to learn more about your dog’s condition and treatment to help it feel better. Before visiting us, we invite you to keep reading to learn more about lameness in dogs!
Symptoms of Lameness in Dogs
If your dog is experiencing lameness, he or she may exhibit a variety of symptoms. You might notice that your dog isn't putting weight on one of its legs or it might be licking a certain part of its leg. Along with that, it might shift its weight off one of its legs when it's standing up. In addition, you may notice swelling in one of its legs or that he or she is not exercising as much as before.
What Causes Lameness?
Lameness can be caused by several factors. Some causes of lameness include the following:
• Arthritis
• Cranial cruciate ligament rupture
• Hip dysplasia
• Hypertrophic osteodystrophy
• Intervertebral disc disease
When to Seek Treatment
As soon as notice that your dog is limping, we recommend visiting our veterinarian. We will carefully examine your dog to determine what is causing their lameness. Our vet may also take X-rays and other imaging to learn more about your pet’s condition. After reviewing the results, we will suggest the most suitable treatment. We might recommend surgery, casts, or rehabilitation. For example, we may recommend that your dog walks on an underwater treatment to ease any strain on the joints and ligaments.
It is important to monitor how your dog is doing during rehab or recovery. If it seems like he or she is feeling worse, you may need to visit us for another appointment. We can perform another evaluation and recommend a different treatment.
Contact us for an Appointment Today!
If your pet is experiencing pain due to lameness, let our team at Trinity Pet Hospital in Laguna Hills, CA, help. To learn more about our treatments or to schedule your appointment, contact us at (949) 768-1314 today. When you’re looking for a veterinarian near me, we are happy to assist!