LAMENESS / LIMPING

Lameness conditions in dogs

Causes of lameness in dogs can be divided into categories including:

• Orthopaedic

• Neurological

• Immune-mediated and/or inflammatory

• Hormonal

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Common causes of lameness that fit into these categories include:

• Cruciate (ACL) disease and/or ligament rupture

• Hip dysplasia

• Soft tissue injury

• Luxating patella (knee cap)

• Elbow dysplasia

• Fractures and/or avulsion injury

• Spinal disease (IVDD) or injury

• Shoulder instability or shoulder tendon injury

• Nail & pad disease and/or injury

• Osteoarthritis

• Lumbosacral disease

• Bone tumours (cancer)

• Immune-mediated arthritis or immune-mediated nail bed conditions

• Degenerative myelopathy

• Infectious

• Hypoadrenocortism (Addisons) - weakness which can 'look like' lameness