Disorder of the Gait in Dogs

Lameness is a clinical sign of a more severe disorder that results in a disturbance in the gait and the ability to move the body about, typically in response to pain, injury, or abnormal anatomy.

Symptoms and Types

Lameness may involve one or more limbs and varies in severity from subtle pain or tenderness to an inbability to place any weight on the limb (i.e., carrying the leg). If only one forelimb is involved, the head and neck move upward when the affected limb is placed on the ground and drops when the unaffected limb bears weight. Meanwhile, if only one hind limb is involved, the pelvis drops when affected leg bears weight, rises when weight is lifted. And if both hind limbs are involved, forelimbs are carried lower to shift weight forward. In addition, lameness may become worse after strenuous activity or alleviate with rest.

Other signs and symptoms associated with lameness include:

Pain

Decreased range of motion

Loss of muscle mass (muscle atrophy )

) Abnormal posture when standing, getting up, lying down, or sitting

Abnormal gait when walking, trotting, climbing stairs, or doing figure-eights

Nervous system signs — confusion, trembling, etc.

Bones and/or joints may be abnormal in size, shape

Grating sound with joint movement

Causes

Forelimb lameness in still growing dogs that are less than 12 months of age

Osteochondrosis of the shoulder — from a group of orthopedic diseases that occur in rapidly growing animals

Shoulder dislocation or partial dislocation of congenital origin

Osteochondrosis of the elbow

Ununited anconeal process - a form of elbow dysplasia , an abnormality in the maturation of cells within a tissue

, an abnormality in the maturation of cells within a tissue Fragmented medial coronoid process - degeneration in the elbow

Elbow incongruity - failure of the bones to grow at the same rate

Avulsion (tear) or calcification of the flexor muscles of the elbow

Asymmetric (uneven) growth of the radius and ulna (bones of the foreleg)

Panosteitis — inflammation of the bones

Hypertrophic osteodystrophy — a disease characterized by decreased blood flow to the part of the bone adjacent to the joint

Trauma to the soft tissue, bone, or joint

Infection – may be local or generalized ( systemic )

) Nutritional imbalances

Congenital abnormalities (present at birth)

Forelimb lameness in mature dogs that are older than 12 months of age

Degenerative joint disease - progressive and permanent deterioration of joint cartilage

Bicipital tenosynovitis - inflammation of the tendons of the biceps

Calcification or mineralization of the supraspinatus or infraspinatus tendon – the rotator cuff muscles

Contracture of the supraspinatus or infraspinatus muscle – shortening of the muscle's connective tissue due to scarring, paralysis, or spasms

Soft-tissue or bone cancer – may be primary, or metastatic (cancer that has spread)

Trauma to the soft tissue, bone, or joint

Panosteitis – inflammation of the bones

Polyarthropathies – arthritic and inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system

Polymyositis - inflammation of the muscle fibers

Polyneuritis – widespread inflammation of the nerves

Hindlimb lameness in growing dogs that are less than 12 months of age

Hip dysplasia - overgrowth of cells

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head - Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, where the ball of the thighbone in the hip doesn't get enough blood, causing the bone to die

of the femoral head - Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, where the ball of the thighbone in the hip doesn't get enough blood, causing the bone to die Osteochondritis of stifle - fragments of cartilage or bone have become loose within the knee joint

- fragments of cartilage or bone have become loose within the knee joint Patella luxation - medial or lateral disorder, in which the kneecap dislocates or moves out of its normal location

- medial or disorder, in which the kneecap dislocates or moves out of its normal location Osteochondritis of the hock - fragments of cartilage or bone have become loose within the hock, the joint of the hind leg

Panosteitis – inflammation of the bones

Hypertrophic osteodystrophy - a disease characterized by decreased blood flow to the part of the bone adjacent to the joint

Trauma to the soft tissue, bone, or joint

Infection – may be local, or generalized (systemic)

Nutritional imbalances

Congenital abnormalities (present at birth)

Hindlimb lameness in mature dogs that are greater than 12 months of age

Degenerative joint disease - progressive and permanent deterioration of joint cartilage), secondary to hip dysplasia (abnormal formation of the hip joint)

Cruciate ligament disease - the tearing of an important ligament in the knee joint

Avulsion (tearing) of the long digital extensor tendon (the toe extender tendon)

Soft-tissue or bone cancer – may be primary, or metastatic (cancer that has spread)

Trauma to the soft tissue, bone, or joint

Panosteitis – inflammation of the bones

Polyarthropathies – arthritic and inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system

Polymyositis - inflammation of the muscle fibers

Polyneuritis – widespread inflammation of the nerves

Risk Factors

Breed (size)

Overweight

Frequent, strenuous activity

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your pet, taking into account the background history of symptoms and possible incidents that might have led to this condition. Standard tests include a complete blood profile, a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis.

Because there are so many possible causes for lameness, your veterinarian will most likely use differential diagnosis. This process is guided by deeper inspection of the apparent outward symptoms, ruling out each of the more common causes until the correct disorder is settled upon and can be treated appropriately.

Your veterinarian will first try to differentiate between musculoskeletal, neurogenic and metabolic causes. The urinalysis may determine whether a muscle injury is reflected in the readings. Diagnostic imaging will include X-rays of the area of the lameness. Computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will also be used when appropriate. Your doctor will also take samples of joint fluid for laboratory analysis, along with tissue and muscle samples in order to conduct a muscle and/or nerve biopsy to look for neuromuscular disease.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. If your dog is overweight, you will need to make changes in the dog's daily diet. Your veterinarian will assist you in creating a food plan that will best work for your dog according to its breed, size and age. There are several medications that can be used to treat the symptoms and underlying causes your dog is suffering from. For example, pain relievers may be prescribed, along with steroids that can be used help to reduce inflammation in the muscles and nerves, allowing healing to take place.

Living and Management

Your role and that of your veterinarian in the period following treatment will vary according to the diagnosis.

Prevention

If you have a large breed dog, you will need to be on guard against allowing your dog to gain excess weight. Conversely, if your dog is a very rambunctious and energetic breed, you will want to observe the dog, and take note of any changes in movement or behavior after exercising, as some highly energetic dogs have a tendency to overdo it.

neuromuscular The area found between the muscles and the endings of the nerves

nerve A bundle of fibers that are used in the process of sending impulses through the body

pelvis The term for the hip and related area

systemic Something that is related to the whole body and not just one particular part or organ

urinalysis An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness

necrosis A condition of dead tissue

stifle The term for the joint between the femur and tibia (knee cap)

lateral Moving or located away from the midline; located along the side

biopsy The process of removing tissue to examine it, usually for medical reasons.

biceps Any muscle that has two heads.

dysplasia A condition in which growth and development are not up to normal standards

gait The term used to describe the movement of an animal

atrophy The wasting away of certain tissues; a medical condition that occurs when tissues fail to grow.

lameness Any type of pain or tenderness or lack of soundness in the feet or legs of animals