- Unloading a leg when the animal is moving, standing still or sitting.
- Stiffness, especially after rest.
- Reduced activity level due to pain.
- Unnatural movement or posture.
- Tenderness, swelling, or warmth in a bone or joint.
- Increased licking of a specific area on the leg, paw or back.
- The animal withdraws, has a decreased appetite or general condition
Causes of lameness
Claw fractures and wounds:
Sometimes dogs and cats can break their claws or get wounds on their paws, which can result in pain and lameness.
Furunculosis and other skin inflammations:
Skin problems such as furunculosis (boils) or inflammation between the toes can cause discomfort and lameness.
Osteoarthritis:
Just like humans, older animals can often suffer from osteoarthritis, a joint disease that causes the cartilage in the joints to break down, leading to pain and reduced mobility.
Bone break (fracture):
Bone fractures can occur as a result of trauma, and it is important that these are evaluated and treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Developmental disorders of the skeleton and joints:
Some animals may suffer from developmental disorders such as hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia, which can lead to lameness. Early detection and treatment are important for these conditions.
Damage to soft tissues and muscles:
Damage to the ligaments, tendons, and cartilage around the joints can also cause lameness. This can occur after trauma or overuse.
Cruciate ligament injury:
A common injury in dogs is cruciate ligament damage, which can lead to lameness and pain in the knee joint.
Other causes:
The animal can also become lame due to infections, neurological diseases, autoimmune diseases or even tumor diseases of the skeleton or joints.
When should you seek medical attention?
Lameness should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. If you have a young animal, it is important to get an early diagnosis and treatment as it can be crucial for the animal's future function. For adult animals with milder lameness, a veterinary examination should be performed within a day or two. In the period leading up to the veterinary visit, it is important to limit the animal's movement; outdoor cats should be kept indoors.
Treatment of lameness
The treatment of lameness depends on the cause. For osteoarthritis, there are several treatment options to relieve pain and reduce inflammation, even if the osteoarthritis itself is chronic. If the animal needs pain relief in the form of medication for the short or long term, this will be prescribed by the veterinarian on site. See the consultation section in our
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