My pet is limping

+ How we work it out

Limping, or lameness, can affect any pet, any age and at any time. The potential causes are huge ranging from an obvious bruise, through to neurological causes that are challenging to identify. Through careful questioning and examination, we start to put together the puzzle to help guide investigations and treatment.

Step 1: Locate the sore part

• Physical Examination:

With any lameness, your pet is in pain. The discomfort may be very mild and only present when running or landing heavily on the limb, but it is there. Our questioning of when and which leg helps narrow down the location. Manipulating joints, feeling the legs, spine or general body, we look out for signs of pain to help focus our attention.

• X-rays and Ultrasound

Once we have located the site of discomfort, we may need to take some x-rays, or use an ultrasound. By using the equipment, we will be able to get pictures of bones, or images of structures under the skin. From this we can continue to add to our puzzle and this often leads us to a diagnosis.

Step 2: Diagnosis

Once we have the information, we will make a diagnosis. A diagnosis is important because it will determine the type and duration of treatment. A bruised leg, or twisted paw will recover with painkillers and rest, whilst a broken leg will need stabilising, and potentially surgery.

Step 3: Treatment

What we use to treat will depend upon the diagnosis. In all cases painkillers will be prescribed because of the discomfort your pet will be in.

We will always ask to see you at the end of a treatment course. The reason for this is to be certain that our treatment was sufficient. Sometimes the response to treatment gives further indication of the long term prospects of a full recovery.

+ How long does the treatment take?

The initial examination takes about 15 minutes. At the end of the consultation, we will know if we are able to diagnose and prescribe a treatment, or if we need to do further tests.

+ Will an X-ray always be needed?

An X-ray is not always needed. Sometimes we can hold off on an x-ray whilst we see how an initial treatment course will take effect. In these instances, the treatment is a type of test and a follow up consultation is essential to ensure the response is how we predicted.
Where an X-ray will always be advised is in cases of suspected fracture, or a lameness that continues, re-occurs, or does not respond to our treatment courses.