Tag Archive for: injuries in dogs

There are several factors why a dog may have trouble walking. When evaluating a pathology, we must take into account, among other things, the age of the animal, since on some occasions, such as in elderly dogs, the main reason may be age itself. But what other causes can there be?

Causes of walking problems

Depending on the rhythm of life that our dog leads, it is possible that he will experience localized pain for a few days. Just as it happens to us, excessive exercise can cause tiredness and weakness. This will cause us to have trouble walking.

However, when the pain lasts for more than a couple of days, we should go to the vet. There they will make an assessment and proceed with the diagnosis. Some of the most common causes of walking problems are the following.

Razones por las que un perro tiene problemas para caminar

injuries

In addition to an unseen fracture or torn tendon, walking problems can also be caused by a back or spinal cord injury. This usually appears due to trauma, a stroke or damage to the discs.

When a dog’s spinal cord or spine is inflamed or injured, the hind legs may show signs of weakness or instability. This will inevitably cause problems walking. If our dog has not suffered an accident but is in this situation, we must go to the vet as soon as possible.

degenerative myelopathy

This disease is another reason why a dog may have trouble walking. Especially in adult dogs , the fibers that send signals to the brain for leg movement are gradually being destroyed. The cause is the deterioration of the spinal cord itself.

Dogs with myelopathy do not experience pain, but the disease directly affects mobility. The legs lose strength and the animal is not able to walk normally or stand for long. Currently there is no cure for this disease, but physiotherapy and holistic medicine can relieve symptoms.

Diabetes

Females are more prone to diabetes, which can also cause walking problems. Although some breeds such as Goldens, German Shepherds or Schnauzers are more prone, it can affect anyone.

To avoid diabetes, it is advisable not to give dogs foods rich in sugar. Since they are capable of eating anything, it is very common for many owners to share their food. But we must not forget that some apparently harmless foods that they also like are toxic to them. To determine if diabetes is the cause of walking problems, an analysis is enough.

osteoarthritis

Arthritis and osteoarthritis are other reasons why dogs can have trouble walking. Adult dogs and large breeds are usually the ones who suffer the most from this disease. It usually affects the hip and knee joints, deteriorating cushioning and causing pain.

Some medications in addition to physical therapy can relieve symptoms. Thus, our friend will be able to maintain an optimal quality of life and reduce his problems walking.

The causes of walking problems are wide and varied. In any case, if we observe that our dog spends more than two days without being able to move normally, it is best to go to the vet. The sooner we detect the problem, the sooner we can fix it.

Ortocanis: Ayudas para perros con movilidad reducida

A hit or fall are the main causes of broken bones in dogs. Also the age or physical condition of the dog will affect to a greater or lesser extent the severity of the situation. Since one day we could see ourselves in this situation, we will know how we should act before a fracture in a dog.

What are bone fractures?

A fracture is a partial or total break of a bone. Depending on the severity and type of fracture, it may or may not be visible. Thus, some can break the skin and appear to the outside, while at other times the displacement of the bone remains inside the skin.

Knowing how to act on a fracture is vital, because although they have treatment, if we do not act quickly we can endanger the life of the animal. Some factors that will influence the trigger or evolution are the age of the dog, weight, lifestyle or possible pathologies that may suffer.

Cómo actuar ante una fractura de perro

The importance of knowing how to act in the face of a fracture

As we say, sometimes an accident does not have to have a greater impact than the localized damage itself. But so that gravity does not transcend, it is necessary to know how to act before a fracture in a dog.

If you have been lucky enough not to see yourself in this situation but you want to learn not to take risks, or if it has happened to you and you have not known how to react, we will know the steps we must take to help an injured animal.

Call for help as soon as possible

Whether we have knowledge of first aid or not, we should call a veterinarian as soon as possible. If we have a vehicle, it is important to move it as soon as possible. In the event that we do not have one, we can consult directly with our veterinarian.

Some veterinary clinics have an ambulance service available for the collection of injured animals. We must remember that as with non-visible fractures, there may be other traumatisms that we do not perceive. Knowing how to act in the face of a fracture or an accident is essential to save their lives.

Immobilizes the area

If it is a visible fracture and we have knowledge of first aid, we can proceed to immobilize the area. A newspaper or a magazine can be useful to us. It is enough to tie them or hold them with a bandage around the fractured limb.

However, before rushing to act on a fracture, we must ask ourselves if we really know how to do it. If we are not in possession of minimal knowledge about the splinting of a limb, it is better to wait for assistance. In addition to worsening the situation if there are joints involved, we can cause pain to the animal.

Modifies your posture if you are unconscious

Sometimes the animal can become unconscious, and acting on a fracture in these cases becomes more important. When moving it, we must raise its head and avoid compressing or bending its neck. Major risks that may occur are choking when swallowing the tongue or cervical damage.

Our veterinarian will then take care of immobilizing the area correctly or performing surgery if necessary. For its recovery, it will be necessary to use splints or other accessories that protect the area.

Check out the items we have available in our store and help them improve quickly. Taking care of him with affection and patience is as important as knowing how to act in the face of a fracture.