When Your Pet’s Walk Signals a Bigger Problem
By watching the ways your pet moves throughout the day, you can get a special glimpse into how they’re really doing. While many physical challenges can be temporary and often resolve without intervention, if your pet is limping, unable to balance, has less endurance, or is suddenly sensitive to touch, it’s best to have them checked out.
The Walk As a Baseline
Most dog owners relish the daily walk almost as much as their dogs. It’s not only an opportunity to exercise, walking together maintains the unique bond between them. It also gives you the opportunity to observe your dog’s normal walk.
From Normal to Not
Many older or senior pets suffer from arthritis, a condition characterized by the deterioration of cartilage in one or more joints. This bone-on-bone sensation can feel like grinding when a pet moves. Inflammation, pain, swelling, and sensitivity to touch are common symptoms of arthritis.
Adult and even younger pets can get injured while playing, jumping, or running. And many pets are diagnosed with certain deformities of bones and muscles that they simply inherited.
If symptoms of an orthopedic injury don’t heal on their own within two days, you should schedule a visit with your veterinarian.
The Larger Picture
Whether symptoms are subtle or obvious, take the time to carefully observe your pet’s gait and posture. Ask yourself:
- Can they walk or sit comfortably?
- Do they anxiously work at finding the right way to lay down so they don’t hurt?
- Are they hiding or withdrawing from previously-enjoyed social interactions?
- Even if your pet’s walk seems normal, watch them around the house.
- Have they stopped jumping up on the sofa or bed?
- Did they start preferring lower hangout spaces instead of higher surfaces?
- Are they sleeping more and showing a reluctance to participate in activities they once loved?
Beyond the Walk
A limp, limb favoritism, prolonged stiffness, or an inability to lift the paws when walking could all be connected to an acute injury. When a pet refuses to put weight down on a certain leg or foot, they could be suffering from a tear or sprain that could get worse without help. Also, many pets with cardiovascular and respiratory problems show a startling lack of stamina. Overweight pets can also struggle with physical exercise, and feel impact on their joints.
Charlotte Emergency Vet
Pain can also affect a pet’s temperament and make them increasingly irritable, and even aggressive, toward the people they love. You might also see signs of anxiety and stress in animals that are experiencing pain and discomfort.
Early detection can have a positive effect on the outcome. It’s crucial to get help for your pet as soon as symptoms become noticeable or get in the way of their quality of life. We may recommend certain diagnostics and blood tests to get to the bottom of their symptoms.
Dietary changes, nutritional supplements, pain medications, and other therapies can manage symptoms and bring them comfort. Please call us at (704) 334-4684 with any questions or concerns about your pet gait.