Symptoms of Dog Leg Injuries
Dogs Symptoms and Canine Health - Dog Leg Injuries - General Canine Observations
When you are worried about your pet dogs or puppies it is wise to make general observations and a note of your dog's general well-being before considering a health issue and problem such as Dog Leg Injuries. Overall physical condition? Mental attitude? Appetite? Condition of bowels and urinary apparatus? The nose of healthy dogs or puppies is moist and cool but in sick dogs it is usually hot and dry. Hair loss? Dry skin? Discharges? These general observations are useful to consider whilst checking out the symptoms of Dog Leg Injuries. Dog Paw Injuries - Injuries to dogs paws are common. Stepping on glass is a common injury to the pads on the bottom of a dogs foot as is standing on a thorn. A torn or bleeding nail is another injury that happens frequently and is often caused by the nail being cut too short. These types of injury can take time to heal as they can get infected easily and are constantly under pressure from standing. A limping dog should have its paw inspected for any swelling, cuts or lumps. If the paw is injured the animal will react to any the pressure on the foot. Paw injuries can become infected easily so the animal should be examined and treated by a veterinary surgeon as soon as possible before the injury becomes infected.
Knee / Ligament Injuries - Nine out of ten knee injuries in dogs come from ruptured anterior, or cranial, cruciate ligaments (ACLs). When the ACL is torn, the meniscus which is on the inside of the knee often is also damaged. An injury to the cruciate ligament is a serious orthopaedic injury that often results from slipping over, turning suddenly while running, car accidents and can also occur in obese animals where there is too much pressure on the knees. A dog has two cruciate ligaments in its knee: the anterior, or cranial, cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior, or caudal, cruciate ligament (PCL). When either of these ligaments is torn, the joint between the femur and tibia becomes unstable. The dog can develop arthritis in the joint due to the damaged meniscus if this injury is left untreated.
Dislocations - Dislocations are less common than fractures in dogs and usually result from traffic accidents or when the leg becomes trapped while the body is still moving. It is usually obvious by looking a the joint to access if the dog has suffered a dislocation, one leg may appear shorter than the other or the foot may be turned out. It is important to treat the injury as a fracture and consult a veterinary surgeon immediately for an accurate diagnosis.
Tendon Injuries - Injuries to tendons are not as common as ligament injuries but can be painful. Tendon tears or strains, referred to as Tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon) usually occur with excessive exercise particularly running or jumping.
Sprains and Strains / Muscle Injuries - Sprains and strains of the muscles are one of the most common canine leg injuries. The area becomes swollen and the animal is unable to move the muscular joint. This type of injury is often caused during icy, muddy or slippery conditions where the ligaments become stretched or torn due to the joint moving in a sharp, unnatural direction.
Bone Fractures - Fractures of the bones occur when there is excessive stress on the bone. There are several types of bone fractures, Compound fractures, Closed fractures, Epiphyseal fracture and a Greenstick fractures. A Closed Fractures is where the skin is unbroken. The bone in an open fracture is exposed and this type of fracture is very serious as infection can occur, the would as well as the bone needs treating. An Epiphyseal fracture occurs when the growth plate is fractured and a Greenstick fracture is a fracture in young growing dogs where the bone is cracked. If you suspect the dog has suffered from a fracture, it is vital that medical attention is sought immediately as fractures are extremely painful and require urgent treatment.
Dogs Symptoms and Canine Health - Symptoms of Dog Leg Injuries
Dog Leg Injuries symptoms may include the following: - Dog Leg Injuries symptoms - Limping
- Dog Leg Injuries symptoms - Change in Behaviour
- Dog Leg Injuries symptoms - Bleeding Wounds
- Dog Leg Injuries symptoms - Pain
- Dog Leg Injuries symptoms - Swelling
- Dog Leg Injuries symptoms - Lethargy
- Dog Leg Injuries symptoms - Pain when pressure is applied to leg
- Dog Leg Injuries symptoms - Inability to stand up
Treatment and Remedies - Canine Treatment of Dog Leg Injuries
The remedies and treatment of Dog Leg Injuries may include the treatment of dogs as follows: - Canine Leg Injuries treatment - The treatment for a leg injury is completely dependant on the type of injury sustained.
- Canine Leg Injuries treatment - A bleeding nail may be treated with antibiotic cream whereas damage to the cruciate ligament may require surgery.
- Canine Leg Injuries treatment - Dislocations will require the dog to be sedated while the injured joint is manoeuvred back into position and bone fractures may require surgery as well as the injured limb immobilised with a plaster cast to restrict movement until the bone has fused together.
- Canine Leg Injuries treatment - Leg injuries can range from mild to life threatening and it is essential that expert help from a veterinary surgeon is sought immediately to minimise suffering and to ensure a full recovery.
Dog Symptoms and Canine Health - Canine Insurance / Pet Health Insurance for Dog Leg Injuries
Pet Insurance for Dog Leg Injuries. Remember canine insurance / pet dogs health insurance for treatment of health and medical problems such as Dog Leg Injuries. Unexpected visits to the vet and veterinary treatments for your dogs and puppies due to illnesses such as Dog Leg Injuries can quickly add up so get quotes for canine health / pet insurance coverage for treatment due to accidents, treatment of illnesses, prescriptions, surgeries and possible hospitalization treatment for your dogs or puppy. Get the best deals for pet insurance from pet insurance comparison websites - make sure you get the best rates for canine health insurance to cover visits to the Vet for the diagnosis and treatment of unexpected ailments such as Dog Leg Injuries. Disclaimer - Dog Leg Injuries Section of Dogs Symptoms and Canine Health Website
The sole purpose of the Dog Leg Injuries section on the Dog Symptoms and Canine Health website is to act as a reference guide to provide useful information to the owners of dogs and puppies. This article on Dog Leg Injuries is not intended to be used to diagnose or treat sick dogs or as a substitute for obtaining professional veterinary advice. Please remember that if you are in any doubt about your Dog's Health, or problems associated with Dog Leg Injuries, please consult your Canine Veterinary Specialist immediately for professional treatment. Your vet will diagnose whether Dog Leg Injuries is the problem and prescribe appropriate medication and treatment. Treatment and Symptoms of Dog Leg Injuries
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