About nicole damphouse Expertise I am not a veterinarian but I know a lot about dogs,hamsters,and a little bit about fishes.For dogs I know about feeding charts,sicknesses and illnesses,exercise,seizures and general dog care.For hamsters I know feeding charts,sicknesses and illnesses,exercise,when to clean the hutch,health care and different breeds.For fish I know from experience on feeding charts,and breeds.
Experience My experience is from my own pets and my parents who know alot about animals.
Question My 10 month old Rat Terrier, Cosmo, is limping around the house. Two days ago I was playing with him and all of a sudden, he started to yelp. He still jumps in the air and lands fine, but he still limps and raises his front paw (the one he hurt) in the air while sitting. The problem is, we don't have enough money to take him to the vet! What do you think I should do?
Answer Hi Devon!
Dogs and cats don't get knee injuries playing football or sprain their ankles tripping over toys, but their lives -- and limbs -- aren't exactly risk-free. They race through gardens, leap on trees, and sprint after rabbits. Which is why they sometimes come limping home as if they had a hard day at the mine.
Limping usually means that they have hurt one of their paws, says Grant Nisson, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in West River, Maryland. Pets that spend a lot of time outdoors will sometimes step on a thorn or pick up a splinter from a tree. Glass can also be a problem, especially for pets who spend time on beaches or city streets, he says.
Long toenails can be a limp ready to happen since dogs and cats sometimes snag them on carpets or other rough surfaces, causing painful tears. Even running on hard surfaces like sidewalks can cause nails to break or tear, which is why vets usually recommend cutting your pet's nails at least once a month.
If your cat is hobbling about on three legs and won't let you touch the fourth, there is a good chance that he has an abscess, an infected wound that can be excruciatingly painful, says John Fioramonti, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Towson, Maryland. While dogs occasionally get abscesses, they are much more common and, generally, much more painful in cats.
Dogs and cats aren't always the most graceful creatures, and sometimes they take painful tumbles. If your cat comes home with a limp, he may have slipped off a fence and landed on his rear (myths to the contrary, cats don't always land on their feet). In addition, dogs and cats often push their bodies harder than they were meant to go, pulling muscles or straining ligaments in the process. Dogs are particularly fond of running at full speed, then suddenly changing direction, which can tear the ligament in the knee, says Joanne Smith, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Edgewater, Maryland. Cats do plenty of swerving, too, but because they are more limber than dogs, they are less likely to damage their knees.
Finally, some limps are caused by broken bones, says Dr. Smith. It is usually easy to recognize a break because the area will be swollen and very tender, and the leg may not "fit" the way it is supposed to.
Not all limps are caused by injuries, however. Pets that have been bitten by ticks may develop Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, both of which can cause sore muscles and creaky, aching joints, says Dr. Nisson.
In addition, dogs under one year old may limp because of growing pains, says Dr. Fioramonti. In most cases, this is a minor (and short-lived) problem, which will clear up when your dog gets a little older.
See Your Vet If...
Your pet won't let you touch his paw
The leg is swollen and in an odd position
There is a bad odor around the paw
He had ticks before the limping began
Your pet has begun having trouble walking, getting up, or climbing stairs
One or more legs is dragging
He has a limp that doesn't go away
One or more legs is in an awkward position
There is swelling in the toes, feet, or legs
Your pet can't get up
Your pet is constantly licking or biting his feet
The nails are broken, cracked, or bleeding
There are cuts, blisters, growths, or burns on his paw pads
Your pet is lame first in one leg and then another
He has pain when jumping off a bed or changing position
Before you can help your pet feel better, you have to figure out what is making him limp. Here are a few easy-to-follow guidelines: If you let him outside and he came back limping, he probably did something to injure himself. If, on the other hand, he was fine when he went to sleep, but woke up as creaky as an old war hero, he may have a more serious underlying problem.
If your pet simply has a cut pad, all you have to do is clean the area well. Most cuts aren't a problem since they are usually shallow and will heal quite quickly, says John Daugherty, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Poland, Ohio.
To clean the foot thoroughly, soak it in a mixture of Betadine Solution and warm water. (Add the Betadine to the water until it is the color of weak tea.) Soak the foot for 10 minutes, three times a day, and repeat for about four days, says Dr. Nisson.
If the area is already infected -- signs of infection include pus, swelling, or a bad smell -- call your vet since your pet will probably need antibiotics, Dr. Nisson says. The same is true if there has been a deep puncture wound, such as from a long thorn, since these often get infected. In the meantime, you can make him more comfortable by holding a damp, warm cloth against the infected area for about 10 minutes. This will help the infection drain.
If you can't see anything wrong, and your pet doesn't seem to be in a lot of pain, he is probably just bruised and needs a day or two to recover. To reduce swelling, put ice cubes in a plastic bag wrapped in a towel and hold it against the sore spot for about 10 minutes. Repeat this three to four times during the first 24 hours. On the second day, put the ice away and apply a warm compress for 5 to 10 minutes several times a day, which will provide quick relief, says Dr. Nisson.
Aspirin is another way to provide quick relief -- but only for dogs since aspirin can be dangerous for cats, Dr. Nisson says. When your dog is limping, he recommends giving him a buffered or coated aspirin (like Ascriptin). The usual dose is 10 milligrams for every pound of dog, given once or twice a day, but be sure to check with your vet before giving your dog any medications.
There isn't much that you can do if you suspect a bone is broken -- except, of course, to get your pet to the vet right away, says Joanne Hibbs, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Powell, Tennessee. To prevent your pet from causing further injury, it is important to keep him as still as possible. Dr. Hibbs recommends keeping your pet in a crate or on a leash until you are able to get him to the vet. In some cases, you may need to splint the leg as well.
Even though you can't treat Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever at home, there are ways to prevent your pet from getting sick in the first place. Since both diseases are caused by ticks, take a flea comb or a comb with closely spaced teeth and go through your pet's coat every day to remove ticks before they have a chance to latch on. Doing these daily tick patrols can vastly reduce the chances that he will get infected, says Dr. Fioramonti.
If your dog has growing pains, giving aspirin can be a big help. You can also try switching from a puppy food to a food for adults, Dr. Fioramonti suggests. Adult dog foods have less fat and protein, and appear to sometimes be helpful in reducing growing pains.
When limping doesn't go away or you suspect that the problem is too serious for you to handle at home, you will want to get in to see your vet right away. Don't be surprised if your vet, after giving your pet a thorough exam, walks to the end of the hall and watches as you and your pet stroll around. This will help her figure out what the problem is.
If your vet can't see the problem right away or if your pet appears to have a broken bone, your vet will probably take x-rays to show what is going on inside. She may also use a needle to take fluid from a joint. The fluid can then be analyzed to see if there is an infection or other serious problem happening inside.
Conditions such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever are somewhat difficult to diagnose -- blood tests are usually needed -- but they are very easy to treat. Once your pet is given antibiotics, he will probably start feeling like his old self within a day or two.
If there is an abscess, your vet will drain the fluid and clean the area thoroughly. Because abscesses can be very painful, she may have to use a local or general anesthetic to get the job done. In addition, she will probably prescribe oral antibiotics to tackle the infection from the inside out.
Broken bones, of course, will have to be repaired, and your pet will probably come home wearing a cast. Everyone in the neighborhood will have time to sign it since he will be wearing it for about six weeks.
Some dogs with knee injuries are fortunate enough to recover after a few weeks of rest. If your dog severely damaged a ligament or the cartilage, however, he will need surgery to get the leg back into working order, says Dr. Nisson.
few common causes of leg, hip, and paw conditions are allergies, arthritis, cruciate ligament injuries, hip dysplasia, immune system problems, lick granuloma and luxating patella. Learn more about these common conditions now.
Allergies
Pets suffer from allergies when their immune systems respond to common things like pollen or food in the same way that they respond to aggressive viruses or bacteria -- by attacking.
People with allergies often have runny noses or digestive complaints, while pets tend to itch. The itching can affect the whole body, although certain kinds of allergies -- especially allergies to food and pollen -- tend to affect the paws. To get relief, dogs and cats will lick or bite their paws, sometimes for hours at a time. Eventually, the paws may become wet, red, and swollen. In severe cases, they will even develop painful sores that take a long time to heal.
There isn't a cure for allergies, but they can be controlled. The obvious solution, of course, is to help your pet avoid whatever it is that is making him itch. In the case of food allergies, for example, switching foods will resolve the problem. But it is almost impossible to avoid other common allergens, like pollen or house dust. That is why your vet will probably recommend ways to ease the symptoms, such as using cool soaks for itchy feet or giving your pet antihistamines. (Your vet will recommend a brand of antihistamines and dose that's right for your pet.)
When allergies are severe, your vet may recommend giving your pet a brief course of medications such as steroids, which suppress the immune system. Or he may advise that your pet undergo a series of shots that will make him less sensitive in the future.
Arthritis
Meaning "inflammation of a joint," arthritis is among the most common causes of pain in dogs and cats. There are many types of arthritis, but the kind that usually affects pets is osteoarthritis, or "wear-and-tear" arthritis.
Osteoarthritis occurs when soft cartilage inside a joint becomes inflamed, usually as a result of years of normal daily motion. The inflammation gradually damages bones in the joint, causing them to form ridges, grooves, or even bits of new bone called spurs. The spurs interfere with the joint's normal movements, causing pain and even more inflammation.
Other kinds of arthritis can be caused by infections or problems with the immune system, says Grant Nisson, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in West River, Maryland. Pets with Lyme disease, for example, can develop very painful arthritis. So can dogs and cats with lupus, a serious immune system disorder.
If caught early, some forms of arthritis, such as those caused by infections, can be cured entirely by treating the underlying problem. In most cases, however, the only solution is to treat the symptoms. Your veterinarian has several good choices for pain control that are safer and more effective than over-the-counter drugs. (These include prescription pain relievers as well as alternative therapies such as acupuncture.) In addition, he may recommend medications that increase lubrication in the joints as well as drugs that can speed the repair of damaged cartilage, making it stronger and more flexible.
Cruciate Ligament Injuries
The knees are held together by tough muscular straps called cruciate ligaments. These ligaments are extremely strong and resilient, but they aren't invincible. Sometimes they get torn, which causes pain and allows the knee joint to slide back and forth like a dresser drawer.
This type of injury is rare in cats but is fairly common in dogs, particularly when they are having a good time playing with other dogs. "He might run and turn wrong or get a hard blow to the knee, just like in football," says Joanne Hibbs, D.V.M., a veterinarian in private practice in Powell, Tennessee. If your dog comes home limping after fun and games or he is unable to put any weight on one of legs, he could have this type of injury.
Minor tears in the ligaments will often heal with rest and perhaps physical therapy. When the tear is severe, however, your dog may need surgery to repair it. Unfortunately, he is unlikely to have the relatively easy kind of surgery, called arthroscopic surgery, that is commonly used on humans. Knee surgery in pets usually requires a long surgical incision and a day or two in the hospital. After the surgery, however, the knees usually heal completely and quickly.
Hip Dysplasia
Many breeds of dogs have hip joints that don't fit together the way they should. This condition, called hip dysplasia, occurs when the ball of the hip doesn't smoothly match the opposing socket. As a result, the joint grinds and wobbles. Over time, this wobble causes wear and tear on the joint, eventually leading to painful arthritis that makes it difficult for pets to move.
Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease, meaning that it is passed from generation to generation. It is most common in large-breed dogs like German shepherds, golden retrievers, and Labrador retrievers. Cats can also get hip dysplasia, but because they are so small and light, they don't usually hurt because of it.
"Our main treatment for hip dysplasia is controlling pain because you can't cure the disease," says Dr. Hibbs. When the problem is severe, however, surgery may be needed to repair or even replace the hip. The procedure can be quite successful, she adds.
For young dogs that either have hip dysplasia or are likely to get it, vets recommend regular exercise because it tightens the joint by strengthening the surrounding muscles. In addition, vets sometimes give medications that increase the amount of lubricating fluid around the joint, which can help reduce the pain.
Immune System Problems
The immune system is your pet's first line of defense against a variety of health threats, from bacteria and viruses to cancer cells. But sometimes it starts turning its formidable powers inward. "The immune system can get confused and think that part of its own body is a foreign invader," says Alice Wolf, D.V.M., professor in the department of small animal medicine and surgery at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine in College Station. "The attack begins and the body, which is really an innocent bystander, gets blasted."
There are a number of immune system problems, called autoimmune disorders, that affect the legs, hips, and paws. Pets with autoimmune disorders such as pemphigus and lupus may develop thick, split, or sore paw pads. The nails may get flaky or brittle, and the nail bed can get infected. In addition, pets with these problems often feel sick generally. They may have skin problems as well as painful joints.
Treatment for autoimmune disorders is aimed at getting the body's natural defenses to stand down, says Dr. Wolf. Medications such as steroids, gold salts, tetracycline, or niacinamide will partially suppress the immune system, making it less likely to attack its owner, she explains.
Lick Granuloma
Dogs are a lot like people: Once they do something for long enough, it can be very hard for them to stop, even when the behavior is doing them harm.
People sometimes get in the habit of pulling their hair or smoking cigarettes. Dogs, on the other hand, may get in the habit of licking their feet. At first they do it for a good reason -- because they have allergies, for example, or flea bites that itch. But even when the original problem is gone, they can't stop the habit and may continue chewing and licking. They will do it for so long that the skin can develop painful sores called granulomas. Cats can develop compulsive behaviors of their own, but they rarely get this condition.
To prevent your dog from getting "addicted" to licking, it is important to act quickly and stop whatever is making him itch. This might mean using flea collars, for example, or keeping him indoors when pollen counts outside are highest. If your pet is already itchy, cool-water soaks can be very soothing. So can moisturizers and anti-itch creams, which you can get from your vet or pet supply stores.
Once pets have developed lick granulomas, it can be a challenge to get rid of the sores. Dabbing moisturizers on them may be helpful. If the sores are infected, applying a triple-antibiotic cream can help them heal. (Pets will often lick ointments off before they have a chance to work, so your vet may recommend oral medications.) In addition, your vet may advise that you give your dog fluoxetine (Prozac) or other mood-altering medications, which will make him calmer and more secure -- and less likely to lick himself excessively in the future.
Luxating Patella
A luxating patella is simply a kneecap that regularly pops out of place. The thighbone and shinbone, which meet to form the knee, have deep grooves that allow the kneecap to slide smoothly back and forth. If the grooves aren't formed properly or have been damaged, the kneecap may periodically jump off its tracks. When this happens, your pet won't walk smoothly but will actually skip a few steps.
This condition normally doesn't hurt and is usually more of an annoyance than an immediately serious problem. In the long run, however, it can cause bone damage that leads to arthritis. And in some cases, the kneecap won't slip back into place. That is when surgery may be required.
Luxating patellas are most common in certain small-dog breeds, such as Chihuahuas and poodles, and in some breeds of cats. Since it is an inherited condition, vets usually recommend that pets that have it not be used for breeding.
I hope this has been helpful and I wish you the best of luck!Please keep me posted and give Cosmo millions of kisses for me!Sending wagging talis your way!
Nicole
