Dogs, due to their physical and movement particularities, are more likely to develop certain injuries throughout their lives. Read on to be aware of the most common canine injuries.

Dogs usually and should lead an active life. Movement helps them prevent obesity, sedentary lifestyle and depression. However, their physical activity and physiological particularities make our best friends end up developing certain canine injuries over time. The best way to help them is to be aware of these canine injuries and remain vigilant so that we can identify the first signs of pain or discomfort from our pets. Read on to get all the information about canine injuries you may need.

Lesiones caninas más habituales

Most common canine injuries

Although dogs have a tendency, due to the genetics of the breed to which they belong, to suffer more canine injuries than others, there are certain parts especially prone to accuse the damage of bad falls, bruises or the wear and tear of age.

Joint injuries

The joints of dogs are especially exposed to canine injuries. A bad fall when jumping or trauma (caused by hitting an obstacle, playing with another dog or for more serious issues, such as a hit-and-run) can cause different canine injuries. Examples include bone dislocations or breaks. Special mention deserves canine hip injuries. The hips of dogs suffer especially with all these traumatisms. But, in addition, age seriously wears down the hips of dogs, which can cause very painful herniated discs . Indications of these types of injuries are mobility problems and signs of pain when moving.

Muscle injuries

These canine injuries occur especially when you go from less to greater physical activity. It is one of the so-called “spring canine lesions“. This is because dogs are usually more inactive during the winter months, due to bad weather and cold, which do not invite to maintain the same rhythm of outings and physical activity. With the arrival of good weather, many dogs happily resume their activity. However, his muscles, tendons and ligaments have gone through a time of inactivity that has resented his endurance. This can lead to soft tissue trauma, as well as cervical and neck pain. Some signs of these canine injuries are stiffness and lameness.

Nail injuries

Dogs use their nails to try to dig, scratch surfaces and play with other dogs. Given their curious and exploratory nature, many dogs, especially puppies, try to dig into hard surfaces, such as cement, and end up fracturing their nails. Especially if they have not been cut regularly and are too long. These canine lesions are very painful. If you notice that your dog is limping, bleeding or licking his paws excessively, he may be suffering from these canine injuries.

You can’t stop your dog from getting injured. What you can do is be informed of the canine injuries you may suffer and be aware of the signs of pain. If you think your dog may be suffering from one of these canine injuries, take him to the vet as soon as possible. He will be able to advise you on the ailment and start the treatment so that your best friend is healthy and happy again.

Ayudas para perros con artrosis

Herniated disc in dogs is a painful disease. Many owners want to help their pets, but they don’t know how. Is this your case? Read on and find out how to help your dog with his herniated disc.

If you have a dog with many years of life or of certain specific breeds (such as beagles or poodles), your pet may have suffered a herniated disc in dogs or is at risk of suffering from it. This disease is painful and can cause problems in mobility, paralysis in certain areas of your body, lack of control of the bladder …

Many dog owners suffer from seeing their best friends in that position, but they don’t know how to help them. In this article we want to give you some tips to make the recovery of herniated disc in dogs more bearable.

Hernia discal en perros: consejos para ayudar a tu mascota

Herniated Disc in Dogs: Tips to Help Your Dog

1. When in doubt, take your pet to the vet

Hernia in dogs can occur for several reasons. Sometimes they are degenerative herniated discs produced by age. And some dogs have a genetic tendency to contract them. But sometimes they are produced by activity. A jump or a bad fall can lead to a herniated disc in dogs. If you notice any kind of limping or pain in your dog, take him to the vet. Express your doubts and ask him to do a complete check-up on the dog. Prevention can prevent your dog from annoying and painful rehabilitation and even surgery.

2. Follow the program prescribed to your dog

Herniated discs in dogs have built-in rehabilitation that includes exercises and medication. This can be a nuisance to you as a dog owner, but remember. Your dog is a loyal friend and deserves the best. Follow the guidelines that the veterinarian prescribes you and you will see how your state of health improves. Some exercises you can do are treadmill rides, stimulation, application of heat to the affected area using an infrared lamp … The veterinarian is the expert, so you should ask him any questions about the treatment that may arise.

3. Complement the treatment with alternative methods

A word of warning: an alternative treatment is an adjunct to the therapy ordered by the veterinarian. In no case replace medication or rehabilitation exercises with an alternative therapy.

However, certain techniques have been shown to help relieve pets during their recovery from a herniated disc in dogs. Animal physiotherapy or electrotherapy can help accelerate the effects of veterinary therapy and make it less unpleasant for your dog.

4. Acquire specialized equipment

Some accessories, such as dog wheelchairs, thermal coats, special feeders or ramps to help you get on the sofa or car can make it easier to rehabilitate herniated discs in dogs.

Dogs are faithful creatures that are by our side when we need it most. Give him the same treatment. Help him when he faces the pains of the herniated disc in dogs and you will see how the joy of your pet returns to the home.

If your dog has mobility problems or injuries, have you considered acquiring a wheelchair for dogs? Below we tell you the 3 benefits of acquiring a wheelchair for dogs.

You may have ever seen dogs in wheelchairs and felt some grief. Pets look small and helpless in dog wheelchairs. Their mobility is no longer the same, they can not jump and run as before and you have to adapt the house so that the dog can move comfortably.

However, for the dog a wheelchair is not a punishment. Quite the contrary. Think of it this way: the dog wheelchair is a device that allows animals that can no longer move comfortably to overcome pain and physical impairments and live a life as full and happy as possible.

If you think your pet needs a wheelchair for dogs and you suffer at the thought of acquiring one, don’t worry anymore. Today we want to tell you the 3 benefits of wheelchairs for dogs. Improve your pet’s life today and enjoy many years of joy with it.

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@happysevilla with your self-adjusting dog wheelchair

The 3 Benefits of Acquiring a Dog Wheelchair

1. Avoid pain

Imagine that your dog has an injury to one of his hind legs that makes him limp. The dog wheelchair allows you to run again and enjoy walks and socialize with other dogs without pain. Also, since you will no longer strain the injured dog’s paw, it will speed up your recovery. Before you know it, your best friend will be back in top form pulling on the leash when you take him out for a ride.

2. Regain mobility

Some dogs, especially older ones or those with a genetic tendency, suffer from herniated discs in dogs. One of the symptoms is loss of mobility and paralysis of some parts of the dog. This prevents them from leading a healthy and happy life. Wheelchairs for dogs allow them to dodge this impediment and return to enjoy all the fun of walks and socializing with other dogs. As with humans, the dog wheelchair can make your pet regain its independence and avoid the obstacles of poor mobility.

3. They are adaptable

Dog wheelchairs can adapt to different sizes, your dog’s needs and almost all terrains. Your dog will not have to give up the beach or the mountain and will be able to continue carrying the same train of life as before the injury.

The wheelchair for dogs is a complement that they do not lock in metal bundles. On the contrary. It allows them to run again and lead healthy, full lives, away from the sedentary lifestyle and unhappiness they would have without them. Do not think twice and acquire for your dog a wheelchair with which he can return to play and be happy.

This is the story and story of Reyes Tejera, proud caretaker of Marcellin and client of Ortocanis, as we received it and in memory of this precious pug;

marcelino“Hello good afternoon. Here are a few lines of how we met you:

It was Halloween afternoon when I took Marcelino to the vet because his right eye suddenly looked very bad. Two months after struggling to save his eyeball and two operations later, it is decided to remove it with much disappointment for so much effort in vain; however, having only one eye was not the worst thing that 2014 was going to leave us: Marce had begun to limp. At first we blamed it on some blow or fall but when it seemed that it improved it began to limp more. A CT scan was the only solution. The result was two herniated discs and an adrenal cyst that prevented the sending of information from his brain to his left patuca. The options were various surgeries with very few guarantees or try it through physiotherapy. The joint decision was not to intervene and we quickly started with the physio sessions. At home we also worked daily but we needed something that could support him so he wouldn’t drag so much. The disability was already noticeable but we missed the walks outside our garden.

marcelino2
That’s how I came to you. “Wheelchair for dogs.” That’s what I put into Google. Your page appeared, I browsed the products and I sent you an email. Within minutes I received your call and two days later we had the child seat at home. I rode it as fast as I could because the excitement was huge. Marce looked at me as if she knew that those tubes contained something special. When I put it on, the first thing he did was throw a cart and looked at me again puzzled. It had just been two months since I turned 7 years old. It was April and spring was presented to us at the pace of a trot. In those principles the chair served to exercise the movement of his paws and also kept his body detached from the ground. Despite the exercises, the marcelino3Physiotherapy and medication had lost almost all mobility but with your chair we could take walks, run and play. Marcellin learned to take curves, to go backwards, to climb some step… He felt like a dog again. Or rather ‘perropersona’ as we always defined him. Finally with the loss of control of sphincters derived from the lack of nerve impulses, came the urine infections practically chained and on July 2 of this year he began his journey to the rainbow. It was a long and painful process, especially hard in its end but I will always have seen him run around until the last day with his Orthocanis chair. This is broadly their story. I don’t mean you to publish it. Use the data you want. I hadn’t talked about all this again and that’s why it’s been so long. Thank you from Marce and myself.”
-From Ortocanis: Thanks to you Reyes for writing to us.

silla de ruedas para perros

Increasingly, physiotherapy and rehabilitation are being established as one of the basic pillars in veterinary traumatology and neurology.

While good diagnosis and surgical or pharmacological treatment are critical, rehabilitation can really make all the difference.

The structures of the musculoskeletal system are closely related to each other. The inactivity or poor function of one severely affects the others.

Pelota-cacahuete RehabilitaciónLet’s take a frequent example: hip dysplasia. This is an incongruity of the hip joint, in which bone, cartilage, joint capsule, synovial fluid and ligaments are affected.

The moment the dog feels pain, it lowers its activity drastically. This causes a loss of muscle mass around the joint. As a result, the joint will be less “embraced” by the muscles, increasingly weak and with less force. Then the joint will be more unstable, causing more osteoarthritis (which in turn will increase the pain, which will further lower the activity of the animal). As you can see, it is a vicious circle from which it seems very difficult to escape. The key is to re-exercise those muscles. A possible solution is the use of a wheelchair: these support most of the weight of the animal, but allowing it to exercise the hind limbs. For very advanced cases in which the animal can no longer move the limbs, there is the option of electrotherapy, which will allow us to make passive movements of the muscles. There are even electrotherapy terminals for home use.

When our dog has a musculoskeletal or nervous problem, it is very important that we ask the veterinarian what is the appropriate activity at each stage of the disease.

Here we leave you with a video where the importance (and the wonderful consequences) of a gentle and constant rehabilitation is demonstrated:

Material para rehabilitación veterinaria

Dog boots are a great help both to prevent injuries and to help their healing.

Boots as prevention… in summer and winter

Herida en la pata del perroSpikes: in spring and summer. They are usually stuck between the fingers. Once they are nailed, due to their characteristic shape, they advance inland and can travel great distances and cause serious infections. In addition, stones, twigs, crystals,… all of this can injure your dog’s paws in the field.

zapatos-perro

Snow: Snow can lead to dermatitis and cracks in the pads. In dogs of small size even freezing of the final part of the paws). On sunny days, we should protect our dog’s pads as artificial pavements can be at very high temperatures.

Sport: intense exercise, especially on uneven terrain can wear down the pads of dogs, so it is recommended to protect them by using boots.

 

Boots as an aid in the treatment of wounds

Boots are a very good alternative to some bandages for injuries to the dog’s “feet”. They allow them to go more comfortable and, most importantly: they are easy to remove and put on, so we can see the status of the injury at any time and let it “breathe” from time to time.

Perro con veterinario

Boots as an aid to dogs with reduced mobility

Boots become indispensable in dogs with movement problems, either due to hip dysplasia, a rupture of the cruciate ligament or, simply, advanced osteoarthritis. They allow dogs to have a greater grip on the ground, improve a lot when walking, and avoid injuries due to a “slip”. Especially important inside the houses, where stoneware or parquet usually slip. An alternative to conventional boots are rubber boots, which protect from aggressive surfaces allowing the dog to maintain sensitivity in the pads while improving their adhesion on sliding surfaces.

Do you want to see how dogs “manage” with rubber boots?

Laura Perez

Orthocanis Veterinarian

Botas protectoras para perro

Ayudas ortopedicas para perros

New technical and orthopedic aids for dogs are used in a wide variety of cases. These increase the mobility of dogs by providing the necessary support to maintain daily activity. Dogs need to exercise to maintain their physical and emotional well-being. If a dog is unable to exercise, it can develop problems such as heart disease, obesity, bone alterations, muscle atrophy, and emotional problems such as aggression or anxiety.

Applicable cases

Technical aids can be used for sprains, muscle weakness, arthritis, hip dysplasia, post-operative rehabilitation, lameness, weakness or pain in the joints that end up generating a mobility problem. The technical aids should allow the dog to perform its daily activities, but they should also be comfortable and offer protection against irritations and ulcers on the dog’s skin so it is important that they are performed by specialists. We list the most frequent:

Knee

Protector de rodilla canina

Knee protectors are typically used after surgery for rehabilitation of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), patella dislocation, medial collateral ligament (MCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), or posterior cruciate ligaments (PCL). Knee pads provide support and stability, prevent muscle loss during the recovery period, and reduce the risk of further injury. Knee protectors are also often used in cases where surgery is not performed.

Tarsus and Carpus

Protector de tarsoSoporte para carpo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tarsal protectors are indicated in cases of osteoarthritis but also for post-surgical rehabilitation or injury to the Achilles tendon, nerve damage to the hind limb or foot and rehabilitation of the hock joint. They can also be used as long-term support in non-surgical conditions. A tarsus or hock protector stabilizes the bone of the back leg, as well as the muscles and tendons of the limb and knee. It works similarly to a knee brace in humans, allowing the dog to move without straining the joint. It also prevents the dog from re-injuring the affected joint or ligaments.

Elbows

Protector de codo canino

An elbow protector is used to support the elbow joint after surgery or to reduce pain from arthritis, degenerative joint diseases, or other similar conditions. It provides control in lateral movement while allowing for normal extension and flexion while treating and protecting hygromas and calluses.

 

Soporte de cadera caninoHip

A hip support holds and increases the temperature of the dog’s lower back and hip. Made of special neoprene, it surrounds the lower back, hip and upper leg and is fastened thanks to a Roman-type harness. Hip supports are commonly used for dogs with mild to moderate hip dysplasia and localized osteoarthritis.

Shoulders

Ortesis de codo canina

Medial shoulder instability (MSI) is one of the causes of lameness in the front legs. A special support would allow the shoulder to be supported, which would limit the extension, flexion and abduction, allowing the dog to support its weight. These aids can be used after surgery or as a non-surgical treatment but also preventively.

 

Glory was a stray dog that was beaten to the point of injury in such a way that its two front legs and one hind legs had to be amputated. Now he is living a second chance that will allow him to walk again.

This dog lives in Romania and a few months ago was brutally assaulted. A woman who had been caring for him took him to the vet and learned that three of his legs had to be amputated.

Vanessa Bamkin saw the photos of Glory online and decided to save the dog that is only 4 years old. Mrs Bamkin and her husband paid for Glory’s vaccinations and travelled to Romania to take the dog home to the UK.

Perro con 3 protesis

The Bamkins thought about giving Glory a more comfortable life and decided to raise funds through the internet. The surprise came when they managed to raise about 3,500 euros based on donations. This allowed them to acquire the three prostheses that Glory needed, being the first dog with triple prostheses on its legs in Europe.

Since Glory began using the prostheses, they have had to do tests to adjust them well.

“The case is not going to be to put three new legs on Glory and start running. This is a long-term project.” The canine physiotherapist commented. “Once she gets used to her new paws, she will have a second chance to live.”

Férulas caninas

 

The most common cause of femur fracture is a blow to the thigh bone area. Unless you have witnessed the accident firsthand, the first symptom or suspicion that the dog has broken its femur may be lameness. If the femur fracture is not repaired, the dog can have serious complications. Let’s explain how recognize and treat femur fracture in dogs.Femur y Tibia perro

  1. Dogs that suffer this injury may experience lameness in the injured paw or may become immobile because of the pain they are suffering.
  2. Take the dog to the vet and try to let them know of your arrival. Ask someone to help you get the dog into the car. This will prevent your dog from walking on the injured paw.
  3. The veterinarian will need to take x-rays to confirm if there is a fractured femur. It will also determine if you can give your pet painkillers to relieve the pains.
  4. He or she will likely recommend surgery to repair your femur fracture. Unlike other fractures, the femur stabilizes more successfully after surgery. This lesion cannot be stabilized with a splint or cast, so surgery should be seriously considered.
  5. Once back home the activity should be very limited. Reduce the walk when you take it out to relieve itself. Keep the area warm and prevent it from resting on hard or cold surfaces. This will aid in healing and prevent further damage.
  6. Colchón para perros en rehabilitaciónChoose a quiet place for the recupyour dog’s eration. Dogs in rehabilitation need a quiet place to heal. Let him rest in a good bed and hold his favorite toys. Encourage your pet to rest and remind visitors that the dog needs to rest.

 

Don’t try to stabilize the fractured femur at home. Some dog owners try to splint or plaster the limb at home. Always check with your veterinarian about the options available.

Arneses para perros con movilidad reducida

Since time immemorial, dogs have remained by our side for their amazing physical gifts such as speed, endurance and agility. With the passage of time, man was selecting those that were better accustomed to hunting and the defense of the home, such as show dogs and collectors. Today, what was once just a job, has become leisure, sports activities and jobs of great responsibility. Among the sports activities we could highlight the greyhound races, the sled dogs or the exhibition and agility tracks. Both working dogs and those of sport and leisure require excellent physical and mental training at all times throughout their lives. More than referring to a strict training, we refer to a lifestyle with great wear and tear throughout the body. Specifically, their joints receive blows or trauma constantly and wear out more quickly than the joints of our pets. These traumatisms usually cause joint inflammation that often goes unnoticed. Many of these sports animals do not usually show pain until the injuries worsen, producing more pain, and being complicated to treat them. The most affected joints are usually those of the front extremities: the shoulder, carpal or wrist and the interphalangeal joints.

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Among the most frequent joint pathologies we find muscle contractures, sprains and dislocations.

  • Contractures and muscle aches are one of the most common injuries and are usually caused by poor training. Trainers have to follow a series of steps to get dogs used to the new physical demands of their profession. Many trainers perform these exercises daily to work on strength, endurance and speed in a balanced and progressive way. It is advisable to warm up before exercise, stretch before and after and relax the muscles through massage or more specific techniques such as magnetotherapy.
  • Sprains are injuries to the ligaments from sudden movement or from exceeding the physiological limits of joint movement. They are usually accompanied by inflammation, hematoma and pain that prevents movement of the affected joint. In this case, the most affected joint is the wrist and interphalangeal. For example, sled and rescue dogs use the front legs to slow the weight of the body on descending slopes and to cling to the terrain on ascending slopes. This effort accompanied by the weight of their colleagues and the owner usually causes very serious sprains that are usually accompanied by wear of the digital pads and loss of the nail.
  • Dislocations are described as an abnormal displacement of the articular surfaces. Traumatic dislocations (from sudden blows or forced movements) usually occur from the rupture of a ligament or tendon of the most important muscle. This causes the bones not to fit as they should producing erosion, muscle atrophy and rupture of other ligaments. For example, when jumping from a considerable height, dogs fall on their front or back legs and can cause the tendon of the biceps muscle to rupture. This would cause the shoulder to disengage and the animal could not support or raise the arm.

The best treatment on these occasions is the prevention of injuries. Dominique Grandjean, director of the sport unit at L’Ecole Nationale Veterinaire d’Alfort and Colonel of the Paris Fire Sappers brigade, states that “A search and rescue dog must always be prepared. Like any athlete, he must train and return to training.” Once the injury appears, more than three weeks of rest are necessary, preventing them from doing their job. Many of them would be left with chronic sequelae, such as osteoarthritis, and with a very high probability of repeating the injury if it is not treated correctly. Physical therapists recommend a good daily workout to strengthen the muscles and stretch the tendons and ligaments well. As for rehabilitation, companies such as Ortocanis.com, offer us hip, elbow and carpal supports that in addition to applying a slight pressure to the joint and being able to choose different degrees of immobilization, keep the joint warm and improve performance. These technical aids made especially for dogs, allow a cure of quality injuries and considerably reduce the time of rehabilitation.

 

Diana Uribelarrea

UCE University of Valencia