Canine limping (hypermobility) is an overmovement of a joint caused by a weakness in connective tissue or ligaments. Not only older dogs can be affected. Even young quadrupeds often show a puncture.
Mostly the wrist {carpal joint) is affected, but also e.g. the ankle joint can be punctured. Often affected quadrupeds also show “flat feet”, that is, their toes are splayed.
For example, my Snowy suffered from hypermobile wrists. One consequence of this, by the way, was that it made her claws particularly bad in the front and we always had to take very good care that they did not become too long.
But how exactly does the puncture occur in dogs?
For this we take a closer look at the locomotor system of the dog. The passive musculoskeletal system consists of bones, joints and ligaments and forms the “framework” of the body. Muscles, fascia and tendons form the active musculoskeletal system and bring movement to the whole.
Ligaments have a crucial role in movement: on the one hand, they connect the joint-forming bones to each other and, on the other hand, they provide guidance in movement. They therefore stabilize the joint. Articular ligaments are usually located outside the joint capsule. In the case of the cruciate ligament, however, for example, they lie within the knee joint and prevent the knee from bending forward and backward. Ligaments consist of connective tissue structures and can neither contract nor loosen. If they are too weak, they cannot perform their stabilizing and guiding function in the joint. The joint is hypermobile and shows excessive mobility.
It can also affect young dogs
Many dogs develop a puncture during the growth phase. Frequently affected breeds are large breeds such as Molossians but also, for example, retrievers and German shepherds. In most young dogs, this patency grows back and is gone by the time the growth phase is complete.
Joint problems through
Another cause of a puncture can be that due to a constant overload of joints, a puncture develops. The joint structures are virtually “worn out”.
What to do if the young dog suffers from a puncture?
If you see your young dog developing hypermobility, definitely check the composition of the food. At the same time, it is also always important that the weight of your dog is optimal and that in growth dog sports are taboo. Excessive exercise should be avoided. Orthopedic technology now has bandages available that have a supportive function and give your dog’s joint more stability.
Support and prevention for sporting dogs
The bodies of sporting dogs are exposed to particularly strong stresses. Therefore, preventive support also makes sense here. At the same time, sporting dogs should also always make sure they have a sufficient warm up and cool down. We humans also support our joints during sports, wearing knee joint supports or wrist supports such as in tennis. Not only do they reduce the risk of injury, they also provide support and give stability during movements that put a lot of stress on the joints.
However, you should make sure that your four-legged friend moves without bandages outside of sports activities and during training.
Bandages also for older dogs and for injuries?
If your dog is suffering from a ligament injury or a puncture that he has developed with age, I definitely recommend supporting him with a bandage. It gives your senior dog support and more confidence in the hypermobile joint. In the case of an injured quadruped, the bandage provides external support and promotes healing.
How does the piercing occur in the old dog?
With age, many dogs lose muscle and connective tissue also weakens. This then leads to a pronounced joint piercing. If the quadruped then still has too much on the ribs, the hypermobility intensifies additionally.
In addition, no matter what age your four-legged friend is, it’s a good idea to provide him or her with supplements that nourish and support ligaments and connective tissue. This way you can delay the process and stabilize your dog. For example, Schuessler salts, MSM, glucosamine or collagen peptides are useful.
All the love, your Tina
Dog trampling Dog trampling Dog trampling Dog trampling
Dieser Beitrag ist auch verfügbar auf:
Français (French) 
Deutsch (German) 
Español (Spanish)
