Description
Lameness is a common occurrence in animals of all species. Essentially the animal is unable to walk or run properly because it cannot use a leg normally, and one or more limbs may be affected at the same time.

Cause

Lameness can be due to a wide variety of causes including:

Pain - e.g. trauma, infection, foreign body penetrations (e.g. glass), cancer

Restricted movement in joints - e.g. joint swelling, arthritis (degenerative joint disease)

Excessive movement in joints - e.g. torn ligaments, hip dysplasia

Biomechanical problems due to abnormal limb conformation eg angular limb deformity due to nutritional error, joint dislocations

Muscular disease - e.g. myositis (rare)

Nervous system disorders - e.g. disc protrusion compressing the spinal cord, peripheral nerve paralysis

Provet Links

Key features that help with the diagnosis of lameness

Performing an examination of a lame animal

Diagnostic aids in lameness

Treatment of lameness