Lameness

Canine lameness has many different causes.

• Injuries such as cuts, wounds, infections, and splinters to the pads of the feet can lead to lameness.
• Joint disease or arthritis cause lameness.
• Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (also known as Femoral Head Necrosis) is an inherited condition that affects small dogs.
• Spinal disease such as slipped discs or decay of the spinal cord discs can cause severe lameness.
• Osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer, causes persistent limps and much pain.
• Some ticks can cause weakness in dogs' hind limbs and, if left untreated, can eventually progress to paralysis of the front legs.

Medications for canine lameness include Rimadyl and piroxicam.