MY DOG'S FRONT LEGS FAIL

Mobility problems can have many different origins and prognoses. Depending on the age of the animal and their background, it is possible to estimate this, but it is always imperative that a vet examines the animal that has mobility issues in the front legs.

The onset of these mobility issues can be abrupt, as they can happen after a stroke or progressively if we are talking about degenerative diseases.

Apart from how it appeared, we must consider what type of problem arises, if the animal cannot get up, if it is a slight limp, if it is worse after getting up, it will be very important to determine when it appeared, in what way and how it affects everyday life.

Some of the most usual reasons for these problems are:

Injury, it can be anything from a slight limp due to the pain of the impact or haematoma in later days, to a bone or ligament fracture, so after identifying a problem of mobility it is best to go to your vet as soon as possible to relieve the pain or remedy any possible fractures.

Infectious diseases, in puppies, unvaccinated animals or animals that have been parasitised for ticks it is much more likely, but can occur in vaccinated or dewormed animals. Distemper and Ehrlichia (transmitted by ticks) are the most common diseases that can occur with these symptoms, but they are not the only ones. The appearance of mobility issues may be associated with other symptoms such as tremors, apathy, fever, nasal discharge, among others.

Musculoskeletal issues, conditions such as osteoarthritis, calcification of ligaments, autoimmune diseases affecting the muscles and spinal conditions are some of the possible causes for loss of mobility in the forelegs, which will require traumatological examination and possibly associated tests such as X-ray, ultrasound, MRI or CT.

Metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. To reach a diagnosis of any disease that affects mobility, it is necessary to carry out many analyses and sometimes it is essential that the animal is admitted to hospital so that it can be kept stable until the appropriate treatment is given.

Tumors it is possible that the presence of tumours can cause mobility problems, which can be located in the brain, the spinal cord or in the extremities.

Neurological problems, diseases with damage to the nervous system such as the above-mentioned infectious diseases, degenerative diseases affecting the nerves such as degenerative myelopathy, problems in the brain (stroke, injuries or infections), damage to the spine or brachial plexus (the set of nerves that runs from the spinal cord to the extremities), poisoning (whether accidental or induced),

Any of these problems may be the reason why our little buddy is having trouble getting around or using their front legs normally. It is best to contact a good practitioner and follow the recommended treatment guidelines. Sometimes the prognosis is not as good as we would like it to be, but we must be optimistic and do our best to ensure that our little buddy's quality of life is the best we can offer.

María González Sola.
Co-founder of Refugio la vida color Frambuesa and responsible for the vet consults VeggieAnimals.