Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Emergency care and treatment of dogs with nonspecific lameness
By Ramos, Meghan T et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2024·Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Retrospective evaluation and review of approaches for nonspecific lameness in dogs presented to an emergency service (2013-2014): 134 cases.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with unexplained limping was treated at an emergency veterinary clinic, where most cases did not have a clear diagnosis. In about 45% of the cases, the limp was thought to be due to a soft tissue injury. Dogs that received medication for pain were more likely to have their limping resolved, while those with joint injuries had a harder time recovering. The main treatments recommended were pain relief and limiting activity.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aimed to characterize and evaluate the emergency approach, diagnosis, management, treatment, and follow-up of nonspecific canine lameness cases. DESIGN: Retrospective case series from September 25, 2013 to September 25, 2014. SETTING: The study was conducted at an urban university teaching hospital. ANIMALS: A consecutive sample of dogs presenting to the emergency service with nonspecific lameness in the designated timeframe was used to identify 134 cases. Owners were contacted to participate in the follow-up survey; dogs that died prior to data collection were excluded from the survey. Medical records were reviewed for lameness localization, etiology of lameness, diagnostics obtained, medications prescribed, and owner recommendations. INTERVENTIONS: Based on review of the medical records, the lameness localization, presumptive source of lameness (joint, soft tissue, neurological, or bone), diagnostics obtained, medications prescribed, and owner recommendations were recorded. Survey data included duration of lameness, perceived response to treatment, and activity level. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Definitive diagnoses were not assigned in 88.8% of lameness cases. A presumptive diagnosis of soft tissue injury was assigned in 45.3% of cases. Single limb lameness was more prevalent than multiple limb lameness. Owners whose dogs were treated with medication were significantly more likely to report that the lameness resolved (P = 0.049). Dogs with injury localized to ≥1 of the joints were significantly less likely to have resolution of lameness (P = 0.037). Treatment recommendations were predominantly pain control and activity restriction. CONCLUSIONS: Nonspecific lameness represents approximately 4% of canine urban emergency cases. Highlighting the points of clinical care considerations in understanding the etiology of lameness in dogs represents an opportunity for improved patient care and growth in emergency referral and follow-up.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37987119/