Common Joint Injuries For Sporting and Working Dogs

Sporting and working dogs are often prone to certain types of joint issues due to high-intensity activities:

1. Arthritis

   • Cause: Repeated or high-intensity activities over time increase joint wear, leading to cartilage degeneration.
   • Symptoms: Joint stiffness, pain, and restricted movement, particularly worsening after rest or in the morning.

2. Ligament Tears

   • Cause: High-impact movements such as running, jumping, or turning sharply can damage cruciate ligaments and other knee ligaments.
   • Symptoms: Limping, pain, inability to bear weight on the affected leg, most commonly in the knee joint.

3. Hip Dysplasia

   • Cause: High-intensity exercise can exacerbate hip wear, especially in dogs with congenital structural issues.
   • Symptoms: Unsteady gait, weakness in the hind limbs, noticeable hip sway, sometimes with a hopping gait.

4. Elbow Dysplasia

   • Cause: High-impact activities can affect the elbow joints in young or large dogs, potentially causing joint deformities.
   • Symptoms: Limping on the front leg, elbow swelling, pain on extension, with severe cases showing a pronounced gait abnormality.

5. Shoulder Strain

   • Cause: Overuse of the shoulder joint and surrounding muscles, often in dogs with frequent turning and running demands.
   • Symptoms: Shoulder pain, reluctance to lift the front leg, or signs of weakness.

6. Foot Joint Injuries

   • Cause: Running on uneven surfaces or frequent jumping can injure the toes or wrist joints.
   • Symptoms: Paw pain, swelling, with the dog avoiding ground contact or exhibiting altered gait.

7. Spinal Issues

   • Cause: Dogs with high-load or frequent jumping activities may experience disc herniation or spinal misalignment.
   • Symptoms: Stiff back, unsteady gait, and sometimes numbness or limited movement in the limbs.

Prevention and Support

Owners of sporting and working dogs can help prevent and manage these issues with appropriate training, adjusted activity levels, and the use of braces and supports. Selecting suitable braces can be highly beneficial for recovery, joint protection, and ongoing support. Regular veterinary check-ups are also essential to detect potential joint problems early and intervene as needed.