Sports Related Injuries Affect Pets, too
Nice weather brings people and their pets outdoors. Not only are people more active, but they also keep to a more rigorous exercise routine. For some that means including the family pet.
Just like with people, dogs can suffer from sports related injuries that could leave them on the disabled list. Typical sports-related injuries include:
- Minor muscle or joint sprains or strains
- Back muscle spasms
- Toenail injuries
- Tendon sprains or strains of the elbow, knee, ankle or wrist
- Tendon or ligament tears of the knees (the anterior cruciate ligament – ACL tear is the most common injury to the knee joint)
- Trauma to the hip joint capsule or round ligament of the hip
- Hip dislocation
- Kneecap dislocation
- Intervertebral disk bulging or herniation
All of these injuries can bring with them a host of secondary events including stress, chronic nerve pain and behavior changes.
As an owner, what should you do to reduce the potential threat of a sports-related injury to your pet?
- See your veterinarian for your pet’s annual physical
- Ask you veterinarian the ideal weight range for your pet and try to keep him within that range
- Discuss with your veterinarian the age appropriateness of certain activities (some pets may be too young or too old to safely participate)
- Discuss with your veterinarian the maximum activity allowable for a certain sport
- Talk with your veterinarian about having a first–aid kit available
- Observe your pet during and after the activity for any sudden behavioral changes
- Do not go from no activity to full activity – or vice versa - any time during the year
- Build up the activity for both you and your pet to avoid over exertion
- Do everything in moderation with your pet
- Plan ahead so you know what you will be expecting of your pet during the activity
- Keep cool water available
Article excerpt from Invisible Fence Brand Dogs’ Life Newsletter (vol. 6 no. 2). Author Dr. Peter H. Eeg, DVM, national veterinary consultant for Invisible Fence Brand.
