October 2006 Newsletter

Lone Mountain Animal Hospital
October 2006 Newsletter

Strut Your Mutt
Look for the LMAH booth at Strut Your Mutt. Pet lovers from across the Valley will join in on the 18th annual event at Dog Fancier's Park, 5800 E. Flamingo. The event will run this Saturday, November 4th from 10am-3pm. See you there!

Why Is My Dog Limping?
Have you ever wondered why all of a sudden your dog is limping.when he was perfectly fine just the night before? Some causes of limping can truly come on all of a sudden, while others are the result of a smoldering problem. An acute injury may result in strains and sprains, fractured bones, ruptured ligaments, and dislocations. Limping may also be due to a chronic problem such as hip or elbow dysplasia, osteoarthritis, or even a bone tumor. In addition to any obvious trauma, there are various factors that can contribute toward a pet's orthopedic problem and resulting lameness.

Overweight pets have a much higher risk of developing orthopedic injuries. Obese pets also have limited mobility and greater difficulty coping with existing arthritis or injury. Activity level of the pet can be related to some causes of limping. Inactive, out-of-shape dogs can damage their Anterior Cruciate Ligament in the knee when simply jumping off the couch. Also, dogs that are very athletic or engage in vigorous activity can also injure their knees.

Genetics can play a large role in what type of orthopedic problem might develop. Large breeds such as German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are well-know for the tendency to develop Hip Dysplasia. Toy breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas may display the on again/off again rear limb lameness that is seen with the kneecap disorder Patellar Luxation.

Other health conditions can increase the possibility of an orthopedic disorder. Hormonal problems such as Hypothyroidism or Cushing's Disease can cause muscle/ligament weakness and result in a greater chance for injury.

The most valuable advice is to keep your dog in healthy weight and provide daily exercise such as walking 60 minutes a day. Ask your veterinarian about common orthopedic problems in your dog's breed background. And have any limping problem investigated to determine the best treatment plan for your pet.

Pet of The Month
Congrats to "Boa" a large, loveable Rottweiler that has been honored as LMAH's November 2006 Pet of The Month. Visit our website (www.lmah.net) to read more about why "Boa" is a winner in our eyes.

Employee of the Month
Thank you to Mario McDowell our November employee of the month. Mario can be found providing that extra TLC for our boarding patients. Mario is definitely a Lone Mountain asset!