50 Lameness – an introduction
Lameness is an abnormal gait caused by pain or mechanical dysfunction. The gait is predictably irregular (cf. ataxia). Proprioception pathways are not damaged so ataxia does not occur and proprioception testing is normal.
PRESENTING SIGNS
Lameness may be recognized by the following changes
1. Decreased weight-bearing (limping)
• Shifting body weight to relieve pressure on affected limb(s)
• head bob. The head jerks upwards as the affected forelimb strikes the ground in an effort to limit weight being transferred to the painful forelimb
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