Disease Ontology ID: DDTO:0001206

Disease Description: The complete displacement or separation of the shoulder bone from its joint is a shoulder luxation.

Inherit Mode: -

Disease Symptom: The most common signs of a luxation in your dog include: Your dog is suddenly limping or showing lameness ;He is hesitant to walk or jump; He shows pain when the joint is touched or moved ;Swelling or warmth in the joint; Your dog is continually licking at the joint; Reduction in appetite; Decrease in activity level

Disease Cause: Shoulder luxation can be a congenital condition, particularly in miniature breeds. This condition will cause shoulder lameness and can affect both sides, making walking very painful. Most often, shoulder luxation is the result of trauma, particularly car accidents. Most often, the cause of shoulder luxation is a medial one, affecting the function and mobility of the shoulder.

Disease Diagnose: Upon your veterinarian conducting a physical examination, it is important to mention any symptoms you have noticed in your dog and when you first noticed them. Your veterinarian will examine your dog’s shoulder region, keeping an eye out for whether your dog’s range of motion and ability to extend is limited. He will try and determine if your dog is experiencing any pain or discomfort and if he is able to return his shoulder to its normal position. If the luxation is chronic, your veterinarian will notice that the supraspinatus, infraspinatus and pectoral muscles have atrophied. If your dog has experienced trauma or has developed an injury as the result of recent intense activity, you will want to bring your dog to the veterinarian for an examination. Your veterinarian will conduct a full physical examination of your dog, and ask you for information regarding the traumatic event or activity that may have caused him to be injured. An x-ray will likely be taken and other tests your veterinarian may consider include computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Treat Method: It is important that the luxation be treated as soon as possible as that will lead to a better outcome in his recovery. Your veterinarian will consider a closed reduction, which is a procedure where the joint can be put back to its original place. Your dog will need general anesthesia and a bandage or support wrap will be used to hold his joint in its correct alignment while the joint capsule heals. In some cases, an open reduction is required; this is where surgery will take place to open the joint and replace the bones that have been dislocated.

Breeder Advice: -

Disease Description Source: Link