Preventing Pet Shoulder Injuries

Humans aren't the only ones who take advantage of summertime to enjoy the outdoors. Your pets can be great companions on your next hike or run, but it could lead to painful shoulder injuries.

Out where the terrain can be much more varied than Florida, the Veterinary Referral Center of Colorado reminds owners that just like your shoulder joint, pets shoulders also have bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles. And just like for their owners, pet shoulders can be one of the most challenging for veterinarians to work on and repair.

VRCC veterinarians say owners should keep these top 5 injury-causers in mind

1. Hiking on steep inclines--- Even a trail with a moderate percentage of incline and uneven surfaces is tough on your dog’s shoulder. It can cause muscle strain and sprains.

2. Vigorous and long running--- Just because you can run five miles doesn’t mean your dog can. During very vigorous or long duration running, the muscles can become very sensitive to “over doing it” and the muscle fibers get torn and stretched.

3. Obstacle courses/dog competitions--- Jumping competitions can cause shoulder instability, which is a common problem in dogs. The primary cause is chronic, repetitive activity or over use and these activities place a high stress on their shoulder joints.

4. Dogs riding in the back of pickups--- A fall from heights off the back of the flatbed or being thrown out of the vehicle can cause shoulder dislocations, fractures and twisting injuries.

5. Weekend Warrior Syndrome --- People do it all the time and it’s no different for pets. A pickup game of basketball resulting in a torn Achilles tendon or a back pulled out after a rare game of golf are what happen to people. Dogs are no different in that if they aren’t conditioned to a level of activity that their owner suddenly decides on doing, they can also be injured.

Here's what to look for that may indicate a shoulder injury:

-- lameness

--refusal to turn a specific direction

--shorter gait (smaller steps)

--inability to put shoulder in normal position

Seek medical attention for your pet if you see these signs.