Diagnosing Arthritis, Limping and Pain in Pets That Are Sitting Still

Would you like to be able to tell if your pet has arthritis, bone, muscle or nerve problems? We’ve already discussed what to look for while your pet is moving—head bobbing, bunny hopping, hip hiking—and where the lameness problem occurs based on these signs—but we can also look at your pet while it’s sitting and diagnose some joint problems:

• Sits with legs off to one side—hip pain


• Can’t bend the knee or sit squarely—knee problems, especially with the ligaments within the knee called the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL.


• Leans onto one limb—protects the limb on the other side


• Can’t extend the elbow—either the elbow is out of joint (luxated) or the triceps muscles along the back of the arm are torn


• Holds front leg up and slightly out—the shoulder is dislocated (luxated)


• Holds rear leg up and slightly out—the hip is dislocated (luxated)

If you see any of these behaviors in your pet, ask your veterinarian to evaluate it for pain, arthritis, or nerve problems.