Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook.pdf - Mr. Walnuts

384 •DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
Veterinarians, dog breeders, and dog show judges use specific terms to
describe a dog ’ s overall composition and structure. Conformation is how the various
angles, shapes, and parts of the dog ’ s body conform to the breed standard.
Standards for purebred dogs describe the ideal conformation for each breed.
These standards are based, to a certain extent, upon aesthetic considerations,
but they also take into account the breed’s original purpose as a working dog.
Most breed standards provide some information on the desired angle or
slope of the bones of the shoulders, pelvis, and limbs. These angles are determined
using imaginary lines drawn horizontally and vertically through the
plane of the standing dog.
Another term used to judge the physical attributes of a dog is soundness.
When applied to the musculoskeletal system, it means that all the bones and
joints are in correct alignment and are functioning as intended. In particular,
in a dog with good skeletal conformation the alignment of the legs allows
equal distribution of weight, equal bone pressure, and equal strain on the supporting
ligaments when the dog is standing naturally or moving at a trot.
Limping or Lameness
Limping indicates a structural problem, pain, or weakness in the involved leg.
It is a common sign of bone and joint disease, but it also occurs with muscle
and nerve injuries.
DETERMINING THE CAUSE
Consider the history and circumstances surrounding the appearance of lameness.
Did the lameness appear spontaneously or was there an injury? Which