4 Tips on Compensatory Injuries in Dogs

On today’s episode of the Buzby Dog Podcast, we’re going to look at an interesting phenomenon called compensatory injury in dogs, and consider how to avoid it. In today’s episode, I cover how I was talked into leaping off a 32-foot cliff at Slide Rock State Park in Arizona into a pool of murky water which resulted in an injury that gave me a new appreciation for compensatory injuries.

Pain is “multisynaptic”. This means there are many highways running to the brain which all carry the sensation of pain. It’s actually one of ways that acupuncture works. We stimulate the body at acupuncture points, which shuts the “gate” to other roads of pain from a sore joint, a sore back, a toothache, etc. Compensatory injury in dogs is a well-known phenomenon. For example, it is reported that once a dog ruptures a cruciate ligament in one knee (sadly, a common dog injury), he has about a 60% greater chance of doing the same in the other knee within about a year. It makes perfect sense. Think about all the extra work that the “good” knee has to do, while the dog shifts weight off of the “bad” knee. Often, like my foot, the body pays a price for that.

We cover 4 strategies to help you catch and manage compensatory injuries including: 1. Dogs are tough. Limping means pain. Diagnose early. 2. Visit the vet. Rest the dog. 3. Doggie rehab is a good thing. 4. Time and patience are virtues. Peel the onion. Remember, when it comes to compensatory injury in dogs, we don’t have the luxury of patients who speak English and post their antics on social media.

As long as your dog is moving in the right direction, be patient during your dog’s recovery process. However, don’t be shy about talking to your veterinarian about your questions or concerns at any point along the path. Rest assured, if you need to shed a few tears as the onion peels, we fully understand.