Shoulder injuries in dogs can occur due to various reasons, including trauma, overuse, repetitive strain or an underlying health condition. Common shoulder injuries in dogs include strains, sprains, dislocations, fractures and tendon or ligament tears. These injuries can cause pain, lameness and limited range of motion in the affected shoulder.
Dog shoulder dislocation (luxation of the shoulder) happens when the upper bone in a dog’s front leg (just above the elbow) is knocked out of its normal position in relation to their shoulder blade. The shoulder joint can be partially out of place (subluxated) or completely out of place (luxated).