Joints are meant to move but sometimes they can get “stuck.” This is called vertebral subluxation complex or VSC.
What might cause my dog to have a vertebral subluxation complex (VSC)?
- Transporting
- Trauma
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- Age
- Activities/animal’s job (hunting, agility, Frisbee, showing, police dogs etc)
- Collar/harness
- Birthing process
- Environment (where animal sleeps, flooring etc)
- Surgery or history of surgery, anesthesia
What are some signs that my dog has a VSC?
- Animal sitting to one side
- Preferring to lay on one side
- Behavioral changes
- Tail laying more to one side
- Skin sensitivity
- Undefined lameness (after a veterinarian has assessed situation)
- Refusing to go up or down stairs
- Refusing to jump into the car/climbing
- Performance has decreased (i.e. in agility or competitions)
- Nails wearing unevenly
- Stiffness