TL;DR: Intermittent skipping in dogs is often caused by a luxating patella, a condition where the kneecap slips out of place. While usually not an emergency, you should schedule a veterinary exam and provide a video of the behavior to prevent long-term joint damage.
What causes my dog to skip or 'bunny hop' while running?
Intermittent skipping, often described as a 'bunny hop' or a brief hitch in a dog's stride, typically occurs when a dog is trotting or running. This behavior is most frequently associated with a condition called Luxating Patella, where the kneecap temporarily slips out of its groove. The dog may kick the leg out behind them to 'reset' the kneecap before continuing to run as if nothing happened.
Is it an emergency if my dog is skipping or hitching their leg?
- Assess your dog's overall status; if they are acting normally, eating well, and putting weight on the leg, the urgency level is generally low.
- Avoid an immediate trip to the emergency clinic if your dog is not in distress.
- Schedule a non-emergency appointment with your primary veterinarian for a physical evaluation.
- Seek professional care to prevent long-term cartilage wear and reduce the risk of future cruciate ligament tears.
How does a video or photo of the behavior help with veterinary triage?
- Capture a clear video of your dog running and performing the 'skip,' as many dogs walk normally once they arrive at the clinic.
- Provide visual evidence that allows your veterinarian to observe the gait abnormality in real-time.
- Help the veterinary team identify exactly which leg is affected and determine the severity of the luxation.
- Facilitate a more accurate diagnosis and a more effective treatment plan through recorded observations.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Intermittent skipping while running in dogs can be attributed to several orthopedic and muscular conditions. Patellar luxation, particularly Grade II, can cause the patella to luxate during joint flexion and reposition during extension, resulting in a resolvable skipping lameness. Infraspinatus contracture, a fibrotic myopathy often secondary to trauma in working or hunting dogs, can initially present as acute lameness, progressing to a gait abnormality with adduction of the elbow, abduction of the foreleg, and external rotation of the carpus and paw, with the limb circumducted during each stride.
Chapter: Orthopedics
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1195)