Have you heard of weekend warrior syndrome in dogs? This condition may hit a little too close to home for some of us humans too, as it occurs when a usually sedentary pet engages in intense physical activity over the weekend, resulting in a sore and sorry doggo come Monday!
Here’s more about weekend warrior syndrome in dogs, including how to avoid it and when to seek a veterinary assessment for your little “party animal”!
What is weekend warrior syndrome?
Weekend warrior syndrome is the result of a pet suddenly engaging in intense exercise that they have not been conditioned to. This can lead to:
- significant muscle soreness, or in the worst-case scenario, symptoms of rhabdomyolysis, a condition where rapid muscle breakdown occurs, leading to overwhelming quantities of muscle cell contents entering the bloodstream and travelling to the kidneys, where they can cause severe damage
- muscle or ligament strains or tears, such as damage to the cruciate ligament in the knee
Additionally, it’s important to be aware that sudden intense activity in overweight pets, particularly in hot or humid weather, can put them at risk of developing breathing difficulties or heatstroke.
How can we help to prevent weekend warrior syndrome in dogs?
While it can be fun to let your dog “run free” and live their best life on a weekend, it’s important that we monitor them to ensure that they don’t excitedly overexert themselves, particularly if they haven’t been gradually conditioned to that activity or if it’s hot or humid weather.
Signs that your dog needs to stop and have a rest include:
- Heavy panting
- Excessive drooling
- Weakness or wobbliness
- Shaking legs
- Darker red gums or a bluish tongue
Confine your pet somewhere cool to rest for several hours, ensure they have free access to water, and monitor them closely.
When should a “weekend warrior” pet see a vet?
Your pet should see a vet urgently if they demonstrate symptoms such as:
- Sudden severe limb pain, lameness or stiffness
- Dark brownish coloured urine
- Difficulties breathing
- Weakness, collapse, or muscle tremors