Introduction

Mobility impairment affects the majority of aging dogs and cats. Younger animals may experience an insidious onset due to trauma, congenital malformation, or environmental conditions. Osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc disease, muscle strain, and related mus­culoskeletal disorders are generally chronic and variably treatable, but in all cases affect caretakers who are concerned about their pet's quality of life and chronic management. Caretakers expect their pets to be mobile, interactive, and pain-free when ambulating, and a deviation from this expectation can emotionally impact owners and influence treatment decisions. The ability to normalize or manage an animal's declined mobility is paramount to maintaining a pet's quality of life in addition to the well-being of the owner.