lameness

noun

lame·​ness

of an animal

: an abnormality in gait or inability to use one or more limbs (as from injury or disease)

Stress fractures may be regarded as the most serious form of lameness [in racehorses] …

—P. K. Dyson et al., Equine Veterinary Journal

Improvement or even apparent disappearance of lameness can occur as the dog matures, but arthritis of the hip joints is usually present in the older dog with hip dysplasia.

—Cal Orey, Dog World