Other times, a dog may start limping and it sticks around or gets progressively worse. Sometimes a dog may limp for a few moments and then be fine. If you notice your dog limping, there are three questions you should ask yourself to determine whether it’s a potential emergency. Is Your Dog Limping On and Off or After Specific Activities? How to Tell Which Leg a Dog is Limping On This guide will break down everything you need to know about dog limping and what you can do to help your dog recover their mobility. Limping in dogs is never normal, but some of its associated health problems are more serious than others. It can be scary and concerning because it’s not easy to figure out what caused the limping in the first place. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.At some point, you’re likely to see your dog limping. Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. The veterinarian will also take your pup's age, breed, history, and overall health into consideration when diagnosing your dog and creating a treatment plan. An exam to determine the source may include X-rays, blood work, or tick testing. Your vet has the training and knowledge to diagnose what is causing your dog's pain and the severity of the injury. If your dog starts to whimper or yelp and the limp doesn't get better by itself call your veterinarian immediately or go to the nearest emergency vet. It is recommended that you should take your dog to the vet to be safe and give both you and your dog a peaceful mind in knowing what is causing your dog's limp, even if you think it is not serious. Often if the limping isn't serious you can watch your dog at home for between 24 & 48 hours to see if more symptoms occur or if the limp gets worse. Look at the site of the limp for signs of bleeding, to help determine if the condition is from a bite, injury, or puncture. Call your veterinarian to ask them when you should be applying the packs. If you think your dog is limping because of inflammation, alternate between ice and heat packs to lower the level of swelling and discomfort. Contact your vet as soon as you can if you discover something painful. Also, press pause on your dog's exercise routines until they have fully healed, and keep them on a leash when taking them outside for potty breaks to stop them from running away.Ĭheck your pup's paw for anything signaling an injury such as cuts. When you first see your dog limping immediately get them to rest ( the best way you can) to minimize their movement and prevent them from injuring themselves more. A dangling limb (this indicates dislocation).A broken limb (will be at an irregular angle).If any of the following situations apply to your dog call your vet or go to the nearest open emergency veterinary clinic for assistance. You do not have to see a vet every time you notice your dog is starting to limp however, there are times your dog must see a veterinarian at an animal hospital to get a comprehensive examination. Breeds at a higher risk of leg injury are: This situation can happen when your dog is taking part in activities like jumping or running and put too much pressure on its hind legs. The ACL ligament helps to stabilize your pooch's knee which might get torn when their tibia joint is partially flexed (excessively rotated). Several breeds of dogs are at a higher risk of obtaining a leg injury than the others, often because of ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tears. Strains or tears (ligaments, tendons, muscles).Some of the most common explanations for dog limping include: Causes For Limping In Dogsĭogs can start limping for reasons from minor issues such as a thorn in their paw or a more serious problem. Since they can't verbally tell us how much pain they are in or what happened to them, it is up to the pet parents to figure out what is causing the limp and how to help their loving pup. Dogs are like people and can encounter many problems that can cause them to limp.
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