Dog Is Limping: How to Help at Home and When to Take Your Pup to the Vet?
Its paw is gently raised in the air as your pooch jumps on its other three legs. Your puppy has its eyes fixated on the ground. The sad-faced pooch attempts to keep its balance, avoiding putting any pressure on that leg. It's crying. It's also walking slower than usual. Jumping into the car? Forget about it; too painful.
Sounds familiar?
A dog with a limp truly is a heartbreaking sight. So, how can you help your pooch? Does limping indicate that you should pay a visit to your vet, or is it nothing to worry about?
Today, we go over what might cause limping in dogs, when it's time to take your pup to the vet, and how you can help your limping dog while at home.
What Are the Common Causes of Dog Limping?
Vets make an essential distinction in dog limping depending on the severity and how long it lasts.
Sudden dog limping can be triggered by:
Cuts
Insect bites
Something stuck between their pads
Broken bones
Broken nails
You'll be able to pinpoint the specific event after which the pup started suddenly limping.
Gradual onset of dog limping that has been getting worse over time points at the development of:
Osteoarthritis
Dysplasia
Bone cancer
Make an appointment at the vet for limping that has been getting more visible and that lasts over two weeks. Some of the causes are treatable if you react on time or can be prevented with the right supplements for healthy joints.
Apipet Flexi
healthy joints and cartilage of the dog
Apipet Flexi
healthy joints and cartilage of the dog
How to Help a Dog With a Limp?
Start with a paw check.
Look for debris stuck between the pads, such as twigs, cuts, broken nails, blood, or signs of a sting. Remove any apparent culprits like twigs and soothe the paw pads with Apipet balm in case of frostbites, burns, or cuts.
Then check the limbs for swelling or any obvious signs of fractured legs. Call your vet to advise you on how to reduce swelling with ice packs.
Many dogs are vocal about their pain. Whimpering and crying will tell you it's time to go to a vet.
Pay attention to overall differences in your pup's behaviour as well — such as a suddenly aggressive, trembling, or fearful dog.
Moreover, limping that lasts more than a few minutes is a cause for concern — get in touch with your vet even if you haven't discovered anything after examining limbs and paws.
Prevent Further Injury
While at home, examine your pooch, and make sure to prevent further injury. Be gentle with your pup when examining his paws and legs at home. Limping can stem from a broken leg.
Leash your dog when going for a walk to prevent your excited pup from running around and putting more strain on the limbs.
This can be difficult for high-energy pups, but resting is essential. Contact your vet or take the dog to the pet clinic in case of severe or prolonged limping.
Should You See a Vet if Your Dog Is Limping?
Contact and visit a vet if a limping dog has the following:
Legs warm to the touch
Visible swelling (both mild and severe)
Dislodged, dragging, or fractured leg
Fever
Other significant signs that require a vet's attention are bleeding, vomiting, disorientation, and lethargy.
Depending on your dog's situation, the veterinarian will perform an orthopaedic and physical examination, x-ray, test your dog's blood, analyse joint fluid, etc.
Therapy and treatment are going to differ based on the diagnosis as well. For instance, some dogs might require surgery, a change of diet for weight management, or physical therapy. Others can recover with prescribed pain relief and a bit of rest.
Know This Before Taking a Limping Dog to a Vet
Before a vet visit, go over this cheat sheet to prepare:
How long has your dog been limping?
Has the dog's limp appeared out of the blue?
Is the dog limping on the back leg or front leg/paw?
When did your dog's limping start (can you identify a specific event)?
What type of treatment have you done at home?
Has your pup been behaving differently lately?
Vet visits can be stressful for you and your pooch, so it's advisable to prepare beforehand and have these answers ready.
Key Takeaways
Since our pups can't tell us themselves, it can be difficult to discern how much pain the limping dog is in and even how long they have been struggling.
Depending on your pooch's personality, they might conceal that they're in any pain at all or whimper at the slightest discomfort.
Start with examining the pup's paws to discover any blood, cuts, or things dislodged between its gentle paw pads.
Nothing found?
If you notice that the pup's leg is warm to the touch, in an irregular position, or accompanied by fever, it's necessary to visit a vet.
When in doubt, contact a vet or take your pup to the pet clinic.