Andrew What to Do When You See Your Dog Limping
Seeing your dog limping can be very stressful as there are plenty of causes and none of them are good. It doesn’t matter if you see your dog with a limp front leg or a limp back leg. They can both be a sign of injury, strain, or other underlying medical issue. The most important thing is to stay calm and gather yourself before rushing in to examining your dog right away. Also, never give your dog any medication-human’s or dog’s-on your own unless clearly prescribed by your vet for this specific reason.
Dog Limping Quick Examination Tips
First, grab a flash light as you might need it to inspect your dog where it is hard to see. This is a must if your dog has full or partial black coat.
Consider putting on a muzzle whenever possible. Pain and fear can cause even the gentlest dog to growl, snap or bite in defense.
Approach your dog slowly from the side and try not to come in from the front. Use your happy voice to comfort your dog as if you are coming in for a normal petting. Observe your dog carefully as you move closer.
If your dog barks or growls at you and you do not feel confident then you should back off and contact your vet for professional advice. If your vet is not available and you do not have access to 24-hour pet emergency services then you should leave your dog be and contact your vet when they are available the next day. Your dog will find it’s safe place and hunker down for the night.
If your dog allows you to handle it then be very careful during your inspection. Avoid moving the limb and only do visual inspection with the flashlight. Look for foreign objects, blood, swelling or misshapen features. Look at the underside of the paw and explore the nails to see if anything is out of the ordinary. Remember that you do not need to know exactly what’s wrong with your dog, you are trying to find out if you can see the problem.
It Is Okay to Not Know Why Your Dog Is Limping
It is the vet’s job to find out exactly what is wrong with your dog, not you. You are only doing preliminary inspection to see where the cause is and if you can give your dog any immediate relief. Don’t get too worried if you cannot find the cause for the limp or its precise location. If your dog has limp back leg, it is usually caused by issues in the knee, thigh or injury caused by foreign objects. Observing your dog with a limp front leg is usually caused by issues with the bicep, elbow, wrist or external injuries as well.
In some cases, the injured dog will lose its ability to get into the car on its own. Knowing which limb or where the discomfort comes from can help you avoid those areas while moving your dog into your car. If you live alone and your dog is too big for you to move, don’t hesitate to ask your local emergency pet services for assistance.
If you do not have access to emergency pet services, and are unable to lift your dog; try to think of someone who is familiar with your dog and ask them for help. While no one would turn down a dog in need, you must be responsible and remind yourself that a dog in pain can lash out. Asking someone that already has a good relationship with your dog has to be the first choice, if that is not possible then you can move on to asking your neighbors or any one close by. Make sure all helping parties understand the risk before physically moving your dog.
Common Causes When a Dog Has Limp Back Leg
- CCL Rupture – This is a similar condition to a human’s ACL tear, and is located in the knee area. Typically caused by wear-and-tear or intense activity. Common symptom is refusal to put weight on the affected back leg and sitting down with the leg extended to the side.
- Degenerative Joint Disease – This is age-related and would be recurring in most cases. It is a wear-and-tear breakdown of cartilage in the joints that leads to bone-on-bone friction. Common symptom is stiffness after sleeping, especially in cold climate, this can ease up as the dog moves around and warms itself up. Reluctance or inability to jump upwards like on to furniture or up a flight of stairs is also possible.
- Foreign Body or Paw Pad Trauma – Fancy words for physical injuries by objects like cuts, thorns, or a torn toenail. This is usually accompanied by a sharp jolt and sudden limp. Lots of licking and chewing of the affected area soon follow. Refusal to put weight on the affected limb is also possible.
- Muscle or Soft Tissue Issues – These usually originate from the thigh or groin area. They are most likely to be tears of the muscle or tendon caused by accidents like slips, and overexertion. Symptoms are usually mild or moderate limps that are accompanied by discomfort while stretching the affected hind leg.
Common Causes for a Dog With a Limp Front Leg
- Bicep Tendonitis – Inflammation of the tendon in the bicep muscle. Usually caused by intense activities or impact from external sources. Common symptoms are sudden front leg limp during or after activity and discomfort while extending the shoulder.
- Osteoarthritis of the Wrist or Elbow – A degenerative joint disease from wear-and-tear that can also come from heavy exercise or past trauma. Since dogs supports about 60% of their body weight on their front legs, symptoms usually include reduced range of motion and head-bobbing where the head rises when the painful leg touches the ground.
- Injury to Paw, Nail or Foreign Body Trauma – Causes for this are the same as the ones for the hind legs mentioned earlier. In most cases, trauma from objects would occur more often on the front legs as they are the leading legs and are used to explore the environment. Symptoms include sudden jolts and yelps, accompanied by refusal to put weight on affected leg.
Post-Treatment Care for Dog Limping
Once your vet has diagnosed the cause of your dog’s limp and prescribed a treatment plan, it’s important to follow the instructions carefully. This may include rest, pain management, physical therapy, and medication. Regularly monitor your dog’s recovery progress and keep your vet informed of any changes in behavior. Also remember to show appreciation to anyone that helped you moved your dog if that was the case.
Conclusion
Seeing any dog limping can be an uncomfortable sight, especially if that dog is your own. Although, most injuries that cause limping can be managed. Whether your dog has limp back leg or is a dog with a limp front leg with a long medical history, knowing what to do and seeking appropriate treatment is crucial to a speedy recovery. By observing your dog’s behavior, limiting activity, and consulting your vet, you can help prevent the limp from getting worse or relieve the pain your dog may experience in its later stage of life.
References:
https://www.mspca.org/clinical/biceps-tenosynovitis-diagnosis-and-treatment/
https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/arthritis-in-dogs
https://www.vettimes.com/news/vets/small-animal-vets/carpal-hyperextension-injuries
https://vcacanada.com/know-your-pet/carpal-hyperextension-in-dogs
