If the limp doesn't begin to resolve itself, is becoming worse, or is accompanied with whining or yelping, it's time to call your vet or visit your nearest emergency vet. Your veterinarian has the training and knowledge to best determine the cause and severity of your pup's pain.
Instead of attempting to self-diagnose your dogs injury, the only way to tell whether a dog has a sprain or a broken leg is to take the dog for a complete visual exam by a veterinarian. Your veterinarian can then determine if x-rays are needed.
Should I take my dog to the vet if they're limping? Take your dog to the vet's office immediately if they can't put any weight on their leg, show extreme pain (this could include crying out), have swelling or injury and are reluctant to move or eat. If your pup is still limping after a day, take them to the vet.
Contact your vet as soon as you can if you discover something painful. If you think your dog is limping because of inflammation, alternate between ice and heat packs to lower the level of swelling and discomfort. Call your veterinarian to ask them when you should be applying the packs.
Sometimes limping will go away on its own, especially if you provide some at-home support like a brace. Other times limping may be a sign of a more serious injury or condition that will require veterinary intervention.
Grade I sprains - Your vet will apply a splint on the affected area to restrict your pet's movement and recommend anti-inflammatory medicine. Grade II sprains - Your vet will splint the injured joint and prescribe medication. They may also recommend surgery to address more severe damage.
A simple rule of thumb to help determine the severity of the injury is that most dogs will not walk on a broken leg, torn ligament, or dislocated joint. A good exam requires two people: one to examine the leg and one to restrain the dog. Dogs that are in pain may bite, even people they love so be cautious.
A dog with a broken leg will hold its leg in midair, whine or cry, and resist your attempts to touch the damaged limb. The acute pain will not lessen until the fracture has been properly set by a veterinarian.
In general, the starting price for basic care is around $600, whereas the broken leg surgery for a dog cost can be as high as $2,000 or more. Of course, your dog's age, current health status, associated risk factors, and the urgency of the symptoms can all complicate things and potentially raise the price.
Clinical signs of muscle tears include pain on palpation (examination by touch during a physical exam) of the injured area, lameness or limping, swelling of the muscle, and bruising. The clinical signs may be difficult to detect if the tear is mild.
If your dog shows any of the following symptoms while limping, it's time for an emergency room visit: Dragging one or more limbs on the ground. Sudden inability or unwillingness to move. Extreme lethargy.
Check the pads of the feet and the webbing between toes for cuts and foreign objects. Inspect the joints and legs for discomfort, swelling and loss of range of motion. Sprains and strains are both common injuries for dogs. Warning signs for both include limping or a leg that is suddenly lame.
If your dog has sustained a fracture, it will normally be unable to bear weight or stand on the affected limb. Usually, a fracture is painful. There may be soft tissue swelling in the region of the fracture.
If left unchecked, a broken bone can improperly set. Therefore, it is important to go to all scheduled vet check-ups after a broken bone. The x-ray can ensure that healing is happening properly. RESTRICT ACTIVITY: The most common reason for delayed healing after a broken leg is excessive movement.
Your vet will explain how long the bone may take to heal, but generally canine fractures need a minimum of four weeks in young puppies and eight weeks in older animals to heal sufficiently and eventually return to normal.
While they will be lying down for an extended period, you may still want to provide them with some support that limits how much they can bend their sprained joint. That is when you would want to use a soft splint or wrap like the Walkin' Wrist Hugger or Walkin' Hock Hugger.
Talk to Your Vet About a Topical Cream
To reduce swelling, gently soak your dog's foot and leg in warm water containing plain Epsom salts. The water's motion will aid in promoting healing by enhancing circulation. After using a towel to gently dry it, apply some antibiotic ointment to the leg.
If your puppy is limping but still playing, this is probably a sign of a superficial injury. Superficial injuries can include: Cuts or scrapes from stepping on something sharp. Burns from stepping on the hot pavement.
What are the typical signs of pain in dogs? General behaviour: Shaking, flattened ears, low posture, aggression, grumpy temperament, panting or crying, excessive licking or scratching a specific area, reluctant to play, interact or exercise, lameness (limping), stiffness after rest, loss of appetite.
Broken bones, fractures, sprains, dislocations, ligament tears, joint trauma, and spinal injuries can all cause moderate to severe limping in dogs, and in some cases the dog may not be able to put weight on the affected leg at all.