The treatment that your vet prescribes will depend on the cause of the limping and can be as simple as a few days of rest and some anti-inflammatories, or it may require surgery and rehabilitation. Bandages, splints, and physical therapy may be needed and sometimes a supplement for joint health is prescribed.
If your dog has a sudden limp after exercise or an outing and the limping is mild, you may be able to simply monitor your dog over a day or two to see if the limp improves. If the limping does not improve or is in conjunction with other symptoms, it's best to consult your veterinarian.
If the limp doesn't start resolving itself, is getting worse, or is accompanied by whining or yelping, it's time to call your vet or visit your nearest emergency pet hospital. Your veterinarian has the training and knowledge needed to diagnose the cause and determine the severity of your pup's pain.
Treatment for Mild Cases of Dog Limping
In some cases, pain relief and rest may be all that is needed. Veterinarians often prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories for mild to moderate pain, such as: Carprofen. Deracoxib.
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 limping but not crying or showing other signs of pain should still be taken seriously. Dogs are tougher than you think, and just because your dog isn't howling in pain doesn't mean there isn't any pain. It would be best if you still got your dog to a vet for a check-up.
What Are the Treatment Costs for Your Limping Dog? When you go to the vet, you will typically pay the cost of the office visit ranging from $50 – $250, depending on your vet. X-rays, bloodwork, and other diagnostic costs could add at least a few hundred dollars to your total.
It's possible for the limp to go away on its own within a day if the injury is mild. On the other hand, if your dog can't use their leg or move around for more than a day, or if this happens chronically, we recommend scheduling a visit with your veterinarian.
Gently touch your dog's legs because you may feel some heat coming from the sore one and look at him when he is standing still as he may use the normal leg to lean on which would indicate the other side was painful. Can I walk my dog if it has a limp? You should rest your dog for at least two days if you notice a limp.
Look at the site of the limp for signs of bleeding, to help determine if the condition is from a bite, injury, or puncture. 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.
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.
In general, gradual onset limps in dogs are caused by an underlying, chronic or degenerative condition, such as osteoarthritis or dysplasia. Sudden onset limps, on the other hand, are usually caused by an injury or trauma. Just because your dog has a gradual limp does not mean you should put off making an appointment.
Assistance by state
Search via your address at Pet Help Finder. Visit the Banfield Foundation and choose your state under “State programs.” Best Friends Financial Aid for Pets and click on your state. Contact your local animal shelters to see what support they may be able to provide.
While it's possible that a dog limping with no pain could be a minor paw injury, such as a foreign object stuck or a broken toenail, your dog may have hurt any tendon, ligament, bone, or muscle in their leg or hip.
Some minor injuries can lead to limping without pain, such as a minor tear to their ACL, minor patella luxation, or minor sprains. Medically speaking, sprains harm the ligaments that connect bones. This can lead to joint damage if not properly taken care of.
Mild compression bandages can be used initially, depending on the affected muscle. Additional pain control may be required if the NSAID is not sufficient. Laser and ultrasound therapy may also be used to treat inflammation and enhance the healing process.
The most common signs that your dog has a cruciate ligament injury are the inability to walk or bear weight on a leg, significant pain while walking, and unusual sleeping positions. Swelling around the knee and loud clicking sounds are other key indicators of a torn ACL in dogs.
Signs of a Torn ACL in Dogs
Limping in the hind legs. Joint stiffness that is most noticeable when resting after physical activity. Difficulty jumping or rising from the floor. Sitting with one hind leg stuck out to the side.
Check for any unusual lumps or bulges in their leg, which can indicate a broken bone or a dislocation. You can also gently palpate your dog's leg. If you feel any places that are abnormally tender or seem to indicate a lack of continuity in the bone, these signs could also indicate a broken bone.
It's possible to receive services from either a vet's office or even a non-profit in the area. If your pet knows their vet's office and veterinarian, they may be more comfortable in their presence. Euthanasia at your vet's office will cost between $50 and $100. Typically, nonprofits will cost less.
In some cases, people report even more intense feelings. This may be because of the special type of relationship we feel with our pets. Often, it feels like a parent-child relationship, and is associated with unconditional love and acceptance, which we don't always get in our human relationships.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents including prescription medications such as Rimadyl, Metacam or Quellin may be used successfully in many cases.