However, walking on an injured ACL without any means of supporting their leg can be dangerous for your dog. Putting extra weight and strain on any unsupported injury comes with risk of hurting your pup even more!
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.
Limit their movement and don't let them jump or run during recovery. A mellow game of tug of war using something soft, like a stuffed animal, can give them a bit of exercise without excessive movement. Once your pet gets through their initial recovery, resume daily walks, but keep the time and speed minimal.
If your dog is experiencing a minor leg sprain that doesn't require surgery, it can be treated at home. Keeping your pet generally inactive is the most important element of their recovery since it's best to use the healing period to avoid causing the injury to reoccur.
With minor limps, dogs still use the leg but just won't put all their weight on it. If your dog seems otherwise comfortable and not in pain, he may not need veterinary care. However, if the limping persists for more than 24 hours, you should call your vet.
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.
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.
The biggest challenge most pet parents face is convincing their active and energetic canine companions to take it easy for the roughly six weeks it takes for a sprain to heal. If it doesn't fully heal, there's a risk of re-injury.
When to Call the Vet If Your Dog Is Limping. In general, it is usually better to play it safe and call your veterinarian for a dog's limp that lasts more than a few minutes. But as with people, dogs seem to have a knack for getting hurt outside of normal office hours.
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.
Hairline fractures or dislocations are also possible complications. No matter how minor, any broken bone needs to be assessed and treated. A broken leg can heal on its own, to ensure it sets properly it must be treated by a medical professional.
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.
Dog's broken leg can heal on its own. But it can heal in the wrong position and cause more problems later on. If you suspect your dog has a broken leg you should seek veterinarian help right away. While you are waiting for a veterinarian appointment, you should restrain your dog from any activity.
Look at the leg
If the leg hasn't assumed an odd angle, your dog has either suffered a clean break, a minor fracture such as a cracked bone, or no fracture at all. If the main visible changes involve swelling and discoloration, suspect a sprain.
Things to look for when a muscle is pulled are muscle spasms, weakness, cramping, and immobility, as well as pain, bruising, and swelling.
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.
If your dog has sprained their leg, most usually recover with rest, pain medication, and ice. Some dogs have severe sprains and end up tearing a tendon or ligament. These will then need surgery to correct.
Massage for Pain Relief.
A massage can be very relaxing and soothing to a dog with inflamed joints and is thought to be a natural way to treat mild lameness. According to the Whole Dog Journal, use a natural arnica along with the massage for pain relief.
Minor Leg or Knee Injuries
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.
Most strains settle down within days, and affected dogs are often sound within a week or two. However, it may take a convalescent period to regain full strength.
Lameness may be constant or occasional, mild to moderate, or severe with the dog unwilling to bear weight at all. Many small dogs live with this condition with it never resulting in arthritis nor pain, nor interfering with the dog's life. However, in other cases, surgical treatment is necessary.
Whining and hiding are both signs of pain in dogs. Whining may occur when your dog stands, walks, or otherwise tries to use the leg that has suffered a sprain. Hiding may occur when your dog feels like she is in too much pain and is afraid because of it.
According to VCA Hospitals, other signs that your dog's leg might be broken include intense pain, swelling at the site of the fracture, and the leg lying at an awkward angle. If your dog is willing to walk, he won't put any weight on a leg that's broken, but will instead carry it above the ground.