When should I take my dog to the vet for limping

Dogs have 2 more legs than we do, but despite their numerical advantage, they still limp when they have a hurt leg or foot. Although most limps need veterinary attention, there are a few first aid measures you can perform at home if your dog begins to hobble around.

What causes lameness?

Lameness occurs due to the injury or debilitation of one or more parts of the leg – bones, muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, or skin. The cause of some limps is obvious. With a broken bone or dislocated joint, there may be swelling and the leg may lie at an awkward angle. Lameness due to interdigital pyoderma (skin infection) will present as red, moist lesions between the toes. Deeper infections like abscesses will appear as warm, soft, movable swellings under the skin. In cases involving joints, nerves, tendons, and ligaments, there may be no external sign of injury at all.

How serious is a limp?

Some limps are more serious than others, so the first step in providing first aid is to assess the limp. Watch your dog walk. Identify the limping leg (right or left, front or rear)? Does your dog carry the leg when walking, but balance on it when standing still? Does she walk on it but stumble a bit? Does she take shorter steps than normal? Does the leg never touch the ground?

The second step is to establish a time frame. When did you first notice the limp? Did it start suddenly or come on gradually?  Was trauma involved?  Is the lameness worse at certain times of the day, like early morning or after exercise?

Should I try to examine the leg?

If your dog is in severe pain, do not attempt to examine her. Even if she’s not in obvious discomfort, manipulating broken bones or dislocated joints can cause unnecessary pain and may worsen the injury. Here’s a simple guideline to help you determine the severity of the injury: Most dogs will not walk on a broken leg or dislocated joint.

A good exam requires two people: one to examine the leg and one to restrain the dog. Painful dogs bite, even people they love, so be cautious. If the exam becomes too painful, stop! The evaluation of most lame dogs is best left to a veterinarian, but here are a few pointers in case you decide to give it a try.

“Painful dogs bite, even people
they love, so be cautious.”

After you identify the hurt leg, it’s time to pinpoint where it hurts. Begin your exam with the toes. Look between the toes for foreign bodies (thorns, splinters, grass awns) or redness (interdigital pyoderma). Examine the pads for cuts or punctures and assess each toenail for breaks or nail bed infections. Apply gentle pressure to each toe and note painful areas. Most dogs will pull the leg back when you touch a sore spot.

Work your way up the limb identifying areas of tenderness by applying gentle pressure on each part of the leg. Note areas of swelling. Bend and flex joints. Resistance to bending a joint is a sign of pain. If something looks or feels unusual, compare it to the other leg. Then call your veterinarian with your observations.

What should I do for non-emergency limps?

1. If you note a foreign body between the toes and can reach it easily, remove it and clean the wound with anti-bacterial soap. Soak the foot in warm water with Epsom salts to relieve swelling. Then apply antibiotic ointment.
2. For cut or torn foot pads and broken nails, control the bleeding and treat as described in the articles First Aid for Torn Foot Pads and First Aid for Broken Nails.(please ID these and cite locations of articles)
3. If the dog has swelling associated with a sprain, bruise or tendonitis, apply ice packs to the area for 15 minutes twice daily. Flowing water improves circulation, reduces swelling, and promotes healing. Place your dog in a tub and swirl water around the leg, or spray the leg with a hose for 15 minutes twice daily.
4. For abscesses, apply warm compresses to the affected area or soak in warm Epsom salts bath. If the abscess ruptures, bring the dog to the veterinarian who will clean the wound and provide antibiotics.
5. Confine lame dogs and restrict their activity.

If lameness persists for more than 24 hours, seek veterinary care.

How do I transport a limping dog?

Transporting an injured dog can worsen injuries, so proceed with caution. Carry small dogs to the car while supporting the head and hips. Lay the dog down with the injured leg up. For larger dogs that can walk on 3 legs, gently help them into the vehicle. If the dog cannot walk, use a blanket as a sling to carry her. When you reach the emergency clinic, ask for assistance in getting your dog out of the vehicle.

How is lameness in dogs treated?

Medical advancements have improved the care available to lame dogs. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) relieve pain and inflammation in acute injuries and are used long term for dogs with chronic arthritis. There are also drugs that improve joint health and provide safe pain control.

“Medical advancements have
improved the care available to lame dogs.”

For traumatic fractures, there are surgical and non-surgical treatments. Some broken legs are splinted or casted while others are repaired surgically with pins and plates. Dislocated joints are replaced and stabilized with bandages or slings. Stubborn joints that dislocate frequently are managed surgically to provide long term relief.

In short, there are many options to help a limping dog. Your dog will have a better chance of healing if you provide first aid when appropriate and seek prompt veterinary care when needed.

Limping is a common symptom we see in dogs at our Lafayette veterinary hospital. In this blog post, our vets discuss the reasons why your dog may be limping, ways you can help them, and when it is time to visit a vet. 

Dogs are like people and can encounter many problems that can cause them to limp. Since they can't verbally tell us how much pain they are in or what happened to them, it is up to the pet parents to figure out what is causing the limp and how to help their loving pup. 

Causes For Limping In Dogs

Dogs can start limping for reasons from minor issues such as a thorn in their paw or a more serious problem. Some of the most common explanations for dog limping include:

• Strains or tears (ligaments, tendons, muscles)
• Something painful stuck in their paw
• Insect bite or sting
• Trauma, such as broken bones
• Vascular conditions
• Infectious diseases, such as Lyme
• Inflammatory condition
• Osteoarthritis

Breeds At A Higher Risk For Leg Injury 

Several breeds of dogs are at a higher risk of obtaining a leg injury than the others, often because of ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tears. The ACL ligament helps to stabilize your pooch's knee which might get torn when their tibia joint is partially flexed (excessively rotated). This situation can happen when your dog is taking part in activities like jumping or running and put too much pressure on its hind legs. Breeds at a higher risk of leg injury are:

• Bernard
• Newfoundland
• Bichon Frise
• Rottweiler
• Labrador Retriever
• German Shepherd

When To Visit The Vet

You do not have to see a vet every time you notice your dog is starting to limp however, there are times your dog must see a veterinarian at an animal hospital to get a comprehensive examination. If any of the following situations apply to your dog call your vet or go to the nearest open emergency veterinary clinic for assistance. 

• Limbs that feel hot to the touch
• Any moderate to severe swelling
• A broken limb (will be at an irregular angle)
• A dangling limb (this indicates dislocation)
• Limping in combination with a fever

How Can I Help My Limping Dog?

When you first see your dog limping immediately get them to rest ( the best way you can) to minimize their movement and prevent them from injuring themselves more. Also, press pause on your dog's exercise routines until they have fully healed, and keep them on a leash when taking them outside for potty breaks to stop them from running away.

Check your pup's paw for anything signaling an injury such as cuts. 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.

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.

It is recommended that you should take your dog to the vet to be safe and give both you and your dog a peaceful mind in knowing what is causing your dog's limp, even if you think it is not serious. If your dog starts to whimper or yelp and the limp doesn't get better by itself call your veterinarian immediately or go to the nearest emergency vet.

Your vet has the training and knowledge to diagnose what is causing your dog's pain and the severity of the injury. An exam to determine the source may include X-rays, blood work, or tick testing. The veterinarian will also take your pup's age, breed, history, and overall health into consideration when diagnosing your dog and creating a treatment plan.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

If you notice your dog is in pain and limping contact us now. Our Lafayette veterinarians are available to help dogs in need.