If your dog is limping, it’s time to head to the vet. A quick search on Google will turn up countless resources on how to help your dog with a leg injury, but we’re going to take a slightly different approach here and focus on some of the most common causes of limping in dogs.
Causes for limping in dogs
Strains or tears
Strains and tears are common causes of limping in dogs. Strains are injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments due to overstretching or overloading. Tearing is an injury where the tissue around a joint becomes weakened, allowing it to tear away from its normal shape.
Injury can occur when playing with your dog, running with him, or even playing catch with him. If you notice that one leg is visibly shorter than the other when you look down at them from above, this could indicate an injury that has occurred recently (within 24 hours).
Something painful stuck in their paw
The first thing to do is check your dog’s paw for foreign objects. Your vet can help you remove any objects that might be stuck in their paws, but if you cannot find anything, bring them to the vet.
If you find something stuck in their paws, carefully remove it with tweezers or pliers and clean out any debris beneath it (like dirt). If they’re bleeding from a cut or wound on their foot paw pads that need attention immediately—or if things are getting worse—apply pressure directly onto them until they stop bleeding by wrapping gauze around each pad individually before applying pressure again afterward
Insect bite or sting
If you see a bug bite or sting, try to identify the type of insect. For example, if your dog gets bitten by a brown spider and looks like a cross between a grasshopper and an inchworm, you should take him to the vet immediately.
If your dog has been stung by an insect (rare), you can help soothe his pain with cold compresses: apply ice cubes wrapped in plastic wrap for about 10 minutes until his discomfort subsides. If he’s still having difficulty moving around after all this time has passed—or if he appears severely ill due to the sting—call your vet immediately!
Trauma, such as broken bones
If you suspect your dog has a broken bone, it’s essential to take them to the vet immediately. If not treated properly, the injury could cause permanent damage and make your pet more susceptible to other severe injuries.
He fell down the stairs.
If your dog has fallen down the stairs, it’s important to assess his condition as soon as possible. One of the most common causes of a limp is a broken bone or joint injury. You can check for this by gently moving his limbs and looking for any swelling or signs of pain.
If there is no visible break in the skin, look for bleeding under his paws—if you see blood on your hand when you touch them, he might have suffered internal organ damage from blunt force trauma such as bruising or lacerations at high velocity (such as when falling down stairs).
If your dog has sustained head injuries due to striking hard surfaces such as walls or doors during this incident, then he may require emergency veterinary treatment immediately; if not treated properly, these injuries could lead to other complications later on down the road, including neurological disorders such as brain swelling which could lead up into paralysis over time if left untreated long enough without proper care over time.”
Vascular conditions
Vascular conditions, such as bleeding disorders and blood clotting problems, are caused by several factors. You may have one or more of these conditions yourself, or you may have a family member who does.
Vascular conditions can be caused by genetics; age; diet, and lifestyle choices like smoking; injury to the blood vessels themselves (arteriosclerosis); trauma to muscles and joints that cause damage to the vessels in those areas; pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia/eclampsia (a type of high blood pressure during pregnancy) which causes swelling around the heart or lungs which can make it difficult for dogs with large hearts like Boxers to breathe normally when they’re pregnant
Infectious diseases, such as Lyme
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread by ticks. It causes fever, lethargy, and joint pain. If you have Lyme disease, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to treat it.
If your dog has an infectious disease like Lyme disease or parvovirus, he may also be limping because of the inflammation caused by these infections in his joints and muscles.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a common condition that causes inflammation and breakdown of the cartilage in the joints—the cartilage cushions the bones in the joints, allowing them to move smoothly. When osteoarthritis occurs, it’s usually due to wear and tear on your bone structure over time.
Breeds at a higher risk for a leg injury
If you’re having trouble deciding what breed might be at risk for a leg injury, look at their legs. Breeds with short legs, such as dachshunds and corgis, are often more prone to joint problems than long legs. Greyhounds have another distinctive characteristic: they have vast chests that can interfere with breathing when running or jumping at high altitudes. Many Newfoundlands suffer from hip dysplasia—an inherited condition that causes their hips to misalign during growth (sometimes resulting in lameness).
How can I help my limping dog?
If your dog is limping, first make sure that it’s safe. That means keeping your pet away from stairs and other places where they could hurt themselves if they fell. Bring them immediately if the injury is severe enough to require immediate veterinary care!
If you’re treating a mild case of stiffness or soreness in an otherwise healthy dog (or cat), there are some things you can do at home to help him feel better:
- Try using an ice bath—this works exceptionally well if applied immediately after exercise or activity so that blood flow doesn’t increase pain levels. You can also add some Epsom salts into the water; these will help relax tense muscles while providing minor pain relief on their own.
- Go easy on any prescribed medications until after consulting with a doctor about whether or not they may be causing further complications instead of helping out with current issues; this includes anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin which might cause stomach ulcers if taken long-term without being monitored closely enough by professionals who understand what each medication does best under different circumstances like yours.
Inflammation Hip & Joint Support
When you want your dog to be active, but he’s in pain from hip, joint problems like arthritis, joint stiffness, or even old age, Kinpur dog Joint Support is for you!
This powerful blend of ingredients will help your dog live comfortably and happily through pain. It provides glucosamine, which supports mobility and activity; chondroitin sulfate and MSM support strength and elasticity of bones and joints; coconut oil helps reduce inflammation so that your dog has less pain and more energy to spend with you.
When to visit the vet
If your dog is limping, it’s essential to visit the vet. If they cannot put their foot down, they may have a fracture or severe injury. You should also take your dog to the vet if:
- They’re limping for more than a few hours (more than three or four days)
- They’re eating or drinking less than normal over time
- The skin around their leg appears red and swollen (this could indicate an infection)
Conclusion
We hope this article has answered your question about limping dogs. If you have any other questions, please leave a comment or contact us at pethelpful.com/contact! We would love to hear from you.
