Dogs can have pulled muscles just like humans, and it can be heartbreaking to watch your dog walk around with a limp. The muscles most often injured are those in a dog's front or hind legs and the most common symptom is a limp.
Muscle tears are treated immediately with rest, cold compresses, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. Mild compression bandages can be used initially, depending on the affected muscle. Additional pain control may be required if the NSAID is not sufficient.
Recovery of Muscle Tear in Dogs
Be prepared for a minimum recovery time frame of four to six weeks. The road to recovery for your pet must be a slow one.
Generally, most dogs will readily heal from a pulled muscle with treatment and exercise restriction.
After pulling a muscle, your dog needs time to rest and heal. Make a special area specifically for them so that they will feel comfortable enough to rest. Taking your dog out on slow walks should be okay (always ask your veterinarian first) but try to make sure your dog does not move around aggressively.
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.
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.
If your pet is limping but not showing any signs of pain, it is still worth contacting your vet for advice. Because dogs can't speak, it can sometimes be difficult to spot when they're in pain, whether it be as a result of injury or an underlying issue.
WILL A DOG'S BROKEN LEG HEAL ON ITS OWN? It is dangerous to allow a dog's broken leg to heal untreated or without the supervision of a veterinarian. While a broken bone does naturally heal on its own (through bone remodeling), that does not mean it will heal properly.
Soak the foot in warm water with Epsom salts to relieve swelling. Then apply antibiotic ointment, such as Polysporin. For cut or torn foot pads and broken nails, control the bleeding and treat as described in the handouts "First Aid for Torn or Injured Foot Pads in Dogs" and "First Aid for Broken Nails in Dogs".
A mild limp means your dog is still using the leg but not putting as much weight on it. If your dog has just developed a mild limp, but appears comfortable and healthy in all other ways, it's not unreasonable to encourage them to take it easy for a few days and see what happens.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In most cases, it is safe for a dog to walk calmly on an operated leg as soon as they feel able to do so, even just after surgery. This includes most dogs who have had cruciate ligament surgery or patellar luxation surgery. These dogs are also safe to stand with all four paws on the ground.
Many sprains and strains can be treated simply with rest and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as Rimadyl, Metacam, or Galliprant. If rest is recommended, it is important to keep your dog's activity level as low as possible. Leash walk only when taking them outside to eliminate.
Iliopsoas Muscle Strains In Dogs. Iliopsoas (pronounced: ilio-so-as) or hip flexor strains are common injuries both in professional (human) athletes and in dogs. The iliopsoas muscle is the major hip flexor muscle of the dog's body, bringing the knee up towards his abdomen.
If your dog is suddenly limping or not putting any weight on its leg, it is best to see your vet. Often, surgery is the only way to fix an ACL tear and this type of limping. Your veterinarian can suggest options to help decrease pain or discomfort up until your dog's surgery.