Limping is one of the first signs most pet owners notice when their dogs suffer sprained legs. If your dog has suddenly started limping and you can't see any visible injuries on her leg, paw, or body, there's a good chance she may have sprained her leg while playing or running.
It could be just a sprain or strain and usually, they get better with time. If it was a back leg, he could have torn his ACL. Your vet would be able to check for this. Most muscle injuries take time to heal and for your dog to return to normal.
Strains vs.
Strains are among the most minor injuries that can cause your dog to limp. A dog can get a strain by pulling either a muscle or a tendon — the connective tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone. In contrast, a sprain is an injury to the ligament that connects two bones.
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.
Anything more than a mild sprain should be attended to by your trusted veterinarian as soon as possible. Moreover, if your dog has a leg sprain that lasts more than two days (or 48 hours), we recommend seeking professional help.
A sprain will cause your dog to favor the injured leg, just as a fracture would. However, in many cases a less severe sprain may permit a certain amount of weight bearing. Your dog may barely touch the toes of the injured limb to the ground when standing or walking.
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. The prognosis is good, though sporting or working dogs may not recover to the level of ability present before the injury.
Instead of attempting to self-diagnose your dogs injury, the only way to tell whether a dog has a sprain or a broken leg is to take the dog for a complete visual exam by a veterinarian. Your veterinarian can then determine if x-rays are needed.
Clinical signs of muscle tears include pain on palpation (examination by touch during a physical exam) of the injured area, lameness or limping, swelling of the muscle, and bruising.
Signs You Need to Head to the Emergency Veterinarian
If your dog shows any of the following symptoms while limping, it's time for an emergency room visit: Dragging one or more limbs on the ground. Sudden inability or unwillingness to move. Extreme lethargy.
A swollen paw. Redness or swollen joints. Reluctance to walk or play.
Causes of Soft Tissue Trauma in Dogs
Sprains, strains, and muscle damage are most often caused by trauma or injury. This can occur through traumatic incidents such as an automobile accident or a dog fight, or through a more mundane situation such as slipping on ice or attempting too ambitious a jump.
If the lameness is caused by a simple sprain or strain, then 48 hours of rest and restricted exercise may be enough to improve the situation drastically. Your dog may have a small cut on his pad which, if not bleeding or infected, may be fine to treat at home with some rest and a clean with saline solution.
Whatever the scenario, if a dog's limp hasn't resolved in a week or two, it's time for a veterinarian to figure out what is going on. A chronic limp is almost never an emergency, but you should make the appointment as soon as possible.
Most of the time, NSAIDs are safe, effective medications to help dogs with pain when given as prescribed. It's important to monitor your pet closely for side effects and signs of toxicity. Veterinary intervention is needed in an overdose situation or if your pet is not tolerating the medication well.
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.
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.
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.
Grade I sprains are minor and can heal within weeks. Grade II sprains improve with treatment. However, these injuries can take more time to heal, especially if your pet undergoes surgery. Recovery can extend from weeks to months if your dog has a Grade III sprain.