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.
Sometimes limping will go away on its own, especially if you provide some at-home support like a brace. Other times limping may be a sign of a more serious injury or condition that will require veterinary intervention.
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".
Examine your pup's foot for signs of injury, such as cuts. Contact your vet if you notice something painful. If you suspect your dog's limp is caused by inflammation, try alternating between heat and ice packs as a way to help reduce swelling and discomfort.
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. Rest means lead exercise only and short 5 -10 minute walks at a time.
Over the next few weeks, the limping should gradually improve, but if your dog is too active, the limp may temporarily worsen. Call your veterinarian if a postoperative limp is severe or doesn't start improving with a day or two of rest.
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.
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.
Paracetamol, while safe for humans, can be extremely toxic for your dog (particularly if the wrong dosage is given), and can result in serious liver damage or problems with their red blood cells.
Injury to the foot (such as wounds, lacerations or foreign bodies. Injuries or diseases of pads or nails. Primary bone diseases such as fractures, tumors and inflammatory conditions such as panosteitis. Joint diseases associated with degenerative conditions, inflamatory or infectious conditions or congenital diseases.
You need to get your dog into the veterinarian or veterinary emergency room immediately if your dog shows any of the following signs of an emergency: Dangling limb (dislocation) Swelling. Hot limb.
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.
What are the typical signs of pain in dogs? General behaviour: Shaking, flattened ears, low posture, aggression, grumpy temperament, panting or crying, excessive licking or scratching a specific area, reluctant to play, interact or exercise, lameness (limping), stiffness after rest, loss of appetite.
Dogs can limp for many reasons. Active or heavy pets can twist and strain things just like humans do. Any dog can jump or run and twist or turn a joint in a manner that causes temporary discomfort. Most injuries caused by such things are short-lived.
Your doctor will treat the underlying cause of your antalgic gait. A minor injury that leads to a limp will often heal on its own, and your limp will go away. Stay off your foot or leg and avoid any intense activities until it heals.
If limping is due to injury or pain, it can likely be treated with rest, ice, crutches, or physical therapy. If limping is due to a neurologic condition, it will likely require evaluation by a doctor to determine the cause and appropriate treatment or therapy.
You should never give your dog paracetamol unless under strict instructions by your veterinarian to do so.
Over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for humans, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, can be toxic to dogs. Giving your dog these medicines can cause side effects such as gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers, severe bleeding, and even kidney or liver failure.
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.
When you first notice that your dog is limping, if it isn't severe try to rest your pup as best you can. That means limiting their mobility to avoid causing further strain on the injury. Exercise should be limited to short on-leash walks for bathroom breaks until your pooch has healed.
A hurt dog may express their pain either through whining, whimpering, yelping, growling, and even howling.
Silent pain is often invisible to dog guardians
Playing with their friends, chasing the ball, running on the beach, even regular walking cause silent pain and tension to build up in the soft tissues of the body over time. Silent pain - soft tissue pain - is found especially in the fascia (connective tissues).
A dog with a broken leg will hold its leg in midair, whine or cry, and resist your attempts to touch the damaged limb. The acute pain will not lessen until the fracture has been properly set by a veterinarian.