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What to Do When Your Dog Is Limping?

By Sarah Welsh
Published on 01/05/2024
Reviewed by Dr. Monica Sanders

Symptoms when the dog has strained itself

A wrong step is often enough to cause a strain in a dog. Alternatively, a dog may land awkwardly after a jump, leading to an injury in a tendon or muscle. This can happen to any dog, and pet owners may not observe the exact cause from the outside.

The dog suddenly limps in the front or rear, may not be putting weight on the limb, or might even hold its paw up in the air. In such cases, pet owners should attentively observe the situation and, if necessary, consult a veterinarian.

If the dog owner cannot find an obvious injury, or if there is a sudden and severe lameness in one leg, diagnosing the issue becomes more challenging. In such cases, consulting a veterinarian is essential.

How to recognize sprains or strains?

There are some indications that suggest an injury:

Expression of pain: The dog may display signs of pain, such as whining, howling, or teeth grinding.
Swelling or deformity: Swelling or an unusual shape in a particular area of the dog’s body may indicate an injury.
Reduced activity: A dog that is typically active might withdraw and become less energetic due to pain.
Loss of appetite: An injured dog may also lose its appetite and eat less or nothing at all.
Aggressive behavior: Pain can sometimes make a dog irritable or aggressive, especially when someone tries to touch the injured area.

First Aid: What can pet owners do?

If limping occurs suddenly, the dog owner can initially examine their dog and provide first aid. This examination should proceed from the bottom to the top. Various reasons for limping can often be recognized by the pet owners. Blunt injuries, such as bruising, open wounds, or foreign objects in the paw, are relatively apparent.

Pay attention to your dog’s warning and pain signals. If the animal is in pain, it is advisable to use a muzzle or a mouth restraint. Other conditions, such as tumors or chronic joint diseases, are usually diagnosed in a veterinary practice.

Tip: If the dog is timid, in significant pain, and unsure, it may snap. Therefore, owners should handle the situation carefully and not let strangers approach the dog, even if they intend to help.

In the following section, we provide an overview of various symptoms to help you better assess the situation.

Various Situations: Always After Getting Up or Suddenly?

When visiting a veterinary practice, the veterinarian needs as much information as possible. Therefore, it is worthwhile to be attentive from the beginning, even if you have not yet decided on a visit. The following questions are very helpful for the practice team in narrowing down the cause:

Is there a trigger for the problem:

Has the dog’s behavior changed?
Has anything happened that could be a trigger? Was there recently an accident, fall, or an incident with another dog?

Are certain movements and situations avoided:

On which leg is the dog limping? Does it alternate, or is it always the same leg?
Does the dog frequently lift a hind leg conspicuously close to its body?
Or does the dog often hold one leg in the air?
Does the dog tremble more on one leg?
Does the dog completely unload a leg while standing or even walking, or does it only load it on the tiptoe?
Does the dog no longer want to jump or climb stairs?

Is it a daily problem or does it occur in specific situations:

Does the dog walk more reserved or stiffer than usual?
Is the dog limping persistently or intermittently?
Does the dog have trouble getting up?
Do the problems worsen in damp and cold weather?
Does the limping improve over time? The dog limps worst after getting up and then gets better?

If a dog limps only slightly and shows no other abnormalities or pain reactions when touching the leg, it is advisable to provide rest for two to three days. This means no playing or frolicking, only short walks on a leash. Additionally, no stress and no visits from other dogs.

When should you go to the veterinarian?

If there is no improvement after two days of rest or if the gait worsens, the dog should be promptly presented to a veterinarian. However, if the dog shows severe pain when touched or walking, or if it is not putting weight on the leg at all, you should also visit your veterinary practice as soon as possible.

Injured Paws:

The affected leg can be examined for foreign objects such as thorns, awns, or insect stings, especially in the area between the paw pads. The claws should also be examined to see if, for example, the dewclaw has become too long and is painfully digging into the skin. An ingrown claw due to getting caught may also be a possibility. The paw pads themselves should be inspected for injuries such as cuts or abrasions.

Front or Rear Leg:

To provide the practice team with all the necessary information, you should precisely locate the injury. The joints on the leg can be gently palpated. Is one warmer than the others? Does the dog express pain when it is gently flexed? Is one swollen? If the dog shows clear signs of pain, it should be brought to the veterinary practice promptly.

Why is my dog limping on the front left leg?

Dogs do not necessarily limp more on the front left leg than on other legs. Limping or hobbling in a dog can be attributed to various causes, and the affected paw depends on the nature of the injury or problem. It could just as well occur on the front right, rear left, or rear right leg.

The reasons for limping can be diverse, including sprains, strains, injuries, foreign objects in the paws, arthritis, infections, and more. The affected paw often correlates with how the dog got injured or stressed.

Possible reasons why a dog is limping

When a dog is limping, there are many potential causes that should be examined by a veterinarian. Here is a brief overview of the most common reasons for an altered gait in dogs.

Severe injuries after a fall

If you and your dog are unlucky, he may have suffered a serious injury. This can include bone fractures, tendon or muscle tears, joint injuries, as well as nerve damage or irritation due to trauma. These result in immediate severe lameness and always require the attention of a veterinarian. One example of a relatively common injury is a torn cruciate ligament.

The problem with such severe injuries is that dogs often show little pain. Therefore, be attentive to changes in behavior. Many animals also tend to hide when they have severe pain. Such behavior should definitely be a warning sign for dog owners.

Minor injuries from jumping while playing

Much more often, the cause of limping is relatively harmless. Possibilities include foreign objects or insect stings, as well as mild strains or muscle soreness from overexertion. Sprains or dislocations are also possible, and a torn claw is also very painful and can change the dog’s gait.

A new activity can also be the trigger. Running alongside during a longer bike ride can be the reason for temporary lameness. In such cases, a short break is usually the solution. Dogs also need to train for new sports! Therefore, keep the initial bike rides short.

Genetically inherited conditions

As is common with dogs, there are some breeds that are unfortunately more susceptible to certain diseases. The commonly occurring hip dysplasia (HD) is particularly noteworthy. Breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, Boxers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and German Shepherds are often affected. In this case, the hip joint is not properly developed, leading to lameness and often early-onset arthritis in the hip. Obesity exacerbates the issue.

Growth Spurts in Puppies

Young dogs in the growth phase may experience limping, indicating a growth spurt. This is because growth spurts can cause discomfort. It is not necessarily required for limping to be continuous, as the pain can vary.

It could also be possible that an exuberant puppy might strain itself while playing. Puppies have a significantly higher risk of injuries and often deal with mild lameness. As long as there are no other symptoms, and your puppy resumes weight-bearing on the paw after one or two days, there is no cause for concern.

Curious puppies often explore their surroundings and could inadvertently have foreign objects like small stones or thorns stuck in their paws or paw pads, leading to lameness. Professional assistance may be needed to remove the foreign object.

Age-related conditions such as arthritis

On the other hand, older dogs often suffer from arthritis, causing them to limp intermittently. This is particularly noticeable in damp and cold weather and after periods of rest. General stiffness in old age also poses a challenge for dogs and can increase the risk of injuries.

The animals need some time to warm up to reduce initial joint pain. After a while, mobility improves.

Spondylosis is a ossification and stiffening of the spine that manifests in advanced age. Dogs with spondylosis can be supported through physiotherapy. Spondyloses are not curable, and during acute episodes, pain medication is administered.

To protect against high veterinary costs due to accidents and illnesses, we recommend a dog health insurance with an annual limit of $5,000.

What to do if the symptoms do not improve?

If rest does not bring significant improvement within two days or if the dog clearly experiences pain, a visit to the veterinarian is necessary.

Diagnosis at the veterinarian:

Here, a thorough analysis of the gait takes place. The following information should be communicated to the practice team:

When did the limping start?
Is it persistent or intermittent?
If only occasional: how long, and are there triggers?
Was there a cause like an accident or fall?
Are pre-existing conditions like hip dysplasia known?

The veterinarian will examine the dog carefully. Diagnosing lameness is often challenging and may take some time, requiring more in-depth examinations, such as X-rays or a computed tomography scan.

Treatment with pain medication and ointments

Often, continued rest for the affected leg is sufficient. Ointments or pain-relieving medications may also be prescribed. If it is a more severe injury, treatment is more successful the earlier it begins. Therefore, do not hesitate to schedule an appointment to clarify the causes.

Tip:

In some cases, after diagnosis, physiotherapy can be very helpful. This is also available for dogs. The veterinarian can surely make a recommendation and refer you to competent colleagues.

Shoulder Injuries as a Cause of Limping

Injuries to the shoulder can cause limping or lameness in dogs. Here are some possible shoulder injuries that can lead to this problem:

Shoulder Dislocation: Shoulder dislocation occurs when the shoulder joint is displaced or dislocated from its normal position. This can cause severe pain and limping.
Rotator Cuff Injury: Similar to humans, dogs can also suffer from rotator cuff injuries. These are muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder.
Tears or inflammations in the rotator cuff can cause pain and lameness.
Shoulder Ligament Tear: Injuries to the ligaments in the shoulder can lead to significant pain and limping.
Bursitis: Bursitis is inflammation of the bursae in the shoulder region. This inflammation can cause pain and limited movement of the shoulder joint.
Shoulder Fractures: Fractures or breaks in the shoulder area can also cause limping.
Arthritis: Chronic inflammation or arthritis in the shoulder can lead to pain and stiffness over time, resulting in lameness.
Tumors: Although rarer, malignant tumors or nodules in the shoulder region can cause pain and limping.

If your dog is limping or showing signs of pain in the shoulder, it is crucial to visit a veterinary practice immediately. A thorough examination will be conducted, possibly using X-rays or other imaging techniques, to determine the exact cause of the problem and recommend appropriate treatment. Treatment may vary from pain medication and physiotherapy to surgical interventions, depending on the nature and severity of the injury.