Why did my dog start limping all of a sudden

Limping is a common symptom we see in dogs at our Lafayette veterinary hospital. In this blog post, our vets discuss the reasons why your dog may be limping, ways you can help them, and when it is time to visit a vet. 

Dogs are like people and can encounter many problems that can cause them to limp. Since they can't verbally tell us how much pain they are in or what happened to them, it is up to the pet parents to figure out what is causing the limp and how to help their loving pup. 

Causes For Limping In Dogs

Dogs can start limping for reasons from minor issues such as a thorn in their paw or a more serious problem. Some of the most common explanations for dog limping include:

• Strains or tears (ligaments, tendons, muscles)
• Something painful stuck in their paw
• Insect bite or sting
• Trauma, such as broken bones
• Vascular conditions
• Infectious diseases, such as Lyme
• Inflammatory condition
• Osteoarthritis

Breeds At A Higher Risk For Leg Injury 

Several breeds of dogs are at a higher risk of obtaining a leg injury than the others, often because of ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tears. The ACL ligament helps to stabilize your pooch's knee which might get torn when their tibia joint is partially flexed (excessively rotated). This situation can happen when your dog is taking part in activities like jumping or running and put too much pressure on its hind legs. Breeds at a higher risk of leg injury are:

• Bernard
• Newfoundland
• Bichon Frise
• Rottweiler
• Labrador Retriever
• German Shepherd

When To Visit The Vet

You do not have to see a vet every time you notice your dog is starting to limp however, there are times your dog must see a veterinarian at an animal hospital to get a comprehensive examination. If any of the following situations apply to your dog call your vet or go to the nearest open emergency veterinary clinic for assistance. 

• Limbs that feel hot to the touch
• Any moderate to severe swelling
• A broken limb (will be at an irregular angle)
• A dangling limb (this indicates dislocation)
• Limping in combination with a fever

How Can I Help My Limping Dog?

When you first see your dog limping immediately get them to rest ( the best way you can) to minimize their movement and prevent them from injuring themselves more. Also, press pause on your dog's exercise routines until they have fully healed, and keep them on a leash when taking them outside for potty breaks to stop them from running away.

Check your pup's paw for anything signaling an injury such as cuts. 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.

Look at the site of the limp for signs of bleeding, to help determine if the condition is from a bite, injury, or puncture.

Often if the limping isn't serious you can watch your dog at home for between 24 & 48 hours to see if more symptoms occur or if the limp gets worse.

It is recommended that you should take your dog to the vet to be safe and give both you and your dog a peaceful mind in knowing what is causing your dog's limp, even if you think it is not serious. If your dog starts to whimper or yelp and the limp doesn't get better by itself call your veterinarian immediately or go to the nearest emergency vet.

Your vet has the training and knowledge to diagnose what is causing your dog's pain and the severity of the injury. An exam to determine the source may include X-rays, blood work, or tick testing. The veterinarian will also take your pup's age, breed, history, and overall health into consideration when diagnosing your dog and creating a treatment plan.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

If you notice your dog is in pain and limping contact us now. Our Lafayette veterinarians are available to help dogs in need.

Did your dog just come inside from playing in the yard and is now limping? Or maybe, your dog woke up limping a longer than usual nap and doesn’t want to put weight on a particular leg. No matter what the cause, wondering “why is my dog limping” can be a concerning thought.

There are so many reasons why your dog may suddenly have started limping on one of its legs. Unlike humans, however, dogs cannot tell us where it hurts or what happened. A dog limping is often the first visual sign they might be in pain or something might be wrong, so it’s important to be vigilant of this dog injury, especially if your dog won’t stop limping after a few hours.

This article will explain what causes dog limping, possible reasons why your dog won’t stop limping, and, most importantly, what you can do to help your dog quickly recover.

There are many reasons why your dog may be limping. As dog owners, it is up to us to identify odd behaviors so we can communicate that information with the veterinarians. Sometimes, like in the case of an injury, it can be obvious why your dog is suddenly limping on its back leg. In other cases, the reason why your dog won’t put weight on their back leg may be a more gradual onset.

In cases of your dog leg limping, these are some of the most common reasons and what symptoms dog owners should look out for.

#1 Broken Leg

A broken leg is probably one of the most obvious and oftentimes severe causes of limping in your dog. Your dog may have been hit by a car or caught its leg in something in the backyard, causing its leg to fracture or break. 

In many cases, you will be able to see where the leg has broken, especially if the bone has penetrated through the skin. While this kind of dog injury is often accidental, it’s important to always monitor your dog’s playtime to avoid this kind of traumatic accident or at the very least be able to describe what exactly happened to your veterinarian.

Common signs that are seen when a dog has broken its leg are:

• Swelling on and around the leg
• Bruising 
• Limping
• Crying in pain

If you think that your dog has broken its leg, it is best to take them to your vet or an emergency vet as soon as possible. Your veterinarian will thoroughly examine your dog and take x-rays of your dog’s leg to confirm that it is broken. In some cases, your dog may have to have surgery to fix the break.

This will all depend on where your dog’s leg is broken and the severity of the injury or trauma . If needed, your dog may need to wear a cast for a few weeks until the bones heal. It’s important to follow your veterinarian’s directions and keep the cast clean and dry; this will help decrease further issues from arising.

If you have any questions during the recovery period, it’s best to call your veterinarian for advice. They can help provide guidance and even recommendations for further physical therapy or surgery for your dog if needed.

#2 Torn ACL

A more common dog injury is a torn ACL. A torn ACL is commonly seen in medium to large breed dogs due to their energy levels and the impact they are putting on their muscles. The ACL is a ligament in the knee that helps keep the leg stabilized when walking (just like for us humans). A classic sign for a torn ACL is sudden limping shortly after exercise.

Most dogs that are diagnosed with an ACL tear are typically very active dogs. So if you’re wondering “why is my dog limping” after playing fetch or running outside, a torn ACL is likely the cause. These tears will happen while they are active, and symptoms, such as limping, will be seen immediately.

Many times, dogs with a torn ACL will not want to put weight on the affected leg at all and may yelp or cry in pain the moment they experience the tear or in the immediate aftermath.

If your dog is suddenly limping or not putting any weight on its leg, it is best to see your vet. Quite often, the only way to fix an ACL tear and this type of limping is with surgery. Your veterinarian can suggest options to help decrease pain or discomfort up until your dog’s surgery.

#3 Something Stuck in their Paw

Another reason why your dog may be limping is if they have something stuck in their paw. Dog paws are resilient to an extent, but if your dog won’t stop limping, keeps licking one paw, or won’t put weight on one leg, they may have something stuck in his or her paw.

With this specific dog injury, he or she will hesitate to put weight on their paw causing them to limp. Common things found stuck in a dog’s paws are rocks, thorns, or sticks. You can closely examine your dog’s paw and see if there is something stuck between their toes. If you cannot find anything, take your dog to the veterinarian so they can help look for hidden thorns.

If your dog is in pain, he or she may be hesitant to give you their paw. So it’s important to seek veterinary care if this is the case since your veterinarian is equipped with the right tools and compassion to handle your pet with care.

#4 Broken Toenail

A broken toenail can also cause limping in dogs. For example, a dog will accidentally get a toenail caught in a blanket or rug causing a break when they go to move. Or, they may scrape and break it on hard surfaces like concrete or rock. When your dog breaks a nail it’s not just inconvenient like when it happens to us humans, but it can be downright painful.

Many times, this break exposes the quick, the soft pink tissue in the center of the nail, causing the toe to bleed. Once the bleeding stops, your dog may limp for a few days because the toe is still tender and painful. If your dog only partially broke their toenail, it may need to see a vet. The vet will trim the rest of the nail and apply a bandage, if necessary, to minimize further pain or bleeding.

In this case, what causes dog limping may seem like a minor problem. And while to us a broken or chipped nail may just be an inconvenience, it can indeed be painful for your pet due to their anatomy. It’s also important to ensure their broken toenail is bandaged in some cases so it can heal properly and not be exposed to dirt and bacteria.

#5 Hip Dysplasia

Hip Dysplasia is commonly seen in large breed dogs such as Labrador retrievers and German shepherds. Hip Dysplasia happens when a dog’s hip joints do not form correctly, causing the ball of the femur to not fit properly in the socket. The rubbing or grinding movement of the ball in the socket causes increased bony growth leading to arthritis formation. If your dog develops arthritis, this can lead to a gradual onset of limping .

Common signs of Hip Dysplasia are:

• Pain and difficulty when trying to sit or stand
• Limping
• Painful when touching hips
• Abnormal gait

If you notice any of these symptoms and notice that your dog won’t stop limping, see your veterinarian. They can take x-rays of your dog’s hips to see if he or she does, in fact, have hip Dysplasia and the severity of the condition. 

They also understand the complexities of hip dysplasia and how it affects different breeds. This knowledge and the x-rays, along with a comprehensive understanding of your pet’s unique medical history will allow them to make the correct diagnosis and put a plan of care in place.

Many times, vets will prescribe pain medication to help decrease the inflammation in the hip joints giving your pet relief. Dog owners can help decrease the chance of hip dysplasia by asking breeders about the parent’s medical background and picking a puppy from a litter with parents without hip dysplasia since this dog injury has a genetic component.  

#6 Arthritis

As your dog ages, they may start to develop arthritis. This is a buildup of extra bone in and around the joints causing inflammation. The joints most commonly affected are hips, knees, and elbows. This joint disease can be uncomfortable, however, there are some steps you can take to help keep your dog healthy as they age.

If your dog is limping on one of its legs, like their hind leg, you can carefully examine and move the different joints in that leg. If they are developing arthritis, you will be able to feel the crepitus (grinding, crackling, and popping) as you move the joint.

While this is often a natural part of the aging process and may feel inevitable, Petside says there are many things you can do to help decrease the pain associated with arthritis. Things such as Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), Glucosamine, or other joint supplements will help keep your dog from limping as much.

If your dog won’t stop limping due to arthritis, these medicines and other therapies can help make them feel more comfortable.

What if Your Dog Won’t Put Weight on Their Leg

Sometimes, seeing that your dog’s leg is limping isn’t obvious. Rather than walking, your pup may refuse to put any weight on their leg at all. Just remember that if your dog won’t put weight on their back leg suddenly, it could be a sign of pain for any of the above reasons.

Some experts recommend a quick at-home exercise to see if your dog can bear any weight on their hind leg or if they refuse. The latter can be a sign of a fracture, bone tumor, or more severe wound. However, in either case, you should always see your vet when your dog stops bearing weight on their legs. Especially if the behavior persists for more than a day or two.

When to seek Veterinary Care for my Limping dog?

If your dog has just started limping and you cannot find an obvious source of the limping, waiting a few days is okay. They may just be experiencing some discomfort that will be gone in a few days (like how we get muscle cramps).

If your dog has obvious trauma to its legs such as bruising, bleeding, or not able to walk at all, you need to see your vet as soon as possible—many causes for limping need to be addressed in the first 24 hours for a successful outcome.

If your dog’s limping is progressively getting worse or your dog won’t stop limping after a few days, you need to see your veterinarian. Do not give any over-the-counter human pain medications as many of these are very toxic to dogs, even a small dosage.

Final Thoughts on What Causes Dog Limping

If your dog is limping, there are many possibilities for the cause of this limping. Sometimes, the reasons may be extremely obvious as to why your dog is limping while others are not so obvious.

Only your veterinarian or an expert at an animal hospital can examine your dog and take x-rays to help determine why your dog is limping for certain. Depending on the cause (age, broken bones or dislocated joints), your veterinarian will then prescribe pain medication, joint supplements, muscle relaxers, or physical therapy to help your dog return to their normal happy and healthy life. 

Keep your pet physically healthy, but also check up on their emotional health. There are ways to tell if your dog has anxiety and what to do about them as well. Always keep Odie happy.

To help take the financial pressure off next time you’re wondering “why is my dog limping”, see how Odie Pet Insurance can help you and your pet. Get all your questions answered about how it works and what is covered.

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