Help! Why is My Dog Limping?

If you are wondering “Why is my dog limping?”, you have come to the right place (well other than your veterinarian’s office, of course). Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby explains how to check your dog over at home to get an idea of what hurts and lists some of the many reasons a dog may be limping. Plus, she explains a bit about how you can help your limping dog feel better.

As a pet owner, there are few things more heart-wrenching than seeing your beloved dog painfully hobbling around on three legs. Obviously, you want to do everything you can to get him or her back to full mobility again.

But how can you know what is causing the limping, and whether it warrants an emergency vet visit? Today we will discuss some of the most common reasons your dog may have started limping. Plus, we will go through the ways you and your vet can help with the recovery process.

Acute lameness

If you let your dog outside on four good legs, and he or she comes back in limping on three legs, you and your vet will be considering acute causes for the lameness. In medical terms, “acute” indicates that the nature of a disease or condition is sudden onset or of short duration. This is the dog who is suddenly limping. The causes are typically quite different than those of “chronic,” or long-term limping. To start off, let’s take a look at acute lameness in the front or rear legs.

Why is my dog limping on a front leg?

Trauma to the leg or foot tends to be a common culprit when your dog is acutely limping on his front leg (i.e. forelimb). Often, but not always, you will be able to see some obvious external signs that point to trauma.

To check out the leg in question, have someone help you by holding your dog in a stable, supported position. Your helper can do this by kneeling on the floor and placing one arm under the dog’s neck. Then he or she will place the other arm under the dog’s chest, cradling your dog’s weight. Alternatively, lay your dog down on his or her side. Then have your helper gently hold your dog’s head. Starting from the shoulder and working your way down to the toes, you can examine your dog’s leg for:

• Heat or swelling in a particular region
• Puncture wounds or bleeding, indicating an animal bite or trauma
• Obvious fractures
• Torn or broken toenails
• Thorns, glass, or other foreign bodies in the toe pads or between the toes

Why is my dog limping on a back leg?

On the other hand, orthopedic problems are more likely to be the cause of acute rear leg (i.e. hindlimb) lameness. However, trauma is still a possibility.

To evaluate the back paw or leg, have a helper support your dog while standing or lying down. Then gently run your hands down the hind leg, starting from the hip and ending at the toes. Try to note any major changes or sites of discomfort. It can be very helpful to examine the “good” leg first. That way you will be able to note any subtle changes in the anatomy of the affected leg.

When watching your dog walk with an injured hindlimb, assess how he or she is using the leg. Does your dog only have a mild limp? Is he or she “toe touching” (i.e. reaching the leg to the floor but pulling it back up when the toenail/top of the foot touches)? Or is your dog holding his or her leg up completely without using it? This information can be used to help isolate the location and type of back leg injury. Common acute back leg injuries that lead to limping include, but are not limited to:

• Fractures (i.e. broken bones)
• Hip dislocation
• Torn ACL in dogs (the dog version of the human ACL injury)
• Patellar luxation (i.e. a kneecap that pops out of place)
• Broken toenails
• Soft tissue trauma such as punctures, bites, cuts, or foreign bodies
• Neurologic abnormalities (i.e. spinal stroke in dogs or IVDD in dogs)

If your dog is acutely limping, it is important to get him or her to the veterinarian for diagnostics and treatment, including pain relief. (More on how urgent the vet visit is in a bit.) But first, let’s address the other side of the coin—chronic lameness.

Chronic lameness in dogs

Instead of coming up acutely lame, some dogs may have a gradual onset limp that vets would classify as “chronic.” You may notice your dog limping on and off, and some days he or she may seem more painful than others. This can coincide with changes in the weather, increased activity, or even the life stage of your dog. (Did you know dogs can get growing pains, just like children?) Even if your dog is only limping intermittently, it indicates that he or she is experiencing pain, and should be seen by a veterinarian.

The causes of chronic limping can be more difficult to diagnose, especially if it only happens intermittently. It can be very helpful to bring videos of your dog limping to your appointment. You could also consider keeping a brief journal of activities and circumstances that tend to exacerbate your dog’s pain. Potential causes for chronic lameness can include:

• Osteoarthritis in dogs (i.e. degenerative joint disease)
• Tumors in the bone or soft tissue
• Cruciate ligament disease—This condition is on both lists because sometimes the cruciate ligament tears gradually or a dog is chronically lame from an untreated or undiagnosed ACL tear.
• Back injuries or spinal/neurologic abnormalities such as spondylosis in dogs
• Tick-borne disease in dogs—Diseases transmitted through tick bites can cause severe lameness and other health issues.
• Soft tissue inflammation (i.e. “weekend warrior syndrome”)—Some dogs experience generalized muscle soreness following strenuous activity or play.
• Hip dysplasia in dogs

My dog is limping—do I need an appointment today?

When you notice your dog limping—either acutely or chronically—it raises the question of how soon you should get him or her to the vet. This is where the evaluation techniques that I discussed above can come in handy.

• If you determine that your dog has a traumatic injury such as a deep cut or puncture wound, or if you think your dog might have a broken leg, you should contact your veterinary office or head to the nearest emergency clinic.
• If your dog is bleeding, crying out in pain, paralyzed, or won’t put any weight on the leg, this is an emergency situation.
• Dogs with a broken toenail can sometimes experience significant pain or bleeding. If this is the case, he or she should be seen promptly by a veterinarian. However, a broken or cracked toenail that doesn’t seem to be bothering your dog can often wait for a “non-emergency” appointment.
• If your dog will allow you to touch the leg and he or she can move it tentatively, you can probably go ahead and book an appointment at the next available “non-emergent” time.
• When in doubt, always run your dog’s situation by the veterinary team. That way they can advise you on the best course of action.

If your vet agrees that a “non-emergency” appointment is appropriate, encourage your dog to rest in the meantime. Leash walk him or her outside only long enough to use the bathroom. Consider using a rolled towel as a sling to help support his or her body weight.

What can I expect at my limping dog’s vet appointment?

During the visit, your veterinarian will have two main goals:

1. Find the source of the lameness
2. Manage the pain while preventing further injury

To help accomplish the first goal, your veterinarian will ask you questions about the circumstances surrounding your dog’s limping. He or she wants to hear lots of details to help isolate potential causes for the pain. A journal and videos can also be extremely helpful so the vet can see what your dog is doing at home when calm. Sometimes dogs get REALLY excited when they get to the hospital. As a result, the limping they have been doing at home for three days is suddenly nonexistent as they bounce around the exam room.

Your vet will then perform an orthopedic and physical examination to attempt to localize where the pain is coming from. During the orthopedic exam, the vet will watch your dog walk. Also, he or she will palpate and manipulate the bones and joints in the leg.

This will most likely be followed by X-rays of the affected leg. In some cases, your vet may recommend taking the X-rays under sedation or anesthesia. This helps make the process more comfortable for your dog. It also ensures that the vet is able to get good quality diagnostic images.

Your vet may also recommend some advanced lab testing such as a complete blood count, serum biochemistry, or urinalysis. These tests can point to signs of tick-borne disease, infections, or other problems that can lead to lameness. Additionally, this bloodwork helps to ensure that your dog is healthy enough to take some of the most common pain control medications or to undergo anesthesia and surgery if needed.

Advanced diagnostics

In rare cases of limping, your veterinarian may recommend higher-level diagnostics to isolate some less-often seen causes of lameness. These tests can include:

• Joint taps (“arthrocentesis”)—removing a small amount of fluid from the joint and sending it to a lab for analysis
• Serologic testing for tick-borne diseases
• Orthopedic ultrasound
• CT— a great way to evaluate bones and joints
• MRI—shows signs of soft tissue and spinal disease well

The information your vet obtains from talking to you, the orthopedic and physical exams, and any other tests is critical to the diagnosis and treatment of many lameness-causing diseases. Dogs can’t “talk” to their veterinarian. So the vet must rely on the evidence he or she gathers to best treat the source of the pain.

How can I help my limping dog?

Once the vet determines the cause of the limp, he or she will discuss the steps in the treatment plan. Sometimes it involves surgery such as TPLO surgery for dogs or fracture repair. Other times it is a matter of medical management. Whether you are resting your limping dog after a mild, acute injury, or rehabilitating him after a major or chronic one, there are lots of ways to make your dog more comfortable and maximize the healing process.

Keep in mind, if your dog is limping, your dog IS in pain. Animals can have extremely high pain tolerances and the signs your dog is in pain can be subtle. Dogs will often be limping as a sign of pain but not necessarily crying out in pain. And just because your dog is still eating, drinking, walking, and playing does not mean he or she isn’t hurting. It is very important to help manage your limping dog’s pain.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Your vet will likely prescribe a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that you should give as directed. These medications are highly effective at reducing pain and inflammation, which is why they are often the first choice for dogs who are limping. However, they aren’t right for every dog. Your vet will decide if NSAIDs would be safe for your dog based on the bloodwork and other factors.

It is very important that you do not give your dog medications that are not prescribed to him or her or ones that are left over from other pets. And absolutely do not use over-the-counter human pain medications. You cannot give your dog Advil, naproxen, or other similar medications as these can be toxic to dogs.

Other pain medications

Some veterinarians will also recommend combining other medications such as tramadol for dogs, amantadine for dogs, or gabapentin for dogs with an NSAID to provide extra pain relief. Or, in dogs who can’t take NSAIDs, the vet may recommend some of those medications instead of NSAIDs. Again, do not give your dog any medications that were not specifically prescribed to him or her by the veterinarian for this particular problem.

Cold therapy

Using towel-wrapped ice packs on the affected area of the leg can be very beneficial in reducing pain, swelling, and inflammation. Three 15-minute sessions are typically recommended per day. If your dog does not tolerate cold therapy well, please stop and consult your veterinarian.

Weight management

In general, most dogs with an orthopedic injury could benefit from being a healthy weight. And in some cases, having a healthy body condition score can even help prevent injuries from occurring. To learn more about how to keep your dog trim and healthy, check out these three articles:

1. Your Dog’s Body Condition Score (BCS): Find Your Dog’s Number in 3 Easy Steps
2. How to Help a Dog Lose Weight (Without Losing Your Mind)
3. Is My Dog Overweight? Your 7 Most Weighty Questions Answered

Joint support diets, supplements, and medications

You can support your dog’s orthopedic health by feeding a diet rich in eicosapentaenoic acids (EPA), one of the three types of omega-3 fatty acids for dogs or considering a fish oil supplement. Additionally, there are a variety of other excellent joint supplements for dogs that can help decrease joint inflammation and improve joint health.

One of my favorites is Dr. Buzby’s Encore Mobility™ hip and joint supplement. With a unique combination of green lipped mussel for dogs and deer antler velvet for dogs, Encore Mobility has the ability to work wonders for limping dogs. Take a look at the infographic below to learn more.

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Another great option is Adequan for dogs. This injectable medication has the ability to not only support the joints and reduce inflammation but also slow down the progression of osteoarthritis. It can be very useful for dogs with chronic lameness caused by arthritis or for dogs with joint problems like hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, or ACL tears that can lead to arthritis.

Appropriate exercise restriction

A slow and steady recovery plan and gradual increase in activity are critical to appropriate healing of orthopedic injuries. Otherwise, your dog may take two steps forward and three steps back! Short-term crate rest is often best. If needed, you can ask your vet about mild sedation to help your pup stay relaxed and calm during the “bed rest” phase.

Lick mats, Kong toys, and other puzzle toys are also an excellent way to keep your dog’s mind engaged. Having something to do tends to make it easier for a dog to be confined to a crate.

Always supervise your dog when using these toys. Also, keep in mind that you should subtract the dog food or treats you put in these toys from your dog’s normal daily allotment. Otherwise you run the risk of your dog packing on some extra pounds while sedentary and getting extra calories from the treats.

As a side note, crate rest is much easier for dogs who are already crate trained. When your dog is used to being in the crate and sees it as a happy, safe place, having to spend more time in there won’t be as big of a deal.

Being able to keep your dog confined according to your vet’s directions can also make a huge difference his or her recovery. Too much activity too soon can be a recipe for disaster, especially after orthopedic surgery. If you want to learn more about crate training, check out this crate training guide from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

Rehabilitation plan

You can also ask your vet about rehab exercises such as balancing, cavaletti, or other activities. If there is a rehab specialty clinic near you, the team there can also help design a plan for your pup. Many rehab clinics also have an underwater treadmill. This can be a great way to take weight off the joints and rebuild strength and mobility.

Laser therapy for dogs, visits to the dog chiropractor, or acupuncture can also be great options for rehab. Some general practice clinics offer those services. If not, the veterinary team may be able to refer you to another clinic that does.

Environmental modifications

You can also take steps to make your home safer and more comfortable for your pup during the recovery period and beyond. Try to limit how many stairs your dog needs to do in a day. At least initially, keep him or her from running, jumping, and roughhousing as much as possible. Using ramps to get in and out of the car or up and down from furniture also can be helpful.

If your dog has issues getting traction, especially on slippery floors, this would be a great time to try out Dr. Buzby’s ToeGrips® dog nail grips. Injured or painful dogs tend to have some difficulty walking anyway. So when you add in a slippery floor, this can be a recipe for sliding or falling, which could potentially worsen the exciting injury or cause a new injury. However, applying ToeGrips can help your dog maintain his or her footing. This translates to him or her walking more confidently and comfortably.

I do want to mention that ToeGrips can be effective for dogs of any age. But we don’t tend to recommend them for young, active dogs. This is because they can get pulled off the nails by vigorous exercise, especially outside. When you are using them during the initial rehab period, this shouldn’t be an issue because your dog’s exercise would be restricted. However, if you want to keep using them once your dog is back to more normal activity, please chat with the ToeGrips customer care team. They can help you figure out the best solution for your pup.

Work with your veterinarian

As you can see, there are many reasons a dog may be limping. There are also a lot of things you can do to help your dog feel better and recover well. If you are reading this because your dog is currently limping, the best thing you can do is make an appointment with your vet. Yes, some mild causes of limping may improve with rest and TLC at home. But it is always safer, especially if you think your dog has been seriously injured, to consult your veterinarian.

Your vet can help get to the bottom of why your dog is limping. Plus, he or she can find ways to manage your dog’s pain, which is also very important. This partnership between you and your vet can get your pup’s paws on the path to recovery so you can enjoy more good days together. So if you are wondering, “Why is my dog limping?”, do a quick exam of your dog’s leg like we discussed then head to the vet to find the answer.

Why was your dog limping and how did you help him or her recover?

Please share your dog’s story below.