The Most Common Reasons your Dog is Limping

The Most Common Reasons Your Dog is Limping

Just like humans, dogs limp for a variety of reasons.

Pet owner who notices that their dog has started limping may struggle to find out why.

The best way to discover the reason behind your dog’s limp is to take them to a veterinarian.

While there can be many causes, most of them fall into two main categories: sudden & gradual onset of limping.

Causes of sudden limping

Here are some common reasons for a sudden onset limp:

Broken bones

A broken bone is a very serious injury that needs to be treated right away.

For bad breaks, you will be able to see that your dog’s injured leg is twisted.

Other signs of a broken bone include inability to walk at all, swelling, or heat emanating from the limb.

Paw injury

Paw injury can be caused by thorns, bug bites or stings, burns, or bruises.

If you notice your dog is licking his paw continuously, something might have stuck in it.

Look at your dog’s paw to see if you can remove it, if you can’t then take your pet to a veterinarian.

Dislocations Like broken bones this is a serious injury that should be treated immediately.

The most obvious sign of a dislocation is a dangling limb.

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Infections like Lyme disease, which usually come from ticks, can cause limping.

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Gradual onset limping

This kind of limping is caused by chronic diseases and may not be reversible.

Some of the most common problems include:

Hip/elbow dysplasia

These are both hereditary disorders that are especially common among larger breeds of dogs.

They can occur in puppies as young as few months old but are more common in adolescent dogs.

They usually result in mild to severe lameness over time, especially in the hindlegs.

Osteoarthritis

As with humans, arthritis leads to stiff joints.

Your dog may have difficulty standing up or laying down.

There are some chews and other medications your vet can prescribe to help improve their mobility.

Bone-related cancers/Osteosarcoma

Common in larger breeds, this condition can lead to limping, fatigue, loss of appetite, and swelling.

This is a very serious & aggressive disease that will have to be treated with surgery & chemotherapy.

Even chronic back problems can cause your dog to limp.

Dr. Ron will help

Dr. Ron’s Animal Hospital & Emergency is here to help your pet get back to health.

Feel free to give us a call or stop by if your pet needs our expert care.

Contact Address 1376 Erringer Rd. Simi Valley, CA 93065

Website https://www.drronsanimalhospitalsimivalley.com/

Phone 805-306-0633