Limping

It’s natural to feel concerned when your dog appears to be in pain. Often the first sign of a leg injury is limping. Some injuries are minor and will heal on their own, while others require a visit to your veterinarian or your Animal Osteo.

It’s important to determine where the problem is, whether it’s serious and if the limp is bad enough to prevent your dog from bearing any weight on its affected limb.

Sprains and strains are both common injuries for dogs. Warning signs for both include limping or a leg that is suddenly lame. A strain is an injury to the tendons that link muscles to bones. These occur when dogs slip, fall or jump during play. Common sites for strains include the hips and thighs. Sprains are injuries to the ligaments that connect bones. Sprains often occur as a result of jumping, falling and stepping in holes. Common joints affected include the shoulders, wrists and knees.

Locate the injury

When your dog is injured it can be difficult to determine which limb is affected. Typically, your dog will come down heavier on their healthy legs and avoid putting too much weight on the one that is hurt. If you watch your dog walk, you will probably notice that their head goes up each time the uncomfortable leg is on the ground.

If the limping lasts for more than a day or two, or if it recurs, you should take your dog to be evaluated. One of of vets own Sohalispirit parents is a canine osteo and is helping many animal with limps and injuries without strong anti inflammatories that have other side effects. We cannot recommend Cori at Osteo 4 Animals enough.