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How to Know If Your Limping Dog Needs to See a Vet
Limping can indicate a severe problem in many situations. If your dog is limping, it's a sign that their paw or leg is too hurt to support their weight – which can be pretty serious!
However, dogs also limp for some pretty benign reasons. A dog that steps on a bee may limp for a bit afterward. This situation doesn't necessarily call for a vet trip, but seeing your dog limping can be quite concerning for many dog owners.
Telling the difference between a severe reason and a mostly benign one can be pretty tricky! Here are some factors you should keep in mind when determining if your dog needs to see a vet:
Timing
How long your dog has been limping can be a good indicator of the seriousness of the condition. A dog with a simple bee sting will probably only limp for thirty minutes at most. After that, they'll act like nothing ever happened.
If your dog limps for an hour or more, it could be a sign that the condition is long-lasting and much more severe. It isn't going away on its own, which could signify that you need to seek veterinary help.
Of course, you don't want to wait too long to see a vet if your dog is limping. Don't sit around for hours to see if the problem will resolve itself. If your dog has been limping for a couple of hours, it probably isn't resolving itself any time soon and it's time to call the vet.
Other Symptoms
For most minor conditions, your dog shouldn't have any other symptoms. If they sprain their paw, they will probably limp around for a bit – but that is it.
If your dog begins to show other symptoms, it is likely time to visit the vet.
These symptoms are particularly concerning and require emergency veterinary attention:
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Uncontrollable bleeding
- Excessive swelling
While these symptoms don't necessarily mean your dog has a severe condition, it is suggested to get them checked out just in case!
For instance, even something as simple as a bee sting can become serious if excessive swelling is involved, as it is a sign of an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions can turn into something quite serious, even if it started as benign as a bee sting.
Physical Assessment
If it is safe for you to do so, a physical assessment of the leg can provide you with lots of helpful information about your dog's injury. Although, this is best done by a Veterinarian.
Only assess your dog's leg if it is safe to do so. Many dogs become aggressive when they are in pain – even when they are otherwise very passive. Your sweetheart of a dog may be very confident that they don't want to be touched. A dog in pain who is resistant to being touched can quickly lead to aggression. Many people have been bitten trying to help their injured dogs. You aren't going to be able to help your pet if you are also injured. In most cases, your best option is to bring your dog to the Veterinarian for a thorough checkup.
Look for signs of injury
If your dog will let you look at their limp, check for any obvious signs of injury. If your dog is bleeding or their leg is broken, it is time to see a vet. Sores and other injuries may be revealed. Small sores and bumps may indicate a scrap, bite, or sting bothering your dog, though it may not necessarily require veterinary attention.
Check your dog's feet
We recommend giving their paw and the areas in between their paw pads a very close look. Dogs can get things stuck between their toes, which can cause pain when walking. This won't require veterinary attention and can usually be dislodged without much of a problem. Ticks can even sometimes latch on between paw pads, causing discomfort and potentially spreading diseases.
Bites and stings usually aren't severe, but they should be monitored. Dogs can have allergic reactions to the bites and stings of just about anything – even hours after they happen. But most bug bites clear up within an hour.
If your dog starts to suddenly limp after any kind of intense physical activity, you absolutely should make a vet appointment. Dogs that, for example, participate in dog sports such as agility can ignore the pain for the duration of their practice and only show the limp afterward when they're calmed down.
The same applies to dogs that go on runs or bike rides with their owners. They can ignore a lot of pain while they're doing the activity they love - and may continue running even with muscle or ligament tears!
Seriousness of the Limp
There is a significant difference between a slight limp and dragging the leg. If your dog is dragging their leg around, it is time to seek veterinary attention. However, if they're putting pressure on their leg, it may just be sore.
You should be very concerned if your dog is dragging their leg and not acting very bothered by it. If your canine doesn't seem to feel its leg, it's a sign that there may be some nerve damage – indicating a severe condition that needs veterinary attention.
Whenever a dog's nerves get involved, it's time to see a vet.
Lethargic dogs and those that don't want to move often need veterinary attention – with one caveat. Some dogs may be a bit dramatic when they first step on a bee or are just stung by another insect. They may not want to move for five minutes or so. It isn't uncommon for dogs to lie down in the middle of a walk due to the pain!
However, these dogs are typically better after five minutes. If your dog refuses to move for thirty minutes or longer, it's a sign that something more serious is going on.
Underlying Conditions
Some underlying conditions may make your canine more prone to limping. For instance, certain back conditions can flare up and make a dog's back legs unsteady. They may be unable to coordinate their legs properly and drag one or both of their back legs around.
If your dog has an underlying condition and it suddenly seems to get worse, you should call your vet. While this isn't always a sign that they need an appointment, your vet knows your dog's history the best and will be able to provide you with the most accurate information.
Be sure to always follow your vet's guidelines when caring for your dog and determining whether or not they need emergency care.
Common Causes of Limping
There are many reasons your dog may be limping. Understanding some of these common causes can help you understand your dog's issue – and hopefully help you figure out if they need veterinary assistance.
Here's a short list of the most common causes of limping:
- Arthritis
- Bite from an animal or insect
- Congenital malformation
- Cruciate injury
- Cut on paw or foot
- Degenerative Myelopathy
- Dislocation, luxation, or subluxation of a joint
- Elbow dysplasia
- Fracture
- Hip dysplasia
- Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis
- Infection
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Object stuck in paw or foot
- Osteochondritis Dissecans
- Panosteitis ("growing pains")
- Patellar luxation
- Sprain or strain
- Tick-borne disease
- Torn ligament or tendon
- Torn nail
Many of these do require veterinary attention, but many others do not. Common leg injuries may require a dog leg brace or dog splint to provide joint support as the leg injury heals.
Supporting Your Dog as They Heal
Depending on the severity of the injury, your dog's recovery time will vary. Many canine injuries, especially if it impacts the paw, leg, hip, knee, or elbow, may make it difficult for your dog to walk. Joint injuries can be painful and your dog may not be able to walk normally. A limping dog may overcompensate and place added strain on another part of their body as they walk. In these instances, a lifting harness or dog wheelchair may reduce the pressure placed on your dog's injured leg making it easier for them to walk without causing further injury.
Products to Support a Limping Dog
Up-n-Go Rear Support Leash
Final Thoughts
Limping can mean something serious – or it can be benign. Usually, dogs who are limping for a serious reason have apparent physical injuries, limp for an hour or more, and show other symptoms.
Dogs that limp for an extended period or have other symptoms need veterinary care. You should also seek vet care for unusual limping. For instance, if your canine acts like they can't feel their leg, it's a sign of a nerve condition and requires immediate veterinary care.
In the end, taking your dog to the vet when they don't need it is also better than not taking them when they do. If you feel like your dog needs veterinary attention, you should call and speak with your local veterinarian.
