As a doting dog owner, you are tuned into subtle changes in your best friend’s appearance and behavior. When your furry pal exhibits discomfort signs, such as limping, you likely become concerned. Limping or lameness indicates that a pet is in pain, and this sign is one of the most common reasons dog owners seek veterinary care for their four-legged friends. While the causes vary in severity, limping can signal an injury or health condition that requires veterinary treatment. Our Creature Comforts Veterinary Service team explains the potential causes of your dog’s altered gait and describes treatment options for canine limping. 

Canine limping cause #1: Injury

Physical injury is a common canine limping cause. A sprain or a pulled muscle can result from everyday activities, such as running and playing, and may cause your dog to favor one leg. Injuries that develop acutely after intense activity typically resolve with rest. However, broken bones or fractures are more serious and painful, and your pet can experience these if they have experienced vehicular trauma or a sporting injury, or have fallen from a height. Open fractures (i.e., broken bones that penetrate the skin) require emergency treatment.

Canine limping cause #2: Arthritis 

Arthritis is a common degenerative joint condition that can affect pets of all ages, but especially senior pets. In arthritic joints, the cartilage that cushions the bones and allows joints to move smoothly deteriorates because of repetitive stress, trauma, disease, or normal wear and tear. The bones rub together, causing pain and inflammation as they grind against each other. Although arthritis can manifest in any joint, veterinarians most frequently diagnose the condition in dogs’ hips, elbows, knees, wrists, and lower backs. Arthritis causes stiffness, pain, and mobility issues, so if your dog is limping, reluctant to move, and slower than usual, arthritis may be the cause.

Canine limping cause #3: Hip or elbow dysplasia

This orthopedic condition is fairly common in large-breed puppies and dogs, but the problem can affect any pet. Dysplasia refers to abnormal hip or elbow joint development, leading to pain and limping. If your dog is a large breed and exhibits lameness signs, especially at a young age, dysplasia could be the reason. Hip dysplasia most commonly affects these breeds:

  • German shepherd dogs
  • Labrador retrievers
  • Golden retrievers
  • Rottweilers
  • Bernese mountain dogs
  • Newfoundlands

Canine limping cause #4: Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcomas are highly aggressive bone tumors that cause local bone damage and various degrees of lameness and pain. This disease is the most common bone cancer that dogs develop, and the condition is typically aggressive, spreading rapidly throughout the body. While osteosarcoma can affect dogs of any breed, large and giant breeds have the highest risk.

Canine limping cause #5: Torn toenails

Dogs’ toenails contain blood vessels and nerves (i.e., the quick), surrounded by a layer of hard material (i.e., keratin). If your dog tears a toenail to the quick, they will experience significant pain and bleeding, which can cause them to limp.

Canine limping cause #6: Tick-borne disease

Tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, cause dogs to experience joint inflammation and pain, which leads to limping. By administering year-round parasite preventives to your dog, you help reduce their risk of contracting these serious and sometimes life-threatening diseases.

What to do if your dog is limping

Limping does not usually indicate that your dog is experiencing a veterinary emergency. However, to determine whether your canine companion’s condition requires veterinary care, do the following:

  • Check for injuries — Examine your dog’s legs and paws for any visible injury signs such as cuts, thorns, or swelling. If your dog has a wound, gently clean the area and use tweezers to remove debris. After cleaning the area, bandage the wound to help prevent infection.
  • Provide rest and monitoring — Your dog’s limp may be attributable to a minor injury or strain that will heal with rest. Limit your dog’s activity and observe them closely. If the limping doesn’t improve after 24 hours or worsens, contact your veterinarian. 
  • Seek veterinary care — If your dog’s limp persists or worsens, or your furry pal exhibits additional signs, such as fever, lethargy, or inappetence, your veterinarian should examine your four-legged friend and perform diagnostic testing to determine their condition’s underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment. Canine limping treatment may include:
  • Medications — Medications can reduce inflammation and pain. 
  • Joint supplements and injections — If your veterinarian diagnoses your dog with joint disease, such as arthritis, they may prescribe a high-quality supplement or administer a pain-relieving injection.
  • Physical therapy — Rehabilitation exercises may help treat some conditions.
  • Surgery — Your veterinarian will recommend surgical intervention to address certain conditions, including most fractures, some dysplasias, and ligament ruptures. 

Not all canine limping requires immediate veterinary care, but you can ensure your dog stays pain-free through early disease detection, close monitoring, and appropriate treatment. If your dog has a limp that does not improve with rest, schedule an appointment with our Creature Comforts Veterinary Service team.