How To Care For A Limping Dog

How can you help a limping pet? Apparently, a dog that is limping is in pain. A dog owner has to know what makes the dog limp to be able to find ways to help the pet. Dogs are naturally energetic and some breeds are noted to have high exercise requirements. As such, pet parents make sure that dogs are given opportunities to let off steam as this is an important technique of preventing the pet from developing unwanted behaviors. But how can a dog get its full quota of exercise if its mobility is impaired due to a limp?

There are several reasons why the dog’s ability to walk or to run is impaired. Nothing much can be done if the limp is caused by a broken bone as this case would naturally need a vet’s knowhow. Other reasons for the dog’s impaired mobility can be determined by a pet owner by doing a thorough hands-on examination on the dog. A limp that is caused by a damaged toenail, a thorn or a cut on the foot pads or a small rock that was lodged on the paws, can be easily remedied at home. To ease the dog’s discomfort you simply need to remove the thorn, clean the wound with warm water and apply antibiotic ointment. If the limping is attributed to these simple causes, the dog will be up and about in no time.

Because dogs are very energetic, soft tissue trauma or what is commonly known as pulled muscles and sprains are common. Sprains or soft tissue trauma does not really need a vet consult as the condition can be righted simply by letting the dog rest. The dog’s mobility may be restricted by the limp but being highly energetic, dogs would still try to use the injured limb so that a dog owner would be challenged to restrain the dog. To prevent the dog from using the injured foot, it would be best confine the pet in a crate.

Limping and impaired mobility is commonly seen in older dogs. The deterioration of joints and ligaments are the most common cause of limping in older dogs . Limping is one of the symptoms of arthritis, hip dysplasia or an abnormality in the hip and leg bones.

Limping that is caused by these conditions would need immediate medical attention. The vet has to conduct a thorough medical examination to be able to properly diagnose the condition of the dog. Limping dogs would suffer immense pain thus vets commonly prescribe medications to alleviate the pain and discomfort.

At Sarah’s Dogs you can read more about what to do if the dog is limping and many other interesting dog facts.