Limping is a symptom that has many potential causes, some of which are more concerning than others. While it’s hard to avoid jumping to the worst possible conclusion when you notice your dog limping, note that even many of the serious problems are often manageable with prompt and proper treatment.
Common Causes of Limping in Dogs
Limping can stem from a variety of problems, including:
Trauma – Whether a fracture, sprain, ruptured ligament, muscle strain, cut or bruise, injuries are a frequent cause of limping. Anything from a car accident to hopping off the couch and landing wrong could be to blame.
Foreign objects – The pain associated with a thorn, piece of glass or other foreign object lodged under the skin or in deeper tissues can lead to limping, particularly if a paw or joint is affected.
Infection – Infections that affect bones, joints, muscles, skin or other tissues are potential causes for limping in dogs.
Tendonitis – Inflammation of a tendon can develop because of an acute injury or as a result of repetitive overuse.
Degenerative Joint Disease – Also known as osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease (DJD) is associated with pain and joint inflammation due to cartilage deterioration. Dogs can develop DJD after injuries, because of obesity or due to an underlying genetic predisposition to joint problems such as patellar luxation, ruptured cruciate ligaments and elbow or hip dysplasia.
Tick-borne diseases – Lyme disease and other infections spread by ticks often include limping as an early symptom.
Cancer – Limping can be a sign of bone or other types of cancer.
Nerve damage – Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD)and other conditions or injuries that result in nerve damage can cause foot-dragging and weakness that may be misidentified as a limp.
What to Do When Your Dog Limps
In most cases, dogs with all but the mildest and short-lived of limps require veterinary care. Your vet will be able to properly diagnose the issue and prescribe appropriate treatment.
If, however, the cause of your dog’s limp is obvious and easily addressed, and your dog is feeling fine otherwise, you can try some home treatment first. For example, if you notice some foreign material, such as a pebble or thorn, stuck in your dog’s paw, remove it and clean the skin with a mild antiseptic. But if limping persists for more than a day or two, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
Injured dogs who are unable to bear weight on a leg need to see a veterinarian as quickly as possible. Remember not to provide your pet with any pain-relief medication before talking to your veterinarian; doing so improperly can lead to additional problems down the line.
Diagnosing and Treating Causes of Limping
A physical and orthopedic exam may be all that’s required to diagnose a dog’s limp. If the cause is not clear, X-rays will often provide further insight. In some cases, a CT scan or MRI may be required. For other diseases, blood panels or joint fluid collection will be most useful.
Depending on the diagnosis, your vet will recommend a plan for pain management and other appropriate therapies. This could include surgery, medications, nutritional supplements or complementary therapies such as acupuncture or hydrotherapy.
Chronic conditions, such as arthritis in dogs, are often best treated with combination therapy; for example, omega 3 fatty acid supplements, glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy.
Proper nutrition and exercise as well as weight management play a large role in the treatment and prevention of many of the diseases that can make dogs limp. Talk to your veterinarian to determine the best protocol based on your dog’s particular needs.