When our dogs “limp”, they are not weight bearing normally on one limb. The severity of a “limp” can vary greatly. It can range from being a symptom of a serious injury or condition to a very minor trauma. In the most severe cases the dog will not put any weight on the limb, so they are hopping on three legs. In less severe cases, the dog may just touch the ground with their toe only or contact the ground with their full paw but take less weight on the limb compared to the others. All of these scenarios constitute what we call a “limp” and will visibly change the dog’s gait.

What causes a dog to limp?

Dogs may limp for a myriad of reasons relating to their conformation, physical health or the external environment in which they live and exercise.

A limp may also be the result of a soft tissue injury: muscle, tendon or ligament damage. Muscle strains can occur when the dog overstretches, perfroms sudden movements, overexercises, bumps into an object or slips and falls.

How to treat a dog’s limp?

If your dog has just started limping, here are some tips for treating it.

1. Check their paws

Dogs may limp because they have a problem with a paw. Check the dog’s paws for stings, prickles, knotted hair or damaged pads. As the weather warms, dogs’ pads can burn if they are walking on hot footpaths or bitumen, so check for any wear or blistering.

Remember to also check between the pads for abrasions or foreign objects. Snagged or split toenails can also be a source of discomfort around dogs’ feet.

If you feel any heat or swelling in the dog’s foot, then suspect inflammation and seek veterinary advice.

2. Apply ice and rest

When you know the cause of your dog’s limp is from a muscle strain, a blow or over exertion, then rest your dog immediately. Apply ice to the affected area intermittently for the first 24 hours.

If your dog won’t tolerate an ice pack, then try applying cool damp towels to the area. The cool will constrict the flow of blood to the injury site and prevent swelling. It will also decrease the pain sensation by numbing the nerve endings. By applying cold treatment intermittently, a flushing action occurs. When the cold is removed from the injury site, the blood returns to the site, stimulating the circulatory system and supporting the healing process.

Restrict your dog’s activity for 12 – 24 hours to allow their body to heal.

If your dog is limping from an old injury or due to a long term persistent condition such as osteoarthritis, then apply a heat pack instead of ice to the injury site.

3. Seek veterinary diagnosis and treatment

If there is no obvious trauma on the paw and your dog is still limping after 24 hours of rest, then seek a veterinary diagnosis.

Depending on the vet’s diagnosis, a consultation with a canine myofunctional (massage) therapist may assist dogs with a musculoskeletal diagnosis. Canine myofunctional therapy or massage may help heal the muscles to restore them to their full strength, speed, and flexibility. A certified therapist can also provide conditioning, lifestyle and nutritional advice to reduce the risk of your dog re-injuring themselves.

In the case of chronic conditions, canine massage may ease muscular discomfort so the dog can stay active.

I would love to discuss options for treating your dog’s limp, so please feel free to contact me. Full Stride provides canine massage, physical therapy and nutrition advice on the north side of Brisbane.

Until next time, enjoy your dogs.

Sources:

Hourdebaight, Jean-Pierre 2004, Canine Massage: A complete reference manual 2nd edition, Dogwise Publishing, Wenatchee WA, USA