my dog had just sprained her left leg (2/14/07) what should i do if my dog is limpping and trying to keep pressure off her leg. im going to see what happens tomorow and definatly take her to the vet but for now what should i do and how do i really know if its sprained or broken
2007-02-14 12:48:30 · 11 answers · asked by Irina T 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
my dog sprained her leg and is now barley walking, we plan to take her to the vet tomorrow and see what the vet says. for now she is quiet and most of the time laying down. we dont know how bad it it but at least shes eating and drinking something. what should i do to make her feel better!?!?! this happened becasue my floor was a liitle wet from snow and she slipped on her left leg. for a couple of minuts she wined and then was ok. now like i said she is trying to walk and her leg looks ok. ( if i didnt know beter i thought i was fine) once in a while she falls when walking. so what should i do?????
2007-02-14 12:59:55 · update #1
take her to the vet?!?!?!?!?!?!?
2007-02-14 12:50:21 · answer #1 · answered by Brittany I 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you can't take her tonight, keep her calm and off the leg.
If you have a crate, now would be a good time to crate her. If not, confine her to a bathroom or laundry room so she doesn't injure herself further.
To go to the potty - leash only. You may want to put a towel under her as a sling to help support her.
Do NOT give her Asprin, Tylenol or Ibuprophen. Dogs should not take any human pain killers.
This is how we've treated dogs with torn ACLs (knees) and hip replacments or hip surguries (FHO) or anyone else with limb injuries in the rescue where I volunteer.
For my own peace of mind, I'd call my vet tonight and ask. If your vet isn't in, I'd call and ER vet. The possibility of a broken leg worries me much more than a sprain.
Tomorrow, get her into the vet and get her seen. I'm sure she will be fine but you want to make sure she doesn't injure herself further tonight.
Just remember that the stuff you read here can be good advice but I'm not a vet and most of the other posters aren't either. You can call them and ask the experts!
Good luck and I hope she gets better soon.
2007-02-14 12:56:19 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If it's broken, she won't weight bear on it at all. If she is touching down with it while trying to walk, your probably looking at a sprain/strain. Depending upon whether it's rear or front though, you could be looking at an ACL rupture(which has to be corrected by surgery). If it's a rear leg & she's not in any pain when the leg is manuvered, it could be that.
If it's a sprain, your vet will start your dog on some type of anit-inflammatory medication for a few weeks & tell you to rest the dog - even if that means kenneling them up for a couple weeks. It's better for the dog not to use the leg.
I hope it's nothing serious !!!
2007-02-14 12:55:43 · answer #3 · answered by pritigrl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a newspaper and roll it up about the size of your dog's leg. Slip it over the leg, and then wrap an ace bandage around it gently. Make sure your dog rest it's leg.
You can also give put an ice pack on it' s leg, make sure it's not too icy or he'll jump.
Get the dog to the vet ASAP
2007-02-14 13:18:37 · answer #4 · answered by trishnh 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just keep her off of her leg until you take her to the vet. If it is really sprained or broken she won't put it on the ground when she is walking she will hold it up in the air. Also if she broke it you can feel it if you feel her leg. Good Luck I hope she is okay.
2007-02-14 12:55:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
A sprain may heal itself, just keep an eye on the pain level and that it's not broken. You should be able to wait on the vet till tomorrow. A baby aspirin should relief some pain if needed. Let it rest and drink water.
2007-02-14 12:52:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Make sure she stays calm for the rest of the night. No playing, jumping, etc. The only way to know for sure if it's broken is to take her to get an xray. If it is broken, you shouldn't hesitate to get her leg casted otherwise it could heal improperly and that could lead to surgery or worse case scenario, amputation of that leg
I also wouldn't recommend giving her any pain meds because that will make her pain better and she may start walking around causing more injury to her leg.
2007-02-14 12:56:05 · answer #7 · answered by Pom♥Mom Spay and Neuter 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have a crate that would be the best thing for her tonight. just to keep her quiet and still until you can get to the vet tomorrow.Hope shes feeling better.
2007-02-14 15:02:39 · answer #8 · answered by sunset12211 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without an exray you won't know if it's broken or not. Keep her quiet overnight and hope for the best tomorrow!
2007-02-14 12:54:22 · answer #9 · answered by dressage.rider 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if our dog sprained her leg then i would carry it evry where and take very good care of it next time!
2007-02-14 13:04:06 · answer #10 · answered by Crazygirl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Would you leave your ankle sprained or broken overnight?
NICE
2007-02-14 12:51:01 · answer #11 · answered by Katie 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋