I have a female Lhasa Apso/terrier mix, she's about 5 years old, and yesterday, she started limping. When she walks, she favors her right front paw and holds it off the ground completely when she runs. As far as I know, she hasn't had anything happen to her recently that might cause this. I felt her leg and as far as I can tell nothings broken. I also checked her paw for cuts, thorns, glass, etc. and found nothing. What could be wrong with her? She's never had anything like this happen before. Please don't tell me to take her to the vet, I plan on it if she's not better tomorrow. Thanks.
2007-11-09 17:20:37 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
None of her nails are broken. I checked between her toes, both on the top and on the bottom. There's no glass, no thorns, no cuts, nothing.
2007-11-09 17:38:15 · update #1
Dogs often get sprains or just mildly injure a muscle or tendon. Often times they go away on their own in a day or two, so if there is no swelling or obvious injuries, it would be safe to wait a day or two and see if it goes away. In the meantime, if it gets worse, you want to take her in, but if all she is doing is limping, then watching it for 48 hours won't hurt anything.
If in a couple days she is still doing it, then you'll want to have it looked at as it could be a torn ligament or tendon or something else that needs treatment. But for now, I would just watch it and see what happens.
2007-11-09 17:29:07 · answer #1 · answered by Shanna 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Letting a limp go on for so long is not very good. More and more arthritis can build up and make it increasingly difficult to manage. Your dog should be re-evaluated and yes probably x-rayed. Depending on your vet and your dog's demeanor, they may not require anesthesia for the x-rays. In New York state, it is almost mandatory because no one is allowed in the x-ray room holding for x-rays, so the animals must be anesthetized. Other states are not so strict, but it still could be necessary. This dog is so young at 5 years old, it really isn't fair to make him suffer with a bad leg. I know your mom is concerned about the anesthesia, but not treating this could be shortening his life! If he is limping he is in pain, and putting more weight on his other joints to compensate. If this leg doesn't get treated, another leg is likely to fail as well. How will you/she manage a 6 or 7 year old dog that cannot walk? You will have to consider euthanasia if your dog is not mobile! Pretending this will go away on its own is childish! It is not likely that this is a foot injury. The most likely cause of hind leg lameness in a larger dog is a cruciate injury. It is likely that this will ultimately require surgery, so it would be best to get over this fear of anesthesia sooner rather than later.
2016-04-03 05:10:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Limping? Well obviously it's arthritis!
I'm being sarcastic by the way. I'm trying to demonstrate that there is no way, no possible way, anyone on here can tell you why your dog is limping, so don't waste your time.
The fact that you can't feel anything wrong yourself doesn't really mean anything - you're not a vet so you don't know how to properly palpate a limb to find the source of pain. If something has gone in deep, you won't be able to find it.
As you can see, answers on here have not been helpful thus far. As you say, take her to the vet tomorrow if she's not better. Don't wait any longer than that because the longer this goes without treatment the harder it will be to fix - and the more expensive.
Chalice
2007-11-09 21:15:27 · answer #3 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many injuries/pains that can cause a dog to limp, and you are correct to plan a vet visit soon, as only a vet can diagnose her. The injury could be either to her paw or leg. Meanwhile, do encourage her not to do anything strenuous, such as jumping off the bed onto the paw/leg.
2007-11-09 17:35:18 · answer #4 · answered by Syl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can try soaking her sore paw in some warm water. It might take the soreness out. I agree, if she isn't better tomorrow good to have it checked by the vet.
Sounds like you did a great job checking her leg and foot. Did you look good between her toes and to see that she didn't catch her toe nail on something?
2007-11-09 17:25:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probably a good idea to take her to the vet whether or not she acts better tomorrow. She may have some arthritis that's finally catching up with her -- are you having colder weather where you are?
2007-11-09 17:26:21 · answer #6 · answered by BunnuvaSitch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be a strain. My Weim strained her leg by stepping into a hole a few months ago. We limited her activity for a few weeks and she was fine. Good for you, one a the few pet owners tonight stating that they were taking there dog to the vet.
2007-11-09 17:28:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
She must have hurt her bone.Also she can have hit her leg somewhere and it could be nthing serious.But if you are sure there are no cuts or bruises take her to the vet immedately if possible because it can be one of those problems whose severity increases with time
2007-11-09 17:28:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There could be a ligament stretched or torn, or there may be a fracture that you cannot feel. The vet will be able to tell you more tomorrow.
2007-11-09 17:33:10 · answer #9 · answered by Unicornrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
LIMPING? That may be injuries, maybe your dog is injured, try to take your dog to the vet. But if that keeps going on, that's a fractured dog.
2007-11-09 18:18:38 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋