Your dog is standing on their toes, with their ankles in the air and its knees curved. Visualize doing it all day to understand your dog’s weight and stress on their muscles and joints. Scratching behind ears, wrestling with playmates, jumping on beds, and leaping for toys take power, stamina, and flexibility.
Things You Need to Do If Your Dog is Limping
Having a dog that is limping can cause a pet owner to experience a variety of emotions. The limp is the first thing you observe. You could see your dog is a little unstable when they stand up. Isn’t that the point? Does this sound like an exaggeration?
Were they stumbling? Consider having someone else watch your dog while you’re away. The limp advances from being a possibility to a for-sure thing. So, what else can you do at this time? Don’t freak out. This is what you need to do if your dog is limping.
Observe Your Pet
Even if your dog appears excellent, it might have been harmed and been limping for some time. In most cases, progressive limps suggest joint or bone illness instead of an accident. If your pet seems in good health, besides the occasional misstep or pause, you need to track your observations.
This will let you see if the limp worsens or vanishes over a day or week. If something happens to your dog, ensure you have the phone number of a reliable vet available. Alternatively, if your primary care veterinarian cannot assist you, you can seek assistance from an animal dentist specializing in dental care services. They can also help you with your pet’s care.
Inspect the Limp
Inspect the paw for wounds or other damage. It’s easy to get rid of a limp when stepping on something sharp or sharp-edged. Search for odd things in the pads, nails, and spaces between the toes. Apply first aid and offer your dog additional treats and cuddles if you can identify the problem.
If your dog has a sprained or torn muscle, it’s suggested to put it down and take a break. If you can determine the origin of the pain, try using heat or cold to the area. Limit their movement and keep your dog from licking the injured area by putting them in a bed or box. Do not offer your pet medication without speaking to an internal medicine vet first.
Decide if It’s an Emergency
There are moments when you can’t wait and see. Visit with a vet if your dog shows indicators of distress. They may have a severe injury if the limp is substantial or they have not put any weight on their paws for more than fifteen minutes. While you do not wish to stand your dog up or bend the joint, there are indicators of extreme injuries, including open scrapes that aren’t healing, dangling limbs, breaks, or damaged nails.
If your dog exhibits any signs and symptoms, it’s time to take them to the veterinarian. Only when a dog is simply suffering or is unable to rest is it considered an emergency to see a vet for joint and bone illness symptoms. You can also seek help from vet websites like Aptos-CreeksidePets.com in case of emergency.
Final Thoughts
The ideal method to stop your dog from acquiring a strain or sprain is to keep their weight in check and exercise consistently. Overweight pets and those physically inactive have a greater danger of going through an injury like this.
