When you observe dog limping and difficulty in walking, it could be attributed to various factors. Here are some of the most common causes of dog limping which can help in the management of the condition.
For those who encounter this problem in a dog that is younger such as less than a year old you will generally find that whatever the problem is will resolve itself within a week. Many times dog owners will find their dogs are suffering from smaller problems that are causing them to do this such as a splinter or a bruise. When dogs are younger they will be more prone to wandering and exploring causing them to be more prone to getting splinters and bumping into things or being clumsy making them bruise.
Dog limping is self-limiting if it occurred before the puppy reached the first year of life. It is expected that your pet will regain functional status of the affected limb in a matter of weeks. For a much reliable diagnosis and treatment of the cause of dog limping, expert evaluation and opinion form a veterinarian should be sought. Routine physical examination and evaluation of the body's functionality is initially done with subsequent laboratory evaluation as necessary. This will aid in the selection of special treatment needed for the particular case.
Careful observation is necessary for severe cases of dog limping since it can be a potential threat to loss of functional ability. To give appropriate treatment and care, your pet needs further evaluation by a veterinarian.
As such, appropriate tools will be used in the diagnosis. Physical evaluation of the joint and surrounding tissues should be done as soon as possible. Oftentimes, swelling of the tissue space can cause added pressure over the innervations of the joint which can elicit pain. Reaction to painful stimuli will also be a good basis to evaluate the character of pain. Some dogs overly react with small pain stimulus and prompts further evaluation using X-ray.
Simple cases of limping don't necessarily involve the joints. It can be of other origin such as ingrown nail, lacerations on the paws, and puncture wounds. This can be managed using conservative therapy. Treat open lacerations to prevent infection as well as ingrown toenail.
If you are concerned over your limping dog it is always a good idea to talk to their veterinarian about any of your concerns. Often they will be able to go over any other possibilities and assist you in working out ways to help your pet feel better and help them get around even with their limp.
For those who encounter this problem in a dog that is younger such as less than a year old you will generally find that whatever the problem is will resolve itself within a week. Many times dog owners will find their dogs are suffering from smaller problems that are causing them to do this such as a splinter or a bruise. When dogs are younger they will be more prone to wandering and exploring causing them to be more prone to getting splinters and bumping into things or being clumsy making them bruise.
Dog limping is self-limiting if it occurred before the puppy reached the first year of life. It is expected that your pet will regain functional status of the affected limb in a matter of weeks. For a much reliable diagnosis and treatment of the cause of dog limping, expert evaluation and opinion form a veterinarian should be sought. Routine physical examination and evaluation of the body's functionality is initially done with subsequent laboratory evaluation as necessary. This will aid in the selection of special treatment needed for the particular case.
Careful observation is necessary for severe cases of dog limping since it can be a potential threat to loss of functional ability. To give appropriate treatment and care, your pet needs further evaluation by a veterinarian.
As such, appropriate tools will be used in the diagnosis. Physical evaluation of the joint and surrounding tissues should be done as soon as possible. Oftentimes, swelling of the tissue space can cause added pressure over the innervations of the joint which can elicit pain. Reaction to painful stimuli will also be a good basis to evaluate the character of pain. Some dogs overly react with small pain stimulus and prompts further evaluation using X-ray.
Simple cases of limping don't necessarily involve the joints. It can be of other origin such as ingrown nail, lacerations on the paws, and puncture wounds. This can be managed using conservative therapy. Treat open lacerations to prevent infection as well as ingrown toenail.
If you are concerned over your limping dog it is always a good idea to talk to their veterinarian about any of your concerns. Often they will be able to go over any other possibilities and assist you in working out ways to help your pet feel better and help them get around even with their limp.
About the Author:
David Cheng is a competent writer who writes articles about arthritis in dogs. He has been writing for sites such as this to share his background in arthritis in dogs with others.
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