Dogs have two more legs than we do, but despite their numerical advantage, they still limp when they have a hurt leg or foot. Although most limps need veterinary attention, there are a few first aid measures you can perform at home if your dog begins to hobble around.
What causes lameness?
Lameness occurs due to the injury or debilitation of one or more parts of the leg: bones, muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, or skin. The cause of some limps is obvious. With a broken bone or dislocated joint, there may be swelling, and the leg may sit at an awkward angle. Lameness due to skin infection of the feet will present as red, moist lesions between the toes. Deeper infections like an abscess will appear as a warm, soft to mildly firm swelling under the skin. In cases involving joints, nerves, tendons, and ligaments, there may be no external sign of injury at all.
How serious is a limp?
Some limps are more serious than others, so the first step in providing first aid is to assess the limp. Watch your dog walk. Identify the limping leg (right or left, front or rear). Does your dog carry the leg when walking, but balance on it when standing still? Does he walk on it but stumble a bit? Does he take shorter steps than normal? Does he keep the foot from touching the ground?
The second step is to establish a time frame. When did you first notice the limp? Did it start suddenly or come on gradually? Was trauma involved? Is the lameness worse at certain times of the day, like early morning or after exercise?
Should I try to examine the leg?
If your dog is in severe pain, do not attempt to examine him. Even if he is not in obvious discomfort, manipulating broken bones or dislocated joints can cause unnecessary pain and may worsen the injury. A simple rule of thumb to help determine the severity of the injury is that most dogs will not walk on a broken leg, torn ligament, or dislocated joint.
A good exam requires two people: one to examine the leg and one to restrain the dog. Dogs that are in pain may bite, even people they love so be cautious. If the exam becomes too painful for your pet, stop. The evaluation of most lame dogs is best left to a veterinarian, but here are a few pointers to help you determine if your veterinarian is needed immediately.
After you identify the injured leg, try to pinpoint where it hurts. Begin your exam with the toes. Look between the toes for foreign bodies (thorns, splinters, grass awns) or redness. Examine the pads for cuts or punctures and assess each toenail for breaks or nail bed infections. Apply gentle pressure to each toe and note painful areas. Most dogs will pull the leg back when you touch a sore spot.
Work your way up the limb identifying areas of tenderness by applying gentle pressure on each part of the leg. Note areas of swelling. Bend and flex joints. Resistance to bending a joint is a sign of pain. If something looks or feels unusual, compare it to the other leg. Then call your veterinarian with your observations.
What should I do for non-emergency limps?
- If you note a foreign bodybetween the toes and can reach it easily, remove it and clean the wound with anti-bacterial soap. Soak the foot in warm water with Epsom salts to relieve swelling. Then apply antibiotic ointment, such as Polysporin. You need to put an ecollar on to prevent your pet from licking his wound or it will get infected
- For cut or torn foot pads and broken nails, place an ecollar immediately to keep your pet from licking and take them to the vet as soon as you can.
- If your dog has swelling associated with a sprain, bruise, or tendonitis, apply ice packs to the area for 15 minutes twice daily. Flowing water improves circulation, reduces swelling, and promotes healing. Place your dog in a tub and swirl water around the leg or spray the leg with a hose for 15 minutes twice daily.
- For abscesses,apply warm compresses to the affected area or soak in warm Epsom salts bath. Take your dog to your veterinarian as soon as possible, as an abscess can become painful whether or not it ruptures.
- Confine lame dogsand restrict their activity.
- If lameness persists for more than 24 hours, seek veterinary care.
How is lameness in dogs treated?
Treatment depends on the injury that has caused the lameness. If the lameness is just from a soft tissue injury then resting the leg will help the lameness resolve and maybe all that is required. Medical advancements have improved the care available to lame dogs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) relieve pain and inflammation in acute injuries and are used long term for dogs with chronic arthritis. Additional drugs that may be used for pain control may include gabapentin or tramadol. There are also supplements that improve joint health and provide safe pain control such as glucosamine and omega 3 fatty acids.
For fractures, there are surgical and non-surgical treatments. Some broken legs are splinted or casted while others are repaired surgically with pins and plates. Dislocated joints are replaced and stabilized with bandages or slings. Stubborn joints that dislocate frequently are managed surgically to provide long-term relief.
