My Dog Is Limping — Is It Just a Strain?

Your dog comes back from a walk and suddenly they’re limping.

They seem happy enough. They’re still interested in their dinner. They might even try to convince you that they are perfectly capable of chasing a ball.

So is it okay to wait and see?

Sometimes a limp is caused by something relatively simple, such as a minor injury. But limping can also be an early sign of joint, ligament, bone or neurological disease.

At Milton Keynes Veterinary Group, one of the most useful things you can do before an appointment is simply notice how your dog is moving.

Dogs don’t always limp dramatically

A common assumption is that if a dog is in pain, they will obviously hold a leg completely off the ground.

That isn’t always the case.

Some dogs develop a very subtle change in the way they walk. You may notice that your dog:

• Takes shorter steps
• Is slower getting up
• Hesitates before jumping into the car
• Doesn’t want to use the stairs
• Sits differently
• Stops playing sooner
• Licks one particular leg
• Seems stiff after resting
• Is less enthusiastic about walks

Owners sometimes put these changes down to their dog “getting older”.

But ageing itself isn’t a diagnosis.

What could be causing the limp?

There are many possibilities.

A problem with the paw could be responsible — perhaps a damaged nail, sore pad or something stuck between the toes.

A muscle or tendon injury can cause lameness too.

Then there are problems affecting the joints, including arthritis, hip dysplasia, elbow disease and kneecap problems.

One condition vets are particularly alert to in dogs is cruciate ligament disease.

The cruciate ligaments help stabilise the knee. Damage can range from a partial tear to a complete rupture, and it can sometimes occur following an obvious twist or awkward movement. In other dogs, the ligament becomes progressively weaker before eventually failing.

That means the moment an owner notices the limp isn’t necessarily the moment the underlying problem began.

Why does my vet move the leg around?

The orthopaedic examination is designed to work out where the problem might be coming from.

Your vet may watch your dog walk and trot, examine their paws and nails, feel the muscles and joints and gently move different joints through their range of motion.

They are looking for things such as:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Reduced movement
• Instability
• Muscle loss
• Differences between the two sides

Sometimes the source of the pain isn’t immediately obvious. Dogs can compensate surprisingly well, and a problem in one part of the body can affect the way they use another limb.

Why might my dog need an X-ray?

An X-ray can provide information that can’t be gained from an external examination.

It can help assess bones and joints and may reveal changes associated with arthritis, fractures or other conditions.

However, not every limp automatically needs an X-ray.

Your vet will decide whether imaging is appropriate based on your dog’s examination, history and the suspected cause.

What can I do before the appointment?

If your dog is safe and comfortable enough to walk, take a short video of them moving at home.

This can be surprisingly useful.

Dogs sometimes move differently in the consultation room because they’re excited, anxious or simply distracted. A video showing how they walk normally around the house or garden can give your vet another piece of the puzzle.

Also make a note of when you first noticed the problem and whether it is worse after exercise or after resting.

When is a limp urgent?

Contact your vet promptly if your dog develops a new limp, particularly if it isn’t improving.

Seek urgent veterinary advice if your dog:

• Cannot put weight on a leg
• Is showing severe pain
• Has significant swelling
• Has suffered trauma
• Has an obvious wound or deformity
• Becomes very distressed or unwell

Don’t wait for your dog to stop walking

One of the most important things to remember is that dogs can continue to enjoy life despite discomfort.

A dog who still wants to go for a walk can still have a painful joint.

At Milton Keynes Veterinary Group, our vets can assess a new or persistent limp and help establish whether it is likely to be a minor injury or something that needs further investigation.

The earlier an underlying joint or orthopaedic problem is recognised, the more options there may be for managing your dog’s comfort and mobility.