If you’re asking yourself, “Why is my dog limping?” You are not the only one. Limping is quite often a sign of injury to a dog and is one of the top reasons why a dog owner is up at night searching for information on the internet or calling their veterinarian in a panic. In many cases, the injury will not be serious, and the dog can be treated by simply applying ice or resting for a little while after stepping onto something sharp or lying down awkwardly. In other cases, an injury to the ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, could occur.
To better understand why dogs limp, we can break it down into categories to help you understand what’s going on, what to look for, and what to do if your dog has a limp.
Why Dogs Limp
The same as people, when a dog injures a muscle, ligament, or joint, they can become limping. Dogs can also develop muscle strains and sprains, arthritis, and fractures, and are often simply sore. It is important to remember that when a dog is limping, it does not mean they have any particular diagnosis; it is more of a symptom.
When a dog begins to limp suddenly, especially from the back legs, the first possible cause that we think of is an:
ACL or CCL injury – the #1 orthopedic injury in dogs
The ACL is one of the major supportive ligaments in the knee of the dog. Your dog may limp or will not be able to use the injured leg if they sustain a partial tear, a complete rupture, or if the ACL has a weakened section.
Why Is My Dog Limping on the Back Leg?
The first question from a parent is “Why is my dog limping on his/her back leg?”, or searches “dog limping”, suggesting the most common reason would be an injury to the ACL. During physical activity, dogs typically get into these types of injuries while running, turning quickly, jumping, and just possibly taking one step. There are some early warning signs regarding potential ACL injury in canines.
- Sudden limping or not putting any weight on a single hind leg;
- Any failure to be able to rise from a resting or sleep state;
- Hearing a clicking sound in the joint while walking/running;
- Difficulty standing;
- Stiffness following physical activity;
- Sitting in a position where the damaged limb is held away from the body;
- Limping is relieved with rest for a short time.
One major source of confusion when assessing limping in dogs is that a dog can have a significant limp yet show no apparent signs of discomfort. Dogs are able to mask pain remarkably well, and while some may show signs of pain, they will still be very cautious about how they act.
Why Dog Limp in the Front Leg
Limping in the front leg is usually caused by one of the following:
- Elbow dysplasia
- Wrist/shoulder strain
- Cuts on the paw pad
- Torn dewclaws
- Arthritis
- Neck pain radiating to the leg
No matter what the cause, a dog that is limping — in either front or back — should be examined by a veterinarian, regardless of how long the limping has been present or how long it may be recurrent.
Why Does an ACL Injury Worsen Over Time?
An ACL injury has little blood supply and is unlikely to heal without treatment (partial tears). A dog with a partial tear that goes untreated will likely have a complete tear. To make matters worse, the opposite leg is also at high risk due to compensating activity.
Did you know:
“According to veterinary orthopedic studies, approximately 40% – 60% of dogs who tear their ACL will tear the other ACL within one year if the first ACL is not treated properly.”
That is why early detection and management of the injury is crucial.
What Do You Do If Your Dog Is Limping?
If you are trying to determine what you should do if your dog is limping, here is a simple step-by-step approach:
- Immediate Rest
No running, jumping, or climbing stairs. The first step to treating a dog with limping is rest.
- Investigate the Paws
Look for thorns, cuts, swelling, cracked paw pads, or anything that may have lodged in between the toes. Sometimes the cause is very simple.
- Apply a Cold Compress for the first 24 – 48 hours
After injury, apply a cold compress to the area of the injury. This is important for reducing swelling and inflammation associated with acute injuries.
- Limit Your Dog’s Movement
If they have to go outside, make sure to keep them on a leash until they have completely recovered from their injury. You should take any limp caused by an injury very seriously; treat any animal with a limp the same way you would treat a person with a limp.
- Do not give your Pet Human Medications
Many of these medications, for example, ibuprofen and naproxen, are toxic to dogs.
- If your dog’s limping for more than 24 hours, contact your veterinarian immediately.
If you suspect your dog might have an ACL tear, you should not wait longer; you need to have the vet evaluate your dog.
Dog Limping and When to See the Vet
If your dog limps and you notice the following signs:
- You cannot bear weight on the affected leg at any time.
- Swelling at or near the affected joint, or redness associated with the affected joint
- Crying out in pain when you touch the affected leg
- You notice your pet dragging the affected leg
- Your pet continues to limp after you have given them less than 12 hours of rest from their activities
- Your pet demonstrates a lack of interest in eating and/or exhibits lethargy in addition to limping.
Veterinarians typically perform a test called the “drawer test” to evaluate the instability of your dog’s knee when they suspect ACL injury. They may also take X-rays to rule out any other possible injuries to the knee or damage to the surrounding joints.
What Treatments Look Like
Treatment for ACL injuries will depend on whether or not it is partially torn, completely ruptured, or strained.
Conservative Management
- It is most appropriate for either small-breed dogs or small partial tears of the ACL.
- Prolonged Rest (8-12 weeks) – Rest is very critical for healing.
- Medication – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are available at your veterinarian’s office and may help reduce pain and swelling.
- Joint Supplements – There are a variety of over-the-counter supplements (such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin) that are beneficial for dogs with ACL injuries. Supplements should be discussed and approved by your veterinarian.
- Cold Laser Therapy – Cold laser treatment provides pain relief and can speed up the healing process of injuries in dogs with ACL injuries.
- Weight Control – Weight management is a critical component of preventing limb lacerations.
Surgical Options
For large and medium breeds:
- Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy
- Tibial Tuberosity Advancement
- Lateral Suture Repair for Smaller Breeds
Success rates for ACL surgeries are very high, and most dogs will be able to return to their previous level of activity following surgery.
Preventing Future Injuries
There are steps you can take to reduce the risk of your dog injuring its ACL again, including:
- Maintaining a healthy weight for your dog
- Providing regular, controlled exercise to build muscle
- Using ramps for older dogs instead of allowing them to use stairs to get to high surfaces
- Keeping your dog away from slippery surfaces
- Providing low-intensity exercise to warm your dog up before high-intensity exercises or play
Conclusion
If you ever find yourself in doubt about your dog’s limping, contact your veterinarian. Lack of weight on a limb may be the first symptom of a serious problem with your dog that may require medical attention. The earlier you address your dog’s ACL injury or other issues, the better chance your dog has of a good recovery.
FAQs
Why did my dog suddenly start limping?
Limping usually means that your dog suffered an acute injury to that limb, such as a muscle strain or sprain, partial tear of the ACL ligament, or a wrong landing while playing. Dogs can also suddenly limp due to accidents where they step on sharp objects.
My dog is showing signs of lameness, but there are no signs of pain; should I be concerned?
Yes, all dogs will instinctively hide their pain from their owner. A limp is an indicator of pain, even when the dog isn’t vocalizing it. If the limp continues for more than a day, it’s best to keep a close watch and consult a veterinarian if the limp persists longer than that.
Why is my dog limping on the front leg vs the back leg?
The primary difference between a dog with a limp on its front leg and one with a limp on its back leg is that a limp on the front leg usually suggests there are either issues with the shoulder, elbow, or paw, whereas a limp on the back leg is often associated with problems within the knee joint, such as an ACL injury.
How can I tell if my dog tore its ACL?
Some of the typical signs to look for if you suspect your dog has torn its ACL are sudden onset of pain in the back leg, difficulty in standing up, joint stiffness, and the leg sometimes giving way. You will need to take your dog to a veterinarian for confirmation of an ACL tear through a drawer test or by imaging, which may include X-rays or MRIs.
Should I go to the vet for a dog limping, even if it seems mild?
If your dog continues to limp for longer than a day and it doesn’t appear to be getting worse or has odd behaviors, you should visit the vet for further evaluation. Many small injuries that are treated early will not develop into larger problems.
