How to Treat a Limping Dog at Home?

Signs of Limping in Dogs

The most obvious sign that your dog has been hurt will be it is limping. Your dog would typically refuse to put weight on the leg that is injured. Other signs that your dog is hurt are

• The reluctance to enjoy the physical activity that it usually does.
• Crying out in pain when the affected limb is touched.
• Being hesitant to step forward while climbing the stairs.

How to Treat a Limping Dog at Home? Common Causes for Limping in Dogs

Injury of the Paw

1. Any foreign bodies like thorns, broken glass or other sharp objects can get lodged in your pet’s paw. This will cause pain and discomfort while walking or even standing.
2. You may find your dog limping because of reasons such as frostbite, burns, or any other wounds that can cause hurt and make your dog lick its paw persistently.
3. Injury of any part of the leg, such as broken bones, dislocations, sprains injury to the joint or spine, may also cause limping of varying severity ranging from moderate to severe. Ligament tear is a common condition in dogs, and limping is a prominent symptom.

Joint Disease

How to Treat a Limping Dog at Home – Wear and tear of muscles or joints can also result in limping. Common medical issues include

1. Hip dysplasia.
2. Elbow dysplasia.
3. Intervertebral disk disease.
4. Osteoarthritis is an age-related issue in dogs.
5. Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) affects younger dogs mainly. It causes abnormal cartilage development.
6. In smaller breeds of dogs, a luxating patella is more common. Affected dogs may limp. This could be due to knee caps sliding out of the groove in the femur.

Infections

Infections can be weirdly painful for dogs, just like humans. They restrict their movements and cause unnecessary bothering.

1. Lyme disease- This is a tick-related infection that can result in limping
2. Skin infections of the paws include interdigital pyoderma, abscesses, pododermatitis, etc.

Bone Diseases

Sometimes bone diseases can cause swelling and pain, followed by a lack of appetite and mood swings. Dogs would hate to move their body, and hence, it’s advisable to consult a vet regarding the seriousness of the disease.

1. Hypertrophic osteodystrophy and panosteitis are common conditions found in large breed puppies. Affected puppies may walk with a limp because of the pain.
2. Certain types of cancers, like osteosarcoma, affect the bones. This is more common in larger breed dogs.

The Severity of the Limp

If you notice your dog limping, you should first assess how serious the problem is. Carefully watch your dog walking and identify which leg is hurt.

Check whether your dog can put weight on the affected leg. Observe if he carries it around while walking. Watch if your pet’s steps are shorter than usual. Does the problem leg touch the ground?

Duration of the Problem of Limping

It would be best if you determined several things related to your dog’s limp. Check whether it occurred suddenly or gradually. Check if there are signs of trauma. Check whether limping becomes worse at certain times of the day or after specific activities.

If the dog limping is sudden, it could be due to trauma or injury. While if it is gradual, it can be associated with conditions such as osteoarthritis, etc.

How to Treat a Limp at Home?

First, carefully examine your dog’s paw for any signs of injury or pain. There could be an embedded foreign body or an injury-causing your dog to limp. If you don’t find anything, move further up to your pet’s wrists, ankles, elbows, knees, and hips for any signs of abnormality.

Suppose there are no apparent signs of breaks or dislocation, and your dog can hobble. You may not have to place the leg on a splint.

Confine your pet to a crate or small room to restrict his movements and let his leg heal. You need to closely monitor the condition for any signs of the limp worsening or the development of swelling or inflammation. In both cases, the attention of a vet is necessary.

Treating Non-Emergency Cases of Limp in Dogs

If the condition of limping is not that serious and very much treatable, then you can be their vet at home. Please go and read the guidelines and be very cautious about handling their limbs.

Foreign Body

Make sure that the object is completely removed. Clean the wound using antibacterial soap. In case there is swelling, soak the affected foot in warm water with Epson salts.

Use a clean towel to wipe the damage entirely before applying an antibiotic ointment. Not getting the foreign body out can sometimes cause a severe infection. Insect bites, animal bites, bee stings, and minor injuries can also cause limping.

Bee stings should be carefully handled to avoid squeezing the venom out of the sac, which could cause more harm.

Injured Paw Pads or Broken Nails

 In case there is bleeding, you should control it first before treating the problem. Using a clean towel apply pressure on the wound.

Applying an ice pack can help in the constriction of blood vessels in the area. In case the bleeding doesn’t stop, you should take your dog to the vet immediately.

Bruise or Pain with Swelling

Apply ice packs to the wound for 15 minutes twice a day. Alternatively, place your dog in a tub and spray the affected part with a hose for 15 minutes twice a day. Flowing water can also help in aiding circulation, reduce swelling and promote healing.

Abscess

Apply a warm compress to the affected area or soak the affected area in warm water along with Epsom salts. When the abscess ruptures, it is advisable to take your pet to the vet to give appropriate medication.

Never try to self-medicate with medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen without being advised by a vet.

When is Limping an Emergency?

Dislocation, fracture, or limbs dangling at an abnormal angle or bones piercing out of the skin are all indications that it is an emergency. In some cases, there can be swelling as well as bleeding. It can even lead to nerve damage.

Rush your dog to the vet in the following situations

1. Limping persists for more than 24 hours
2. You suspect a fracture
3. There is severe pain and swelling
4. The dog is unable to stand
5. The affected limb continues to be dragged while walking

Primary Therapy for Limping in Dogs

Below are some basic therapy systems you will generally hear from your vet or read the same online. But it is recommended not to try them at home. Instead, consult the vet before your dog’s treatment.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

If the cause of injury cannot be established, a steroid injection may be recommended by your vet. This type of medication can help ease swelling and inflammation.

However, frequent or continued usage can lead to serious side effects, including conditions such as damage to the kidney or liver and stomach ulcers.

Natural Home Remedies

Sometimes the limping may not be very severe and can be treated at home.

1. Herbs such as bromelain, parsley, and garlic have anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to ease swelling and pain.
2. Massaging the affected joint using cinnamon or peppermint can ease the pain and improve blood circulation to the area. It can promote the healing of damaged tissues, soothe the patient and help restore motion.
3. You can ask your vet for advice on acupressure techniques that can be done at home.
4. Supplements such as Omega fatty acids, Vitamin C, Glucosamine, and chondroitin can promote the healing of the wound and reduce or prevent the inflammation of the joint.

Some problems that cause limping cannot be diagnosed without the help of an X-ray or blood work and may even require surgery. A tick-borne disease needs appropriate medication to heal.

A broken leg caused by osteosarcoma needs prompt and aggressive medical intervention, or things could get fatal. Less traumatic injuries can be recovered using proper at-home methods and lots of loving and care.