My pup, Aston, is nearly two years old. A couple of days ago, he started limping. I don't know what happened but he hasn't been able to put any pressure on his right front paw. He has had a couple of leg injuries in the past where he limped for a couple of days and then was back to normal. But I don't like taking chances with injuries and want to make sure he isn't dealing with something serious.
I've lightly pressed his leg from top to bottom to see if that gets a reaction out of him and it doesn't so I'm fairly certain it isn't a bone issue. I've also flexed his joints and that, too, doesn't get a reaction out of him. Nevertheless, watching him limp is painful to watch. At the same time, he doesn't do well at the vet's office: he gets really nervous and aggressive and needs to be restrained. I have also made the mistake of rushing him to the vet way too quickly in the past.
So when do you decide it is necessary to take him to a vet for an injury like this?
From my experience, rest your dog for two weeks. Only leashed, moderate walks, 10-15 minutes. If you have any anti-inflamatories from previous injuries you could give those too. If you don't see improve during the rest time, then take your dog to the vet. If your dog starts to limp after resting, take your dog to the ortho vet.
Our previous dog sometimes would have front limp soreness from digging gofers or in the sand. It would go away in 2 days. Our current dog has had torn ligaments in where the limping does not go away. She seemed to be good for a couple days, then limping - the on and off limping happened for 2 months, finally decided to have a surgery.
Did you check out the paw pads/nails and palpitate the toes? Sometimes a toe break will cause limping and with the frozen ground that doesn't give, could be he got a stress fracture on one toe.
Tuke acted like this with her toe fracture. She takes the first step off our deck then jumps the rest, she also likes to "bank" hard off of walls & our fence when playing ball, both put a lot of pressure on the front paws. There was no noticeable injury or accident and she too would let you mess with it.
After resting for a couple weeks, if it returns, I'd get an X-ray done. Do you use a muzzle at the vet? If Aston gets overly anxious and I'm not sure vets do this, but can they give him something to relax him? May not be ideal, but the vet could then give a proper exam. Hope the rest takes care of it, good luck.
As far as vet visits go, Aston doesn't do muzzles either. I have spoken to my old vet about medicines and she did give me something to calm him down but I've heard those meds aren't good for the pooch. Nevertheless, if that is what's necessary, I'll have to do it.
My boy was limping after a run, when i got him home i looked in between his little toes and sure enough he had a 2 inch thorn inbetween them. I disinfected his foot and bought him shoes, the balloon ones that are vibrant blue and make him look extra flashy.
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