Dog leg injuries are very common problems for pet owners. Usually a dog will begin limping once an injury to the leg or paw has occurred. The source of the pain can come from a variety of places including the skin, muscles, ligaments, tendons, or bones.
Dog Paw Injuries
Inspect the paw, looking for cuts, punctures, or swollen areas. A dog with an injured paw will usually react to pressure being put on the area of injury. A veterinarian will be needed if the dog has a deep cut or an object embedded in the paw. A dog’s paw can also become sore if there is a problem with one of the nails. Check to see if any of the nails appear torn, cracked, or are bleeding. The damaged part of the nail must be removed. This can be done at home or by a veterinarian. Since this type of injury is likely to become infected, it may be necessary to get the dog antibiotic treatment.
Muscular Injuries in Dogs
Muscle injuries, including sprains and strains, are very common in dogs. This type of injury in a dog is characterized by swelling and a loss of the ability to move the injured joint. Dogs with a muscle injury will usually be able to place some weight on the hurt leg. Veterinary help should be sought if a dog’s limping has not improved in 3 to 5 days.
Canine Tendon or Ligament Injury
The most common serious orthopedic injury in dogs is a torn anterior cruciate ligament. This injury usually happens when a dog turns or stops suddenly while running, and can commonly occur in large breed dogs who are tired and/or overweight. Torn anterior cruciate ligaments in dogs must almost always be repaired by surgery.
Tendon tears or strain are not as common in dogs as ligament injuries. Tendonitis in dogs, or inflammation of the tendon, can occasionally occur with excessive running or jumping. Treatment for tendonitis in dogs involves rest and anti-inflammatory drugs. Usually, it is quite obvious when a dog injures a ligament or tendon in the leg because limping will develop immediately following injury and the dog will usually cry out in pain when the damage first occurs. A dog with a tendon or ligament injury will feel pain when pressure is applied, and the affected leg may not exhibit full range of motion.
Bone Fractures in Dogs
Bone fractures can occur in dogs when there is excessive stress placed on the skeletal system. The following types of bone fractures are seen in dogs:
- Closed fracture – The bone is broken, but the skin is intact.
- Compound fracture – The bone protrudes through the skin.
- Epiphyseal fracture – A growth plate is fractured.
- Greenstick fracture – The bone is cracked.
A dog with a broken bone will usually refuse to place any weight on the leg. Bone fractures in dogs may need to be realigned with surgery, casts, pins, plates, or screws.
A veterinarian should always be immediately consulted if a dog is unwilling to place any weight on a leg, is bleeding extensively, or has deep cuts. The veterinarian will examine the leg, observe the dog in motion, and may order x-rays to determine the cause of the limping.
ReferencesDogChannel.com
Megan Doyle - Megan is very passionate about learning. She enjoys keeping up to date with and writing about breakthroughs in the fields of health and ...
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