Why is my dog limping? Causes and when to see a vet

A limp means your dog is not using a limb normally. Pain is common, but weakness or a nerve problem can also affect walking. Causes range from a sore paw to a fracture or joint injury, and an absence of crying does not show that the problem is mild. Watch how the dog moves without forcing the leg, note when it started and contact your vet for guidance. VCA’s limping first-aid guide explains the range of possible causes.

What are the common causes of limping?

Soft-tissue strains from over-exercise are the everyday cause, and these often ease with a day or two of rest. Paw problems come a close second: a cut pad, a torn nail, a grass seed, or a burn from hot pavement, which is a genuine risk on Singapore's midday concrete. Older dogs frequently limp because of osteoarthritis, a wearing of the joints that stiffens them, typically worse after rest. More serious causes include ligament and joint injuries such as a cruciate tear, fractures, and, in some breeds, developmental problems like hip or elbow dysplasia. Our guide to arthritis in dogs covers the long-term end of that range in more detail.

How do I tell a minor limp from a serious one?

Grade it by weight-bearing and how it changes. A mild limp, where the dog still uses the leg and the limp eases with rest, can reasonably be watched for a day. A dog that will not put any weight on the leg, holds it up, or drags it, is at the serious end. Swelling, heat in the limb, an open wound, a limb at an odd angle, or crying out on movement all raise the urgency. Sudden non-weight-bearing lameness, or any limp following a fall or a road accident, should be treated as an emergency even if the dog seems otherwise calm, because fractures and internal injury are not always obvious from the outside. The American Kennel Club uses the same weight-bearing test as a first triage.

When should I see a vet?

See a vet promptly if the limp comes with obvious pain, swelling, heat, a wound, or a limb held up or dragging, or if it simply does not improve within a day of rest. Get emergency help at once for a sudden non-weight-bearing limp, a suspected fracture, or a limp after trauma; a 24-hour or emergency vet is the right call in those cases. Do not give human painkillers without veterinary instructions. Ibuprofen and inappropriate doses of paracetamol can cause serious poisoning. Paracetamol is sometimes prescribed for dogs, but a vet must choose the medicine and dose.

How will a vet diagnose and treat a limp?

Your vet may watch your dog move, examine the paw and limb and assess joints and nerves. Imaging or sedation may be needed depending on the findings. Treatment can range from prescribed rest and pain relief to surgery or rehabilitation. A licensed clinic does not necessarily offer every specialist test or rehabilitation service on site; ask whether referral is appropriate and how exercise should be restricted until the cause is known.

A mild limp may improve with rest, but improvement does not prove the cause. Seek prompt advice for a persistent or recurring limp, and urgent help for inability to bear weight, trauma, marked pain, swelling or weakness. Avoid trying to make your dog walk an injury off.