Dog limping: common causes and when it is urgent

Reading time 6 min · Level 1: Why the symptom happens

The short answer: A dog that is limping is in pain, even if it shows it in no other way. Most often it is something in the paw, a broken claw or a sprain, and then it should be clearly better by the next day. If the dog does not put any weight on the leg, the leg is swollen, it is a puppy or the dog is also off colour, it should see a vet the same day. Limping that comes and goes, or has not gone within a couple of days, should be examined. In older dogs that limp most after resting, arthritis is a common explanation.

Limping means pain

Lameness is one of the most common reasons dogs are taken to the vet¹. When a dog limps, it is a sign that something hurts somewhere in the leg, the paw or sometimes the back². It is common for the dog not to show the pain in any other way³. It eats, wags its tail and is keen to go out. That does not mean it is not hurting.

Limping can look very different. Some comes on suddenly, some creeps up. Some shows mostly after rest, some after activity. In mild cases the dog just takes a little weight off the leg. In severe cases it is non-weight-bearing, meaning it does not put the leg down at all and hops on three¹.

How to tell which leg it is

It is harder than you might think, especially with the hind legs. Have someone else walk the dog on a lead on level ground, straight towards you and straight away from you, at both walk and trot. A sore front leg often shows as the head bobbing up when the painful leg touches the ground. A sore hind leg can show as the hip on that side moving more. Film it if you can. AniCura advises filming at both walk and trot, from straight in front, straight behind and from both sides, with the camera at the dog's height⁴. Limps that come and go also have a habit of disappearing just as you arrive at the clinic.

Common causes

1. Something in the paw. A broken claw, a cut pad, a splinter or an abscess between the toes. Broken claws are a common cause of limping and sometimes bleed¹. A deep cut in the paw can damage tendons or become infected, so even small wounds may need to be assessed by a vet².

2. Sprains and strains. The dog has stepped awkwardly or slipped. If the dog is not swollen or non-weight-bearing, strict rest may be the best treatment, but there should be a clear improvement the next day¹.

3. Cruciate ligament injury. Sudden lameness in a hind leg, limping that comes and goes or a swollen knee can point to the cruciate ligament¹.

4. Slipping kneecap. Patellar luxation is more common in small dogs. The dog skips on a walk, holds up the hind leg for a moment and then walks normally again¹.

5. Joint disease in young dogs. Hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and osteochondrosis are developmental joint disorders and more common in large, fast-growing breeds¹. Young dogs with a limp should be examined early, because some joint diseases caught in time can be treated with good results but may cause lasting damage if left³.

6. Arthritis in older dogs. The cartilage in the joint thins and the joint becomes stiff and sore. Typically the dog is stiff or lame after rest and then warms up³. Arthritis can also come to light when the dog steps awkwardly and the affected joint suddenly flares up². In a British study of more than 455,000 dogs, 2.5 per cent had been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in the limb joints during one year, and the risk was higher in dogs over eight, in heavier dogs and in breeds such as Labradors and Golden Retrievers⁵.

7. Fractures and tumours. A broken bone usually causes non-weight-bearing lameness and severe pain after an accident¹. Sometimes a bone tumour such as osteosarcoma is behind it¹, which is one of the reasons an unexplained limp should never be left to go on for long.

When to see the vet

Agria divides lameness into three levels¹:

Urgent, the same day:

• The dog does not put any weight on the leg.
• The leg or joint is swollen and tender.
• It is a puppy that is limping.
• The dog is also generally unwell, for example vomiting or feverish.

Obvious serious injuries after an accident, large wounds and wounds close to a joint should also be seen straight away³.

Book an appointment if the limp comes and goes, or has not gone within a couple of days.

Wait and watch if the dog gets clearly better during the day or by the next day.

At the vet you will often be asked to walk and trot the dog on a lead while the vet watches how it moves. X-rays are common, and sometimes a CT scan or keyhole surgery is needed to find the cause. It can help if the dog has not eaten before the visit, since it may need sedation. Water is fine³.

What you can do yourself

Check the paw. Go over the pads, claws and the skin between the toes in good light. A broken claw or a splinter often explains a sudden limp.

Let the dog rest. Until the dog has been examined: short lead walks for toilet breaks, no stairs, no play and no jumping on or off the sofa or out of the car³.

Never give human painkillers. Several common over-the-counter painkillers are dangerous for dogs. Pain relief should be prescribed by the vet².

Watch the weight. A normal body condition, good fitness and well-trained muscles reduce the load on the joints¹. For a dog with arthritis, this is one of the things that makes the biggest difference day to day.

Take notes. When did it start, which leg, worse after rest or after activity? Together with a video, it makes the vet visit much easier.

Frequently asked questions

My dog is limping but does not seem to be in pain. Can I wait?

Limping is in itself a sign of pain, and many dogs show pain in no other way³. If it is not clearly better by the next day, or it comes back, book an appointment.

Why does my dog limp only after lying down?

Stiffness and lameness after rest that eases once the dog has walked a while is typical of arthritis³. It is worth an examination, as there are several ways to keep the pain under control.

Can I give my dog paracetamol or ibuprofen?

No. Never give human medicines unless the vet has prescribed them.

My puppy is limping after playing. Is it serious?

Puppies with a limp should always be seen urgently¹. The skeleton is still growing, and injuries to the growth plates or joint disease need to be found early.

That was the short answer. If you have a question about your own pet, email us at info@herbiovet.se. We reply within one working day.