Lameness can affect all four limbs of dogs. However, in this article on our site we will deal with the one that affects the forelimbs, that is, the front legs, of dogs.
There are numerous causes of lameness, in addition, it can be painful or not, be accompanied by inflammation or wounds or occur only when the dog gets up after being inactive. Each of them has different characteristics, reasons and treatments, so it is necessary to know them, so we will know how to act before them.
Types of lameness according to cause or origin
Suddenly we notice that our four-legged friend is not walking well, he lifts one of his legs when he walks and limps or he has a leg that is swollen and it hurtsWhat could have happened to him? There are many reasons why a dog can start to limp, some of them are:
- You Been knocked or fell and hurt your leg, this can range from a concussion to something more serious like bone fractures.
- There is something stuck, foreign bodies cause pain, inflammation and if they are not removed soon, also infections that make it impossible to walk normally.
- Joint alterations and diseases, some of them are osteochondritis dissecans or necrosis of the head of the humerus as well as osteoarthritis.
It may be difficult for us to determine the cause of the lameness, unless we have witnessed our pet hitting something or taking a bad jump, for example. Likewise, there may be sudden lameness, which appear without warning, or else progressive, in which they may not be barely noticeable at first but gradually worsen.
In veterinary medicine lameness is divided into three types, depending on its origin:
- Functional lameness: is one whose cause is a malformation or mechanical alteration of the joints or the bone system.
- Painful limp: caused by a joint injury or fracture, the presence of pain being characteristic to a greater or lesser extent.
- Neurological: in this case the lameness comes from a deficit or alteration of the central nervous system, which leads to musculoskeletal malfunction. It is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as canine ataxia or gait incoordination.
My dog limps on one front leg when he has been lying down
When our animal limps, especially when it happens after being at rest or sleeping, it is said that it suffers from a cold limp, because normally when walk a little and warm up the limp disappears. We observed that the dog limps when getting up from sleep and even that the dog limps in one front leg when it gets up.
Normally this type of limp will be of concern only if it is not an isolated case, in which it can be explained by the member becoming numb due to poor postureas it can happen to us more than once. However, if it is something that is repeated, we may be facing a more serious joint problem, so it is important to be vigilant and go to the vet if the event is repeated.
My dog limps on one hind leg and trembles
If our dog begins to limp in one of its hind legs, but also has tremors, we must go to a veterinary, especially if the intensity of tremors is high. In these cases, veterinarians warn of the importance of diagnostic tests, since tremors can be associated with neurological disorders or problems of the System Nervous, which can be aggravated if not treated promptly.
We must also take into account whether the tremor may be caused by other conditions such as low body temperature, restlessness or fear. Even so, it doesn't hurt for the vet to see our pet and find out why he has started to limp.
In this video owned by the UAB of Barcelona we observe various neurological tests in dogs and how they affect dogs, causing coordination problems among others:
My dog has fallen and is limping, how do I know if it is a fracture?
When we are clear that the lameness is due to a fall, we must be very cautious when analyzing the state of the leg, because depending on the fall, it may have occurredbone fracture or cracks , as well as muscle tears. So what do you do if your dog has a broken front leg?
It is especially important to go to the veterinary clinic urgently in those cases in which there are clear symptoms of fractures, as is the case of discomfort, pain or logically if malformations are appreciated in the limb or even if the bone has pierced the skin of the animal. A poorly healed fracture is much more difficult to treat and will cause much more suffering and pain to our dog.
My dog lifts his front leg, does it hurt?
In this case we are talking about a lifting limp, in which the dog lifts one leg while using the other three,jumping In these cases, it usually happens that the animal does not support the leg either because the muscle has been pinched and it cannot relax it or because supporting it hurts and it avoids doing so.
In these cases we have to assess whether the lameness lasts a short time, in this case it does not usually require more attention, or if itstays If the lameness does not disappear within a reasonable period of time, it is recommended to go to the vet, especially if we perceive pain, although in any case it is better that a specialist be the to assess the condition of his leg.
My dog limps in one front leg and it doesn't hurt, should I go to the vet? It may be due to a specific numbness of the limb, a mania or that at some point the leg has hurt and has gotten used to walking like that even though the pain has already disappeared. In these cases, it is best to pay attention to the limp, seeing if it is maintained or punctual, if it supports the leg sometimes yes and sometimes not or if it never supports it… Even if it is not painful, it is usually better than a veterinary see our pet and clarify the causes of his lameness.
My dog hurt his leg, what can I do?
If we see our friend starting to limp, staggering when walking, raising his leg or even showing signs of pain such as whining or crying, we can take some measures depending on the severity of the lameness and its cause.
- In lameness caused by fractures the most important thing is to go to a veterinarian, who will assess the severity of the fracture, carry out diagnostic tests, including x-rays, and according to what is established by the best treatment. In some cases it is enough to immobilize the limb and treat it with analgesics and anti-inflammatories, while multiple or more serious fractures may require surgical interventions.
- If the lameness is due to a muscle pull, it is important that the animal rests and does not perform vigorous exercise, as this would force your muscles and make the problem worse.
- When the lameness is due to other diseases, such as neurological ones, the most important thing is to treat the root of the problem, because in these cases lameness is just one of its symptoms.
- If it is due to a foreign body that has lodged in the dog's leg, it must be removed and treated with antibiotics, For this, you will have to go to a veterinarian. if it is a superficial wound, it will be enough to clean the area with a skin disinfectant and cover it if we are in the field or similar, to prevent dirt from entering the wound.
- For cases of lameness caused by degenerative diseases the best course of action is usually prevention, which includes exercising that strengthen joints or vitamin supplementation for this purpose.
If we see that our friend is limping a lot and it hurts, we can try to calm the pain by applying a little cold to the area and avoiding travel until we can see a vet.
My dog's paw is swollen
If our pet, in addition to limping, has inflammation of the leg, it may be due to two main reasons. One of them is that there has been a sprain or a dislocation, in these cases the joint is swollen and soft to the touch. It is then when the dog will be most relieved that we apply compresses or thermal cold packs, as this helps reduce inflammation.
After that, we have to take them to their doctor, so that he can see if it is a mild sprain or if it is a severe dislocation, since the treatment varies considerably depending on the severity of the injury.
This is because, while a sprain is a muscle problem that usually heals faster and hurts less, a dislocation refers to a bone that has slipped out of place. In this case, the pain is greater and the treatment is usually longer and more complex, having to strictly follow the doctor's instructions to avoid mishaps.
My dog suddenly limps
If all of a sudden our dog starts to limp, we have to stop and think if something could have happened that caused the limp, such as a fall, or if he has been sleeping or resting. If we are not able to identify the origin of the lameness, it is best to stop check the condition of his leg
In the event that the paw is swollen, has wounds or pain to the touch or when supported, as well as of course perceptible fractures, it is important that we take our dog to the veterinary In the best of cases it will simply be a numbness, but just in case it is better to be proactive and stay calm.
