My dog hurt his paw, limping, hiding, not eating. What should I do?

Limping is a sign of pain, and some dogs will have a poor appetite with higher levels of pain. I would recommend that Jax be checked out by a vet to figure out why he is limping (possible bone fracture, muscle sprain, muscle spasm, etc.) so that he can be appropriately treated. Other causes of a poor appetite in a puppy include nausea from dietary intolerance or indiscretion, food allergy, intestinal parasites, GI blockage, gastroenteritis, bacterial or viral infection, among a few others. These can be discussed at the same appointment that is made to have the limp checked out.

I am sorry to hear about Cinnamon! If this has been going on for several days I think it is time to take her in for an exam at the vet. She is in pain and it seems to be affecting her day to day activity. We could have a variety of causes including a small fracture in a toe, or a foreign body (like a splinter or grass awn) buried deep in the skin causing inflammation and pain. The vet may recommend an x-ray or may shave some of the fur away to check for wounds that can be difficult to see on hairy skin.

Yes, it is very possible that there is something stuck in the foot even if you can't see anything, but it could still be arthritis, a foot injury or even a local inflammation of the paw. i would recommend taking her to your vet tomorrow morning in order to get it checked and treated.

I'm sorry to hear that Diamond isn't doing well. There are many potential reasons for lameness and lethargy. The first thing that comes to mind would be a tick-related illness such as Lyme disease. Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses can cause significant joint inflammation, fever and general malaise. I would ensure that Diamond has easy access to food and water and that you offer him some yummy options such as low-sodium chicken broth to drink and boiled chicken to eat. You can also try applying a cool compress to his swollen paw. If these ministrations are not successful and Diamond continues to be lethargic and inappetant, I would strongly recommend that you have him seen by a veterinarian. Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are relatively easy to diagnose and are treatable. Other potential causes for his symptoms would be an injury, infection or cancer. Your veterinarian will be able to determine what is going on.

Oh no! Since Griffin seems painful, the best thing you can do is take him to the vet to determine if a fracture is present or if a soft tissue injury (such as a sprain) is present. The vet will be able to prescribe any necessary pain medications, but do not use anything over the counter for pain, as none are safe for dogs. Until you can get to the vet, keep Griffin confined to a very small room or crate to prevent him from moving much or trying to jump, as this could exacerbate any injury. You can try tempting him to eat with a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken and white rice, but Griffin is most likely not eating due to discomfort. I hope that he feels better soon!

Lameness, loss of appetite and energy are definitely concerning. This can be caused by tick borne diseases such as Lyme disease. There are also certain bone and joint diseases that only affect growing puppies, and need to be ruled out with an x-Ray. I recommend having your appointment sooner rather than later, you may want to call your vet and ask for an earlier appointment.

Poor Leo! He could have injured his paw on the walk causing the limping. I recommend resting Leo for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take him out to toilet on a leash, and bring him right back in when he's done. If he still appears painful after this time, then I would take him into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. He may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. I hope this helps!