My dog fell, now limping and shaking. What's wrong with his leg?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. If he continues to not bear any weight on that leg, then he will need to see his veterinarian. He will likely need x-rays to ensure that he did not fracture his leg. In the meantime, keep him very quiet to allow his body to rest. Carry him if he needs to move. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Kringle, I am sorry he is feeling poorly. You did not mention if it is a front or back leg, but I will assume it is a back leg based on the description you gave. One concern would be that Kringle injured his knee, more specifically his cranial cruciate ligament (similar to an ACL injury in people). This can cause a hindlimb lameness that can be mild or severe (non-weight bearing). Another potential cause could be a luxating patella (knee cap), which can be common in small dogs and typically does not cause a problem unless severe. If Kringle continues to limp it would be best to have him evaluated by his veterinarian to determine the underlying cause. Based on physical exam findings, medical management (pain medications) or surgical options may be presented. A radiograph (x-ray) would be recommended to assess the limb, and routine bloodwork (complete blood count, serum chemistry) would be recommended prior to initiation of medications. I hope Kringle feels better soon!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. So if he is limping, he is in pain. Shaking is another sign of pain. The question is how much pain and why? Is it a minor, short-lived pain like when you stub your toe? A sprain? Or did he break a bone? The only way to know is to see an emergency vet and take some x-rays. That being said, in most of these cases, they shake it off and are walking normally within a few hours. If he seems OK to you, it is completely reasonable to let him sleep tonight and if he is not himself by morning, then see the vet first thing. If he is worrying you or any other signs arise, you always have the option of heading to the emergency vet tonight. Under no circumstances do I recommend any human pain medication - most are unsafe in dogs. However, if you want to do something for pain, ice can be a tremendous help. Applying an ice pack (wrapped in a thin kitchen towel or paper towel) to the leg for 5 minutes every 4-8 hours is great for inflammation and pain. Best wishes to you and Uno!

He may have dislocated his hip or fractured one of the bones in his leg. Please take him to the nearest veterinary ER or to your veterinarian right away. An exam and x-rays may diagnose the underlying cause for the [lameness](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/lameness-1/). If it is a [fracture](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/fractures-in-cats-and/) it may need to be splinted or surgically repaired depending on the severity and location. If it is a dislocation it will need to be reduced. If this is done earlier, it is more likely that surgery will not be required.

It sounds like Trixie is in pain. Her fall may have caused her to fracture a bone, damage a joint or ligament, or caused some muscle damage. While joint/muscle damage may resolve on its own, a fracture may require stabilization. Without it, the bone may heal in a deformed way and even alter the growth of the leg in the future. A vet will be able to perform x-rays to see if there is a fracture and offer you treatment options - likely a splint, cast, or surgery to chose from. X-rays are usually not very expensive and will give an answer regarding the cause of the limping. They will also be able to prescribe the appropriate pain medication that is safe for dog. In the meantime, I recommend keeping Trixie as quiet and calm as possible to prevent further trauma.

Please make an appointment to have Tammh seen by a vet as soon as possible. She is likely in pain, and may have a muscular or nerve injury, a fractured bone, a mass, or a foreign body in the leg. Your vet can assess the leg during the physical exam and may recommend x-rays to help determine the cause of Tammh’s limp. Pain medications meant for humans can be very dangerous (and even deadly) for dogs, so I do not recommend giving any to Tammh without consulting with your vet.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. It is possible that he has a fractured bone that is causing him discomfort and lameness. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine him so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I would recommend having x-rays taken of this leg to rule out any bone fractures as the cause. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.