My dog fell, is limping, and has a thigh bruise. What to do?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Charlie! Causes of limping can be just from a strain or a sprain, but other causes could be fracture or ligament tear. If resting doesn't resolve the limp I recommend having your Vet examine Charlie. I do not recommend giving him any human OTC pain medications. I hope this helps and I wish Charlie a speedy recovery!

If the bruising is accompanied by lethargy, swelling and lameness, then Chomps should be seen by your veterinarian or at the nearest veterinary ER. X-rays may be indicated to diagnose or rule out fractures. A "simple" bruise with no other symptoms may resolve on it's own within a few weeks. Restrict activity to just leash walks for elimination in the meantime.

If it just started you can let Tipu rest for a few days with minimal walking and minimal physical exercise, if it does not improve within 3-4 days you will have to take him to the vet in order to get it checked and treated, he might need pain killers for a few days. if the vet think it's something more serious such as a fracture, joint injury or foreign body, he might recommend to have an xray done as well.

Poor Bruce! That is awful. I recommend resting him 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.

It could be that Charlie is sore from getting hit by your other dog, and I would rest him for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take him out to toilet on a lead only, 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. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Hi! Thanks for entrusting us with Charlie's care today! Lameness can be a sign of a few things that range from a muscle sprain to even a fracture. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian so that this can be further assessed which will likely include radiographs. Treatment will be dependent on findings though at the very least pain control medications can be prescribed. Good luck! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

No there is not really any medication we can recommend you give Didier without having examined him. Also, many over the counter medications are not safe to give and it is difficult to get the correct dosing for a small dog. I suggest you just rest him strictly for the next 7 days. Leash walk to go outside to use the toilet only then right back inside. No running, jumping or playing. No stairs if that can be helped. If no improvement within that week or if he gets worse then you should get him to your vet for an exam. If he does seem better after a week then you can go back to GRADUALLY increasing his exercise over the next couple of weeks. Hope this helps. Best wishes.