Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My dog is still limping on her front leg after 3 weeks. Vet now?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | spayed | 10 months and 6 days old

My dog was limping slightly on her front left foot about 3 weeks ago. We couldn't see or feel anything so we put it off as a strain or something minor. Now she's still limping. Should we take her in?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Lisa Mausbach, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on March 21st, 2018

Good Evening...thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am sorry that Luna is experience some trouble with her left front leg. Since the lameness seems to be reoccurring, I would recommend you bring her into a veterinarian for an examination. Young dogs can often experience many conditions that can cause lameness. These can range from conditions such as panosteitis (growing pains) to congenital conditions such as elbow dysplasia, or OCD lesion of either the shoulder or elbow. Certainly a soft tissue injury (muscle strain or sprain) may also be the culprit. Regardless, it may be nice to see if the veterinarian can determine her "pain point" and localize where her lameness is coming from. They will also be able to give you prescription medications that ma help to ease her discomfort. I hope this information helps, good luck and I hope Luna gets some relief soon! :-)

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on September 7th, 2017
Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach! Benelli's lameness in her left hind limb could be due to a number of factors. Seeing that she is a fairly young dog, trauma would be high up on my list of possible causes as I am sure she is quite active. A second possibility is that she may be suffering from pain due to a conformational defect with her leg / pelvis / hips. I would keep her rested for the next 7--10 days, which means no exercise such as running or playing with toys too hard. If it is a soft tissue injury, sometimes these injuries can take some time to heal. If she is not better within 7-10 days, then I would suggest getting her seen by your veterinarian to have x-rays and an exam performed to help determine what the cause of the lameness is. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available to chat via phone or text consultation if needed.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My dog's back leg limps then he's fine. When should I see a vet?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Dexter! Since it has been going on for 3 weeks already I think it is time to have him seen by your Vet. Common causes of hing leg lameness are: hip dysplasia, cruciate (ACL tears), Lyme or other tick borne disease, immune polyarthropathy, HOD, panoseitis, or simply a strain or a sprain. If you haven't strictly rested him (leash walks, no running or jumping) for a week you can try that first. But if he is still having problems he should be seen. I hope this helps and I wish Dexter the very best!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Is my senior dog's recurring front leg limp arthritis or an injury?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Causes of a front leg lameness could be: arthritis, a strain or sprain that needs more time, Lyme disease, neck injury and pinched nerve, peripheral nerve sheath tumor, bone tumor, bursitis/tendinitis. I think having Mya examined is a good idea since it’s been waxing and waning for a few months. Your Vet may want to check her for Lyme or take X-rays. She may just need a few weeks of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and rest. I hope this helps and I wish Mya a speedy recovery!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My 8-year-old beagle has been limping for two weeks. What's wrong?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Limping can be due to many reasons that go from relatively uncomplicated such as soft tissue injuries and osteoarthritis to more complicated and serious injuries such as fractures and even bone tumors. I highly recommend that you have Roxy evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to localize her pain and decide what the next diagnostic step which will likely be radiographs. At the very least, they can start her on pain control medications. Good luck and have a good day!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my dog limping, and his front paw floppy and painful?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Without examining Brutus it is difficult to say but he may have developed soft tissue trauma from an injury or injured his bone / carpal joint. If the limping persists for the next 3 days, I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at him and take x-rays of the leg to help rule out some causes of the lameness. For the next 3 days I would recommend exercise restriction and keeping him on a leash whenever he is outdoors and discouraging him from jumping up or down on any furniture to allow this injury to heal. 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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My puppy is limping days after a jump, but seems fine. What's wrong?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Nico! He is adorable!! If Nico has been limping with out improvement for the last 2-3 days I would have him examined by your Vet. Limping indicates pain even if you can't localize it. Hopefully it is just a sprain or a strain but it could be a chip fracture or a growth plate fracture since Niko is so young. You Vet may want to take 1-2 X-rays of the area they find pain in. Hopefully Nico will only require rest and anti-inflammatory medications. Do not give Nico any human OTC medications, He is very young and dogs do not metabolize human drugs like we do and they have a narrow margin of safety in dogs. It will also mask his pain for the vet and will interfere with medications they may want to prescribe. I hope this helps and I wish Nico a speedy recovery!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog is limping and licking her leg. When should I see a vet?

If Sonnie has been limping for 2 weeks, then it is time to see your vet to see what is going on. Often when dogs have the adrenaline rush of being outside and running, they will limp less than when they are walking slowly inside, so that is not unusual. The licking you are noticing may be due to pain at that location, so hopefully your vet can find the problem and figure out treatment to make Sonnie feel better. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that Sonnie feels better soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog has been limping on and off for months. Should I take him to the vet?

It can be so hard to get an active dog to rest an injury! Because this has been going on for a few months I think it would be a good idea for Abraham to see a veterinarian. Often active dogs will injure their ACLs or hips which can result in on and off lameness. Your veterinarian can assess Abraham's left hind leg and decide if pain medications or even X-rays are needed. Please remember there are no safe over the counter pain medications for dogs so your veterinarian will need to prescribe meds for Abraham. I hope this is helpful! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach and wishing for a speedy recovery for Abraham!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share