My dog is limping. Should I use ice or just rest him as the vet said?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Cold compresses every few hours and strict rest (short walks on a leash only) will be the best way to allow healing after this trauma. However, if in 2-3 days Athena is not back to normal, a visit at your local vets will be recommended. Intermittent lameness like this can be related to a pulled muscle or mild inflammation within knee or hip joint but it could be also due more serious problems, like a torn ligament in the knee, slipped patella and more. If there is no improvement to the cold compresses and rest, your vet will likely recommend x-rays of the leg to make the definite diagnosis and to recommend best treatment for Athena.

Poor guy. If he can bear weight on the limb at all, then it is ok to give him 24-72 hrs with strict activity restrictions (leash walk only, no jumping, running, etc), rest, and cold compresses on the seemingly painful area (the hip), and then taking him in to the vet if not improved. However if he is not bearinng any weight on the leg, it is best to take him in asap because a more serious injury has occurred that needs to be determined via x-ray and treated right away.

Unfortunately I would suggest nothing else than complete rest and possibly cold packs applied for 10-15 minutes to decrease inflammation if present. A clinical examination and possibly further investigations would be required to determine more specifically the cause of it. Starve him for eight hours before vet’s check up in case x rays under sedation will be required. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to post more questions if needed either on the forum or by requesting a consultation.

He needs to be examined by a vet to determine the extent of the injury. Your vet can take an x-ray to help diagnose and then determine the best way to treat. He may need a splint, rest, and an anti-inflammatory to treat. It is impossible to know the best way to treat without an x-ray.

Rest him completely for the next 48 hours (just go out on lead walks for his business). If the signs do not resolve and Bobby is not putting weight on the leg after 48hours a check is necessary to treat at least the pain/inflammation with appropriate meds. Ice packs on the affected leg (on the spot where you think Bobby might have been injured) may be helpful (10 minutes 2 times daily). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Poor Timo. 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.

If it just started you can let her 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 her to the vet in order to get it checked and treated, she 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.