My 6-year-old Lab is limping, shaking, and acting very lazy. Why?

Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I strongly recommend taking Lardo in for an orthopedic exam. The knots may be related to his limping or it may be something else entirely. Labs can be prone to hip dysplasia and stifle (Knee) problems. Arthritis can also cause worsening lameness. I would suggest an exam to narrow down the cause then the vet may suggest xrays to get a better idea of the problem. Cancer or infection can also affect bones and joints. A full exam will help to narrow down the cause of his pain so an appropriate diagnosis can be made. Please do not give over the counter pain medication, as many are toxic to dogs. I hope Lardo is better soon!

Try restricting Bruno's activity for 24 hours. Leash walk him for elimination and avoid any running, jumping or rough play. If the lameness persists, have him seen by your veterinarian for a complete physical and orthopedic exam. Bruno may have injured his hip or knee. Xrays will likely be indicated to diagnose or confirm joint disease or ligament damage.

Her reduced activity level may be due to the lameness or arthritis pain. I recommend a veterinary exam for the lameness. They will feel her neck shoulder and the rest of the leg to determine the cause. They may also do X-rays to look for bone and joint problems. If they think Ruby is painful they can prescribe pain medication. I don't like older dogs to get too lazy and not exercise since they can gain weight and lose muscle mass which makes the lameness worse. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Ruby.

It sounds like poor Laika is in a lot of pain. It could be that her arthritis has flared up, but there could be something else wrong such as a strained or torn ligament. Because she sounds so painful, the best thing to do is have her seen by a vet right away. The vet can diagnose what is causing her pain, and can treat her for it. Please do not give her any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. My advice is to take her into a vet now. Good luck!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Osito. There are many causes of lameness in a dog. Start by checking his paw to ensure there is not something stuck in his fur or a broken toe nail. He would likely be licking the paw in this case. If not, then he could be experiencing arthritis. This is common in the hip and knee joints. Other possibilities are a displaced kneecap, a torn ligament in the knee, a fractured leg, a bone tumor or an autoimmune disease attacking the joints. He will need to see his veterinarian to determine where he is painful. X-rays will likely be recommended. In the meantime, keep him quiet to allow his body to rest. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!

Limping can be an indication of pain, so please make an appointment to have Midnight seen by a veterinarian. Causes of the limping could be trauma, a muscular or nerve injury, a fractured bone, an injured or overgrown toenail, a tumour/mass, or a foreign body imbedded in the paw or leg. Some infectious diseases such as Lyme disease and joint diseases such as arthritis or joint infection can cause limping as well. . Pain medications meant for humans can be very dangerous (and even deadly) for dogs, so I do not recommend giving any to your pup without consulting with your vet.

Hi! Thanks for entrusting us with Bentley's care today! Lameness and/or possible leg pain and shaking 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!