Why is my dog limping, yelping, running in circles, and drinking snow?

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!

Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach to address your concern. The excessive saliva could be from activity. If he is very hyper he may be panting in excess which in turn can make the saliva sticky and thick. I would make sure he has plenty of access to water and provide a second bowl if he is finishing his water quickly. The limping could be secondary to a soft tissue injury such as a strain or sprain, which can take many weeks to completely resolve. I would make sure he is resting adequately and not running around or jumping for the next 4-6 weeks so that his leg has time to heal. If the limping persists more than 6 weeks or worsens, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine the leg and have x-rays taken to be on the safe side. The veterinarian can also provide Bones with pain medication to help with any discomfort. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the symptoms you are describing, I would recommend having Zeus examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. He may be in pain from a leg injury causing him to not want to move much and also could be affecting his appetite / thirst. Another possibility is that Zeus is currently dealing with Tick Paralysis. There are also other possible causes but these are just a couple. I would get him in sooner rather than later and if that means taking him in as an emergency, I would certainly do so. 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.

I am sorry to hear about Boomer! It is not unusual for a dog to limp but then run around as if there is no problem. Dogs are great at hiding their pain and often a young dog will get excited and forget they are hurting or just ignore the discomfort for awhile. If the limping has been going on for more than a few days, I would recommend an exam by your vet. If there is any bruising or swelling a vet exam is recommended. Check all the toenails and be sure none are split or torn and look on the underside of the paw and between the paw pads to check for wounds. If you find nothing, then I would recommend activity restriction for Boomer for several days. He should be crated or confined to a small area and only go outside on a leash to go to the bathroom- we want him to rest his foot. If after several days you aren't seeing any improvement then a visit to his vet is recommended. Best of luck to you and Boomer!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Lameness can be caused by a number of things. Unfortunately, in this breed, ACL injuries are common and are typically due to degenerative changes with the ligament (if this is a back leg lameness). Also, if this is an ACL injury, there is a > 50% chance that the opposite leg will be affected by the same problem down the road. On the examination with the veterinarian, they will check her knee joint and see if there is an instability called a cranial drawer or a tibial thrust. Both of these manipulations help confirm the suspicion of an ACL injury. Most of the time, an ACL injury requires surgical correction to fix. This can be discussed further with your veterinarian once diagnosed. This may not be an ACL injury and may be osteoarthritis or hip dysplasia causing discomfort. I would recommend x-rays of the affected leg. If this is a front leg, there are other possibilities such as arthritis, a bone fracture, infection, ligament injury, elbow dysplasia, etc. I would definitely get Bliss on a joint supplement along with omega 3 fish oil. I typically recommend Dasuquin and Welactin for supplements, which can be found online quite easily. 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. Please remember to rate this answer as helpful or not. Thank you!

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.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Charlie. Limping means he is in pain. That paw pad does look a bit swollen. 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. I hope this helps!