My dog limps when walking but runs fine, and has sticky drool. Why?

Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach! Many things can cause lameness in dogs. For a young active dog, the most common injury is of soft tissue in origin. Soft tissue can be anything from a strain / sprain, bruising, pulled muscle or a ligament / tendon injury. Bone trauma is another possibility with fracture and dislocation as possibilities. If she is bearing full weight on the leg after a while, then I would likely suspect this to be a soft tissue injury in nature. I would suggest resting Angel for the next 7-10 days. A strict exercise restriction should be in place to prevent Angel from worsening the injury. This means no jumping or running, only leash guided walks that are short and controlled. If no improvement occurs within 7-10 days, I would have a veterinarian examine the leg to help determine what is going on. Please feel free to contact me with any further questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.

Thanks for visiting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. From what I can understand from your post your pet Bruin is limping on one of his legs but he is also trying to eat snow and running in circles sometimes. He sounds like he is bored and just getting into things. As long as he doesn't have a head tilt, ataxic (walking drunkenly), or running into walls, then there is no neurological concern here. I would try to do more activities with him on a daily basis to keep him engaged and active. Taking him to dog parks so he can socialize with other pets is a great idea. As far as the limping is concerned, he may have injured a ligament in his knee (CCL rupture), which is similar to an ACL tear in people. If the limping has continued for more than 4-5 days and doesn't seem to be improving, then it is best to take Bruin to your local vet for a proper exam and x-rays of the leg to confirm the extent of injury. Best case scenario is that he has a muscle sprain along his leg, which typically improves on its own with much rest and leash walking him only outside over course of 4-14 days. You can also apply alternative cold and warm compresses onto any painful areas that you can detect, along the leg itself. I hope that this information was helpful and wish Bruin a full and speedy recovery. Best wishes and take care.

Sometimes when dogs get really excited they have an endorphin release and so they aren’t as painful and don’t limp. Then when they are comfortable at home they are more painful and show their limp more readily. If this continues then I would encourage you to have him evaluated by your veterinarian soon. Best of luck and I hope he improves soon. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Goose. Poor boy. I'm concerned hr leg is in pain causing her to lick it a lot and leading her to limp. Limping means she is in pain. I recommend resting her for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take her out to toilet on a leash, and bring her right back in when she's done. If she still appears painful after this time, then I would take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. She may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give her any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. I hope this helps!

If he is acting normal at home when walking around then he might have a sprain or strain that is causing him pain while running. The best thing would be to rest him for a while and then see how his is when you take him running. If he is still reluctant to run or he has any lameness at home when just walking around then he should be examined by a vet to determine the cause and treat. Your vet can take an x-ray to diagnose and then prescribe medications to helps. He may need an anti-inflammatory to treat.

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!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Sophie. It could be she injured herself, and it may be sore and painful when she first starts walking. As she walks more, it doesn't hurt as much, making the limp go away. I recommend resting her for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take her out to toilet on a leash, and bring her right back in when she's done. If she still appears painful after this time, then I would take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. She may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give her any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. I hope this helps!