My dog slipped and is limping but not swollen. What should I do?

Hi! Thanks for entrusting us with Zeus's care today! Lameness 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!

Ouch, poor Peyton! I would rest him tonight, and then have him seen by a vet in the morning. It could be that he strained a ligament or muscle, but it is concerning that the leg appears to be swollen and he is favoring it. Don't allow him to run, jump, or play tonight. Take Peyton out to toilet on a lead and bring him right back in when he's done. Then have him seen by a vet in the morning to diagnose what is causing the pain so he can be treated. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. The vet can prescribe him some safe pain medications as needed.

Poor Becks! It's possible that he may have sprained or twisted it when he slipped. If he's acting okay otherwise, I would recommend restricting his exercise for the next few days to see if the limping resolves - short leash walks outside to potty, no running or jumping. There are unfortunately no over-the-counter human pain medications that are safe to give him, so I wouldn't recommend giving him anything right now. If it's a minor injury like a sprain, he should be back to normal in 2-3 days. If there is no improvement in the next few days, or if he seems excessively painful, it would be best to have him seen by a vet since he may need x-rays to help determine what's wrong. Your vet can also prescribe safe and effective pain medication for him if needed.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! From the pictures I don’t see anything abnormal. But if it has been 3 days and he is still limping then he is painful somewhere. In a younger dog it could be from growing but they could still have small fractures without swelling. I recommend taking Goliath to a vet where they can do a full physical exam and check for pain in the bones or joints. There could be an issue higher up in the limb or even in the neck causing the limp. The vet may need xrays to look at the bones and joints. If anything, they can prescribe Goliath some medications to alleviate his pain and get him comfortable again. I wouldn’t give anything over the counter as there isn’t anything safe for dogs. And until you can get him to the vet I wouldn’t encourage any running or jumping. Good luck and kisses to Goliath!

Do not give any medications to your dog without the advice of your veterinarian. Many OTC medications can be toxic to pets. Ideally, Ziggy should be examined by your veterinarian or a veterinary orthopedic specialist to diagnose ligament damage, arthritic conditions, fractures or tumors. X-rays of the knees and hips will likely be recommended. These can be done under anesthesia or sedation. A veterinary house all service may be an option for an exam. Afterwards, a sedative and/or pain management can be dispensed to make the trip to the clinic easier and less stressful for all parties.

If he is not using the leg at all, then I would be suspicious that he either broke a bone, or tore a ligament. Sprains and strains will cause a limp, but it tends to be mild and Kratos would still be putting pressure on the leg when he walks, or runs. I recommend having a vet evaluate Kratos. It's not an emergency, but it's good to have him seen within the next 24 hours. For now, it's best to confine him, so that he can rest the injury and doesn't cause further damage to it. You can apply ice to the affected area for 15 minutes twice a day. Avoid giving any medication at this time, because certain medications can be toxic to dogs. I hope that helps and all is well with Kratos.

It could be a sprain, but given that he is a young puppy, I would recommend having him checked out by a vet. You want to make sure it is just a sprain, instead of something more serious like a fracture of torn ligament which could affect his growth. I would rest him for now, no running, jumping, or playing. Take him out to toilet on a lead only, and bring him right back in when done. Take him into the vet on Monday for an exam to be safe.