Why is my pug struggling to walk, bunny hopping, and not using a leg?

Rafiki could have an issue with his kneecap that has caused it to pop out of the normal spot it's in. This is not uncommon in small breed dogs. It can make them prone however to tearing a ligament inside the knee. If this continues or becomes a recurrent problem, meaning it gets better then comes back, I recommend he get checked out by his veterinarian. Do not give any medication at home as it could be very toxic to dogs. You do not need to restrict his activity unless the limping persists for more than a day. In which case you should have him checked out by his veterinarian.

Without an xray or physical exam, it is impossible to determine if Puku has a serious injury or condition. Continue to treat him as directed by your veterinarian. Restrict excessive running, jumping or rough play. Swimming is an excellent way to provide exercise and strengthen muscles though. Ideally, Puku should have his hips evaluated for hip dysplasia. An orthopedic exam may also diagnose joint laxity and ligament damage as well as patellar (knee cap) conditions. All may cause an uncomfortable gait.

This could be a case of a luxating patella, where the knee cap moved out of its normal location. However that condition generally speaking isn't painful. Pugs can also have herniated disc in their spines causing pain as well as abdominal pain. Even though it may be tempting do not give any human OTC pain medication as it can be very toxic to dogs. If Studd is not better in the next 8-12 hours he should see his veterinarian for an exam.

It could be that Chispa is suffering from a luxating patella, which is when the kneecap comes out of it's correct anatomical position. When this happens, you notice the dog skipping and not using the leg. Because it happens sometimes, that means the kneecap is going back into place. This can be felt with palpation of the knee, so you can take her into another vet for a second opinion. Depending in the severity of the luxation, surgery may be needed to keep her kneecap in place if she does have a luxating patella. Best of luck, I hope this helps!

Hi and thanks for posting! Bunny hopping in dogs can be a sign of hip dysplasia but not always. An x-ray can be taken of the hips to determine if signs of hip dysplasia is present. Bunny hoppingn or a awkward gait can also be a sign of luxation of the knee caps (patellar luxation). If you are concerned you can always get a few x-rays done to check. Patellar luxation can be daignosed by palpstion if the knee during an exam. I hope this helps! Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Yes, this is a common sign seen with luxating patellas (dislocating knee cap). Small breeds like Bailey tend to be affected by it and it can have various ranges of severity. If Bailey is skipping, then it is likely a high-grade luxating patella and may need surgery to correct it. In order to get his condition diagnosed and treated, you'll need to start by scheduling an exam with your veterinarian. For more information about this condition, I recommend you read the article at the link below. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/luxating-patella-or-kneecap-in-dogs I hope that helps and Bailey gets better soon.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I recommend having Tooty looked at by a vet to determine what is going on. Your vet can perform x-rays to make sure that the bones and joints are not injured and see what is going on. Tooty may need to wear a cast or splint or some additional support. I hope this helps!