Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why are my chihuahua's front legs swollen and limping? Osteosarcoma?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 20 lbs

Right now I'm having issues with my small chihuahua he has 2 swollen front ankles/legs and takes small steps on 1 to 2 legs can this be possible that he has osteosarcoma on his 2 front legs?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Davis

Veterinarian

Published on October 22nd, 2018

That is very unlikely. Osteosarcoma is most common in large breed middle aged dogs, and it is usually only in one bone in one leg. The legs are not usually swollen either. This sounds like more of a systemic infection in his joints than cancer. I recommend a veterinary exam and X-rays to determine if the cause is in the bones, joints or soft tissue. I’m sure this is very painful and that’s why he’s not walking normally. Once they have a diagnosis they can start treatment and get him on pain medication to make him feel better. They may need to do cytology on his joint fluid or take a bone sample to get the diagnosis. This sounds very serious so please take him for treatment soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Cookie.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My dog has lumps, a swollen leg, and is limping. Is it cancer?

Oh no, I'm so sorry Harvey has taken a turn for the worse! Yes, it is possible that this is cancer, and if he has a swollen front leg and can bare little weight, I would be concerned that he is suffering from osteosarcoma (cancer of the bone). I would have him seen by a vet immediately to have his leg examined and x-rays. This will be very painful for him, and the x-rays can diagnose if he does have an osteosarcoma. Unfortunately, an osteosarcoma is a highly malignant, fast spreading type of cancer. Amputation of the leg is an option, and with amputation, the dog can have an addition three months of life depending on if the cancer has spread or not. I would take Harvey into a vet now. I'm sorry :-(

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my dog limping and has a lump on his back leg or thigh?

I would recommend that Chico get checked out by a vet. There could be lots of causes including a torn ACL, broken bone, sprained ligament, or even bone or soft tissue cancer. After a physical exam, the vet may recommend x-rays to determine what is going on.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Dog's leg swelled after vet said cancer. Is it a tumor or fluid?

If I read this correctly your dog's leg was swelling to this size within a few hours. If your vet took x-rays and found bone lesions then there is indeed a possibility of bone cancer. However only a biopsy of the bone or the tissue of the swelling will prove that there is cancer. Without the possibility of examining the leg myself I can only give you possibilitites of why there is a swelling: 1) Check for puncture wounds or an injury. this could be a peracute infection of the joint. 2) this may be an injury of the joint such as a fracture or tendon injury, You should take your dog back to a veterinarian for an exam, especially since this is painful.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My chihuahua has a marble-sized lump on its back leg. What is it?

I am sorry to hear about your concern for Nyte! There are numerous possibilities for this swelling. One of the most common would be a hygroma, which is a fluid filled bursae that we can see often on the elbows and sometimes on the hock of dogs. It is often associated with laying on hard surfaces (some dogs like to lay on hard floors because they are cooler). Other possible causes could include an infection of the joint, a cyst, or a mass/tumor (and some of these are benign/not aggressive). I would recommend a visit to your vet to examine the area. They may recommend a needle aspirate of the swelling, or an xray to help determine the cause. Until your appointment try to provide soft bedding for your dog to lay on when possible to decrease pressure over the area.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My senior dog is limping. Could moth-eaten bone mean cancer?

Osteosarcoma can’t be totally diagnosed by an X-ray, and this doesn’t look definitive to me. I recommend taking him to an orthopedic specialist for a second opinion, and they can take another X-ray to compare with this. If it’s bone cancer the moth eaten area will probably be larger or more defined. They can also do a bone biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. He could be lame from a shoulder problem, or even pain radiating down his leg from a disc in his neck. Hopefully he is on pain medication. In my opinion the next step to be sure of the diagnosis would be to get an exam with a specialist. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Riot.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog is limping, has a leg lump, and pees a lot. Could it be cancer?

I cannot diagnose osteosarcoma from a picture, sorry, but Ping is obviously very painful if she can barely walk. As for the urination, she could have a UTI or bladder stones causing her problem. I would take her into a vet immediately.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my senior dog limping, dragging his back leg, and it's swollen?

This is probably due to hip disease (arthritis), the larger leg is probably not the bad side, the problematic side is usually smaller due to muscle atrophy as the dog is favoring his good leg. i advise you to take Mocha to the vet ASAP, the vet will perform a physical examination, he will probably need to be put on anti inflammatories/pain killers permanently.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share