My dog was out all night, now has tucked tail & pain. What to do?

Hello and thank you for your questions. I hate to hear that Bandit is injured. Since Bandit can't talk, only a physical exam will be able to determine the source of the lameness. Just like people, the pain/limping can be related to many causes including a ligament tears, soft tissue injury, a developmental abnormality or even a spinal issue. A pulled muscle will result in limping but this sounds different based upon your description. If the leg is not appearing to move like it should, I am more suspicious of nerve damage, a broken ligament or (less likely) a broken bone. Since you are noticing that something doesn't seem right when he walks, I recommend to have him examined since this appears more involved than just a normal limp. Some of these causes need to be addressed quickly for best long term results. At home, you can apply a cool (not cold) compress to the area you suspect is the problem every hour for 10 minutes. A gentle massage twice a day can also help. Until Bandit is examined, I recommend STRICT rest until he is given the clear by the veterinarian. That means no walks, running, jumping or stairs. He should also be crated anytime you are not watching him. Not resting your pet can allow this to get worse. Any limping pet who is not improving within 3 days of strict rest, needs to be examined by the veterinarian. Bandit may need radiographs and the doctor will determine this based on the exam. I hope your pup starts feeling better quickly.

Hello, sorry to hear about bandit. It could be changes associated with his leg that are worsened by cold weather. Things to consider include arthritis, and other joint diseases (hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, cranial cruciate ligament tear) depending on which leg he is limping on. Bandit could benefit from an orthopedic exam and imaging such as x-rays of his limping leg to further assess the cause of his lameness. In the interim, you could promote a lean body weight for bandit to decrease the stress on his joints and limit any hard impact activity such as running, rough playing, or jumping. Hope this helps and best of luck.

It could be he is in pain leading him to now want to jump. 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'd keep an eye on the sore for now. If it gets worse or appears infected, have him seen by a vet.

It's possible that Bandit has injured a tendon, ligament, or bone in the toe to cause swelling and a limp. These injuries are best treated with antiinflamatories and stabilisation/bandaging, so it's best to take him to the vet for a diagnosis and treatment. It's not an emergency though, so this can wait until normal business hours. These injuries tend to heal well over a couple of months if not reinjured. For now, it's best to restrict Bandit's activity and ice the area for 15 minutes twice a day. I hope that helps and Bandit gets better soon.

Poor William! 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.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This would warrant a veterinary evaluation for further assessment and treatment. These types of traumatic lesions can result in a fracture of the tail which can be quite painful. Even when a fracture is not present, this tends to result in a lot of pain. They would be able to evaluate her and at the very least start medications for pain. Good luck and have a good night!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is difficult to know just based on a picture though I am suspicious that this may be an infection. Even if it just blood, it would still be indicated to proceed with a recheck with your veterinarian so that the bandage can be removed and the wound looked at more closely. Then they would be able to recommend therapy accordingly. Best of luck!