My dog won't walk on her front left leg and yelps. Emergency?

Hi! Thanks for entrusting us with Dolly’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 her 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!

This means Duggu is in pain, and she may have strained a ligament or muscle. 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!

It sounds like this problem is related to instability or damage to ligaments somewhere near the region that you localized pain. A fracture would cause them not to not use that leg completely, so I'm less suspicious of that. Elbow problems, such as elbow dysplasia, are sometimes seen in dogs; but it tends to affect larger breeds and younger dogs. With small breed dogs, we tend to see fractures and other complications lower down in the leg near the wrist area. The fact that he is older is concerning for complications associated with arthritis and other age-related problems. If Devon seems to otherwise be fine and is not heavily limping on the leg, then it would be OK to wait a few days to see if it resolves. During this time it's important to limit his activity and especially restrict jumping up and down off of things like the couch or stairs. However, it would never hurt to take him to the vet to get it assessed. They might see something that you would not have noticed. They can also take x-rays if there is anything of concern. I would definitely take Devon to the vet if you notice swelling of the leg, or if he starts to limp more. I hope that helps and Devon gets better soon.

Oh dear! This is a very serious problem - I'm afraid she really has to see a vet right away. She may have a herniated disc in her back causing the paralysis, or some other neurologic problem affecting her spinal cord. She may be in pain, or she may have no feeling at all in her rear legs - it's impossible to say without an exam. She needs immediate treatment to have a reasonable chance of regaining function in her rear legs, I'm afraid there's nothing you can do at home that will help her. If costs are a concern, you can see if there is a low-cost SPCA clinic in your area that could help. You could also apply online for Care Credit, which is a payment plan accepted by most vet clinics: www.carecredit.com

It sounds like the leg is very painful, and I would not try to examine it yourself as she may get upset. Instead, I recommend taking her into the vet to have it examined, and have some pain medication prescribed. It's best to have a vet examine it to make sure the underlying structures weren't damaged by getting twisted up in the shower curtain. Please do not give her any human pain medications, many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. Because she had this accident last week and is still not using the leg, I would take her into the vet today.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Lexi. I do recommend that she sees an emergency veterinarian today. It sound like the issue has gone for a while without resolution. Her behavior suggests that she is painful. The veterinarian will examine her and may recommend x-rays of the affected area. Based on tese results, treatment can be started to help her feel better. She could be experiencing back pain as this is common in her breed. A soft tissue injury is also possible as is joint pain. In the meantime, do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!

She may have torn her cruciate ligament, have a problem with her knee cap, have a fracture, etc. Since she seems to be in pain, you should take her to your vet today for an orthopedic examination. Your vet can take an x-ray, if needed, to help diagnose and then determine the best way to treat. An anti-inflammatory and pain medications can be prescribed to help relieve any pain. Hope she feels better soon!