My Great Pyrenees puppy is limping and seems depressed. What's wrong?

If it just started you can let him rest for a few days with minimal walking and minimal physical exercise, if it does not improve within 3-4 days you will have to take him to the vet in order to get it checked and treated, he might need pain killers for a few days. if the vet think it's something more serious such as a fracture, joint injury or foreign body, he might recommend to have an xray done as well.

If he is experiencing hindlimb lameness, it is most likely his knee or hip. The most common cause of lameness we see in large breeds is stifle injury secondary to a crucuate ligament tear or degenerative joint disease of the hips. You should have him evaluated by your veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and discuss treatment plan.

Lameness, loss of appetite and energy are definitely concerning. This can be caused by tick borne diseases such as Lyme disease. There are also certain bone and joint diseases that only affect growing puppies, and need to be ruled out with an x-Ray. I recommend having your appointment sooner rather than later, you may want to call your vet and ask for an earlier appointment.

I see that Lexi is Lab, which is considered a large breed dog. Large breed puppies can be prone to a condition called hypertrophic osteodystrophy, which is an inflammation of the long bones. It will cause intermittent lameness, and this could be the cause of Lexi's current lameness. I would take her into the vet on Monday for an exam. The vet can do x-rays to confirm if she does have hypertrophic osteodystrophy or not. There is no cure for it, but most puppies recover on their own after a couple of episodes. In the meantime, take Lexi out on a leash only, no running or jumping, and keep her as quiet as possible.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your puppy. If she is otherwise normal, then I recommend keeping her very quite. Carry her if you are able or take her outside on a leash. No running, jumping, stairs or playing. Many causes of mild lameness can resolve without treatment. However, if the lameness gets worse, she is not acting normal or the lameness does not resolve, then she needs to see her veterinarian. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!

Since Kilba 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. You may try strict rest for a few days (no walks, running, jumping or stairs). If Kilba does not improve, have her examined by the veterinarian. She may need radiographs and the doctor will determine this based on the exam. I hope she starts feeling better quickly.

I would definitely take him to see your vet. He may have a hidden injury, the shifting lameness could indicate a condition affecting his bones called panosteitis, which is seen in growing puppies, usually large breeds. Since he's feeling poorly overall, I think the sooner he sees the vet, the better. Your vet will do an exam, probably labwork and x-rays, and based on these results, will be better able to inform you about your dog's condition and how best to treat it.