Why is my 11-month-old puppy suddenly limping on her front legs?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am sorry that Gem isn't feeling well! From what I am understanding is that Gem has been on and off limping on different legs at different times. There are few things that could be going on: Panosteitis or Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy, both occur in young, rapidly growing dogs. I see Panosteitis a lot in German Shepherds. Both are diagnosed on X-rays and physical exam. Another possibility is lyme disease. I recommend taking Gem in to your Vet when she is actively limping. Have her tested for lyme and some X-rays done. Since we can not examine Gem, we are not allowed to prescribe medications or provide doses of human medications. Human medications are not recommended for dogs. Dogs metabolize drugs differently then people and the medication may interfere with what your Vet prescribes based on their diagnosis. I hope this helps and you get to the bottom of Gem's limping!

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 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.

Some causes of hindlimb lameness in growing dogs that are less than 12 months of age include: Hip dysplasia, Avascular necrosis of the femoral head - Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, where the ball of the thighbone in the hip doesn't get enough blood, causing the bone to die Osteochondritis of stifle - fragments of cartilage or bone have become loose within the knee joint Patella luxation - medial or lateral disorder, in which the kneecap dislocates or moves out of its normal location Osteochondritis of the hock - fragments of cartilage or bone have become loose within the hock, the joint of the hind leg Panosteitis – inflammation of the bones Hypertrophic osteodystrophy - a disease characterized by decreased blood flow to the part of the bone adjacent to the joint Trauma to the soft tissue, bone, or joint Infection – may be local, or generalized (systemic) Nutritional imbalances Congenital abnormalities (present at birth) If the lameness persists, even if she seems better afterward, I recommend getting her seen by your vet as soon as possible to check for one of these conditions and get her started on treatment if need be.

I am sorry to hear about Nitro! I would recommend having him examined by his veterinarian. He could have a simple sprain or strain but we can also have things like panosteitis https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4953019 which can cause lamness in young dogs. Your vet can examine Nitro and may recommend x-rays to evaluate the leg and determine the best treatment for Nitro.

The most common reasons for young dogs to have issues with mobility include congenital bony abnormalities, juvenile onset arthritis, or a traumatic injury. If this is a relatively chronic issue, I would definitely recommend a physical exam by your veterinarian to see if a specific problem can be identified. Depending on the vet's findings, x-rays might be advisable to further investigate the matter. Snowy's breed and size will likely play into the likelihood of one condition over another. Hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Jewel! I do not see a torn nail. If a dog is limping from an injured nail it is usually hanging off and bleeding. In the pictures everything looks normal. It looks maybe a little red around the nail base of the dewclaw but that is not a weight bearing nail so they usually do not limp if that one is injured, they just lick it a lot. Limping and crying is a sign of pain. Since she is so young I recommend having her seen today by your Vet. It could be a strain or a sprain, growing pains, luxated joint or a fracture. I wish Jewel a speedy recovery!