My 14-year-old dog is limping and struggling to walk. What's wrong?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Osito. There are many causes of lameness in a dog. Start by checking his paw to ensure there is not something stuck in his fur or a broken toe nail. He would likely be licking the paw in this case. If not, then he could be experiencing arthritis. This is common in the hip and knee joints. Other possibilities are a displaced kneecap, a torn ligament in the knee, a fractured leg, a bone tumor or an autoimmune disease attacking the joints. He will need to see his veterinarian to determine where he is painful. X-rays will likely be recommended. In the meantime, keep him quiet to allow his body to rest. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!

Mija is limping because she is in pain. Unfortunately there are no human pain relievers you can give her, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. These bumps may be a part of her normal anatomy. I would have her seen by a vet.

At her age she most likely has some arthritis that is causing the issue with her legs. Remember, at her age, she is the equivalent to about 87 years old in human years. The lump you are feeling could be any number of things. Your vet should be able to help you sort this out.

Poor guy! In a senior dog, I would be very concerned that his huge bump is a malignant tumor that has now spread to his lungs causing his problems with breathing. Cancer can also affect his walking. I would have him seen by a vet right away. This bump needs to be diagnosed with a fine needle aspirate to see if he does have a malignant tumor, and x-rays need to be done of his chest to see his heart and lungs. Once the cause of this bump and difficulty breathing and walking is diagnosed, the vet can discuss if there are any treatment options for him.

It could be that Buddy is suffering from arthritis, and that's causing him to limp in pain. Arthritis is common in older dogs. I would take Buddy into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose if he is suffering from arthritis, and can give him some pain meds for it. Rimadyl (an NSAID) is a good drug to give to help with the symptoms of arthritis. I also recommend giving him glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate supplements. They provide the necessary nutrients for cartilage repair and function. Use of them helps relieve some of the symptoms of arthritis, and you can use it in conjuction with Rimadyl to help maximize relief from his symptoms.

Her reduced activity level may be due to the lameness or arthritis pain. I recommend a veterinary exam for the lameness. They will feel her neck shoulder and the rest of the leg to determine the cause. They may also do X-rays to look for bone and joint problems. If they think Ruby is painful they can prescribe pain medication. I don't like older dogs to get too lazy and not exercise since they can gain weight and lose muscle mass which makes the lameness worse. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Ruby.

It really depends on the cause of the swelling, but usually pain medication the route you would have to go. Generally for issues like this that are not treated surgically, we manage the pain and inflammation with long-term medication at the lowest effective dose. While there are some potential side effects, most dogs can be treated rather effectively this way. It will be worthwhile to have a blood screen done to make sure the liver and kidneys are functioning well prior to starting the medication and it may be necessary to take blood periodically to ensure they are not causing any damage. Your veterinarian should be able to help you out with all of this. I hope that helps and Oscar feels better soon.