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Why is my Yorkie limping on three legs? Could it be her knee?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Female | spayed | 9 years and 2 months old

Why Is My Yorkie Limping and Walking on Three Legs?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

Published on September 11th, 2016

There is a very common problem in Yorkies called a luxating patella that often causes these symptoms. Basically, the knee cap pops out of place and causes her to hold the leg up intermittently. This is the first thing your vet will probably check for - it can usually be diagnosed during the exam. If this isn't the problem, then she may have some other type of injury to her leg, such as a torn knee ligament, or something more minor such as a sprain or pulled muscle. I would recommend keeping her calm and quiet for the rest of the night. If she is still holding her leg up in the morning, then she should see a vet to find out what's wrong.

72Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA
Veterinarian
There are many possible reasons for limping including injury and infection to any part of the leg but yorkshire terriers are especially prone by a vet to knee injuries and dislocating kneecaps. Please get her assessed by a vet and possibly a physiotherapist in order to identify the location of her pain and discomfort and guide appropriate treatment
42Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on October 7th, 2019
Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question. Favoring the leg is a sign she is in pain. 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!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Stephanie Echols, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on June 12th, 2018
Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is possible Suzi has a luxating patella. This is common in small breed dogs. It means the patella (knee cap) is not sitting in the groove of the knee and sometimes slips out of place. When that happens, the knee cannot bend properly and therefore the pet limps. I would recommend taking Suzi to the vet to confirm this is what is going on. They may need to take radiographs to rule out other concerns. Even though you cannot find the pain, there could be some. If the vet finds it, they will be able to prescribe something safe for her to take. Good luck and kisses to Suzi!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Davis
Veterinarian
Published on April 19th, 2018
Check her paw to make sure she doesn’t have nettles in it. The most common cause of intermittent lameness in Yorkie’s is a luxating patella. It can be genetic or from an injury. The knee cap jumps out of the groove when walking or jumping. Often when they straighten the leg it will go back in place again and then the dog will walk normally. I recommend a veterinary exam to check for this. If it’s minor usually building muscle in the thighs will help keep it in place. If it’s severe often surgery is needed to correct this. Yours sounds like a mild patella luxation. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Rose.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

My Morkie is limping on its hind leg. What could be the problem?

Two things come to my mind when I hear about rear legs giving way suddenly. I will address both separately. 1) Luxating patellas. This is a fancy name for loose knee caps. The groove the knee cap sits in is often shallow with smaller breed dogs, especially with the Yorkie or Maltese. The knee cap can slip in and out of place on its own quite readily in some dogs. It typically is not painful but can develop arthritis with time and this causes more irritation. What typically happens is the dog goes to step on the leg, the knee cap is not in place and they cannot place weight normally. Sometimes they do not place any weight on it, almost like a little skip, or they hold the leg up. The knee cap typically goes back into place on it's own or the dog kicks backwards and this puts it back into place. The arthritis can be managed with joint supplements or anti-inflammatories but typically the knee cap problem can only be fixed surgically and is only warranted in pets with severe trouble. 2) Bone injury -- without a known trauma, such as a fall or being hit by a car, a fracture is less likely. This causes the area to weaken and can suddenly become painful. It may not break but can be difficult to walk on. If this was the case, I would expect your dog to be painful if that area of his leg is touched. If you feel up and down his leg with pressure, does he seem painful? Do you feel any areas that are swollen?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My 8-year-old Yorkie is limping, but I see no injury. What's wrong?

Sweet Pea may have injured her leg or she may have arthritis or a joint abnormality that has flared up. Tick borne diseases can also occasionally cause limping and joint pain. Even though she does not seem to want to extend her leg the pain could be anywhere along the leg and not necessarily the paw or hock (ankle joint). Since she has continued to limp for a few days I would recommend seeing your veterinarian - they would hopefully be able to localize the pain and can recommend tests such as an x-ray and also prescribe pain medication. Limping is nearly always a sign of pain.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my 10-year-old Yorkie limping for days without pain?

Without examining Rolo, it is difficult to determine the exact causing of his limping. However, since you report that this limping has occurred in the past and resolved without intervention after a few hours, my main suspicion is that he may have a luxating patella. This condition is essentially a "loose" kneecap that can pop in and out of position. In most pets, the patella moves back into position without intervention, but in more severe cases, surgical intervention can be required to keep the patella in position. Other possible causes of Rolo's limping include acute soft tissue injury or fractures. Since Rolo has been experiencing a worsening lameness for several days, he should be examined by his vet and may need to have x-rays taken.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My small dog's leg popped and she was limping. Is it a luxating patella?

Hi there. From what you describe, it certainly sounds like she may have a luxating patella. This is a common problem in toy breed dogs. I would recommend taking her to the vet for an exam to determine if this is the problem. If so, it may be able to be managed with anti-inflammatory medication if it's only causing minor, occasional problems, or surgery may be recommended if the problem is more severe.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Yorkie puppy's hind leg pops when moving. Should I be worried?

Yorkies and other small breeds, can commonly have genetic problems such as luxating patella (knee cap) or lack of blood supply to the hip. It can move in and out of place depending on how bad it is. Sometimes there is a popping noise and they will often bunny hop when running. I would have your vet check the leg to be sure what the problem is as these can require a surgery to prevent further injuries and pain

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My Yorkie is carrying her back leg. What should I do about it?

Hello. Make sure that there is no hair caught in the nail bed & make sure none of the toe nails are broken, cracked or growing into the paw pad(s). If this looks OK, then the next step is to have your veterinarian evaluate Little Mama to see if this is a soft tissue problem like a sprain or ACL tear, a bone problem like a fracture, bone spur or arthritis, or possibly even a neoplastic issue. Rest her as much as possible until you can have her seen by your veterinarian. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog is limping and holding her leg up. Should I take her to vet?

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!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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