Dog limping is common but not normal and is a sign of illness or injury. Lameness, or limping, means the dog is walking abnormally on one or more limbs. This may be due to pain, loss of function, or both. If your dog is limping, it's important to take action, and how fast to act depends on the severity of the lameness. Here's what you need to know if your dog is limping.

Causes of Limping in Dogs

Dog limping is caused by either an injury or an illness, which usually means that your dog is in some discomfort. However, your dog could be physically incapable of moving normally whether or not they're in pain. There are numerous reasons for limping in dogs.

• Sprain, strain, torn ligament or tendon
• Cut on paw or foot
• Foreign object stuck in paw or foot
• Torn toenail
• Bite from an animal or insect
• Arthritis
• Fracture (broken bone)
• Dislocation, luxation, or subluxation of a joint
• Patellar luxation (affects one or both knees)
• Cruciate injury (affects one or both knees)
• Hip dysplasia (affects one or both rear limbs)
• Elbow dysplasia 
• Intervertebral disc disease (slipped disc or herniated disc)
• Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD can affect one or both shoulders)
• Panosteitis (occurs in puppies; sometimes referred to as "growing pains")
• Degenerative Myelopathy
• Infection (may be internal or external)
• Immune-Mediated Polyarthritis
• Tick-borne disease
• Cancer (less common); often a bone tumor, though some cancers in the lungs can affect the front limbs
• Congenital malformation (birth defect)
• Other muscle, nerve, bone, or immune system disorder

In some cases, the actual cause of limping cannot be determined. Your veterinarian will talk to you about options for diagnosing and treating your dog's limping.

What To Do if Your Dog Is Limping

Dog limping is not typically an emergency, but severe lameness should be addressed by a veterinarian as soon as possible. If you notice your dog limping, first assess the situation.

The nature of your dog's lameness can help your veterinarian make a diagnosis, so make a note of what you see. In some cases, the dog can put weight on all limbs but a limp or abnormal gait is observed, which may be obvious or subtle. Sometimes, the dog will hold up the affected limb and will not put any weight on it. The dog may even drag the affected limb around. Limping and lameness may be intermittent or constant depending on the situation.

If you notice your dog is limping, but have determined it is not an emergency, there may be a few things you can do to help. Your dog will probably still need to see the vet, but you can get more information. If your dog will allow it, try to get a closer look at the affected limb:

• Gently handle the foot and leg, looking for cuts, bruises, swelling, heat, tender spots, instability, and any other unusual signs.
• Look at the paw pad and between the toes to see if there is a wound or a foreign object stuck somewhere.
• Check for torn toenails and other nail problems.
• Gently manipulate the joints to check for tenderness or stiffness. You may feel or hear grinding in the joints that might indicate arthritis.
  

Rest and Confinement

In many cases of limping, there will be no external signs. If this is the case for your dog and the limping is mild, try to keep him quiet and comfortable for a few days.

• Encourage your dog to rest and do not allow him to exercise or jump up.
• Provide soft beds that are low to the ground. 
• Avoid stairs or carry your dog up and down the steps.
• For potty breaks, take your dog out on a short leash just to do his business.
• Crate rest is the best plan, especially if you won't be home for part of the day. Alternatively, you may confine your dog to a very small area.
  

If the limping does not begin to improve within 24-48 hours, bring your dog to the vet for an examination.

Wounds

If you find a minor wound, clean it with gentle soap and lukewarm water (no hydrogen peroxide or alcohol). You can apply an antiseptic ointment if desired, but make sure to keep your dog from licking the area. Major wounds should be handled by a veterinarian as soon as possible. If you can't easily see how deep the cut is, you should go to the vet for closer examination.

Swelling

If you notice swelling on the leg where your pet is limping, it's best to call the vet for advice. They may advise rest and applying ice to the area (wrap ice in a clean towel) for 15-20 minutes. If swelling on the leg or a limp persists beyond 12 to 24 hours or seems to get worse, it is important to see the vet. In some areas of the country where poisonous snakes are common, mild swelling and a sudden lameness may be the only sign that a poisonous snake bite has occurred. If you suspect your pet has been bitten by a snake, call the vet right away.

Foreign Objects

If your dog has a small object in his paw (like a tiny splinter or piece of glass) you can try to dislodge it with tweezers, but be very careful! Your dog might bite out of pain and you don't want to get hurt too. If you are able to pull out the item, clean it afterward as you would for a small cut and observe the area for a few days. If you cannot remove the item (or are uncomfortable trying) go to the vet for help.

How to Move an Injured Dog

Be very careful when moving an injured dog as you could accidentally make the injuries worse or cause unnecessary pain. A painful dog may bite out of self-protection, even if they've never bitten anyone before.

• Carefully lift your dog into the car (don't let him jump)
• If your dog is unable to walk, it's best to find help carrying him to the car unless he is small. 
• If necessary, slide a sheet or blanket under your dog followed by a board or cardboard box to act as a stretcher. With the help of another person, slowly move your dog to the car and secure them in place if possible. 
• If you are concerned about moving your dog or need help finding the best way to move him, call a veterinary office for advice. 

Minor limping may resolve on its own without treatment, but most cases will need veterinary intervention. If you notice anything that makes you worried, you should contact a veterinarian for advice or simply head over to the vet's office. It's always better to exercise caution when it comes to your dog's health.

Treatment for Dog Limping

Treatment for dog limping depends on the cause of the limping. Your veterinarian will ask questions about your dog's medical history, including how long the limping has been going on and whether or not you saw the original injury. Provide as much information as you can about your dog's limping and medical history. If the limping is intermittent or there is another abnormal aspect to the gait, you may wish to take a video to show the vet.

Your vet will conduct a physical examination, checking over your dog's entire body to find reasons for the lameness and check for concurrent health issues. X-rays are often necessary to look for fractures and other abnormalities in the limbs. In some cases, sedation is necessary to get the best images. Your vet may also recommend lab testing to assess organ function and blood cell counts.

Treatment options vary but may include:

• Rest and confinement
• Pain medication, including anti-inflammatory drugs such as carprofen
• Physical therapy
• Acupuncture
• Surgery

Be sure to follow up regularly with your veterinarian about the status of your dog's limping. Don't wait for things to get serious. If the limping does not improve or gets worse, your vet will need to adjust the treatment plan. Your vet may also recommend advanced diagnostics or a second opinion from a veterinary specialist in the case of a major issue, or if your dog has undiagnosed limping that does not go away.

How to Prevent Limping in Dogs

Limping can't always be prevented, but you can take steps to keep your dog safe and prevent some injuries and illnesses:

• Avoid over-exercising your dog.
• Don't let your dog roam off-leash without supervision.
• Protect paws from hot pavement and ice-melting products.
• Visit the veterinarian for annual or biannual checkups, where they may detect issues before they trouble your dog.
• Have your senior dog screened for arthritis.