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My dog is limping on her right front paw. She has no arthritis and no issues with her pads. It is a sudden problem. Any suggestions about what it may be?
Optional Information: Type of Animal: Dog Gender: Female Age: 8 Name of Animal: Delsey Already Tried: Checked pads for burs, massaged shoulder. Checked for sprains.
Hello, I'm sorry to hear about Delsey and I'd like to help.
If she is bearing weight on her leg a fracture is very unlikely.
But soft tissue injuries are very possible and unless you extend or flex her leg in just the right way she may not tell you exactly where it hurts.
Make sure that you check her nails and nail beds (where the nail comes out of her toe) for any signs of splits, looseness or abnormal angle as the nail leaves the nailbed as well as redness or swelling.
If the toes look OK then compare each joint to her other leg's joints.
If all seems fine and you cannot come up with a particular area that is painful or swollen I would enforce strict rest for her tonight and tomorrow. No stairs, running or jumping. Leash walks to go outside to eliminate so she doesn't overdo.
If you do find a swollen area then you can alternate hot and cold compresses to the area, 10 minutes at a time every few hours for the next 24 hours. I would also also enforce strict rest for 24 to 48 hours, leash walks to go outside and no running, jumping or stairs.
If she isn't much better in 24 to 48 hours then it is time for a veterinary examination.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Experience: 19 years of experience treating cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, mice, and iguanas