Most dogs at one point in their lives will sustain an health issues.
Because they cannot tell us what is wrong, most of the time, it’s hard to tell exactly why they are limping or hobbling a bit when walking without being able to observe them directly.
That is why in this post we have laid out 3 Easy Ways to treat a limping dog at home.
Sometimes if we cannot immediately understand why our pets may have sustained injuries or other health conditions.
We might need to wipe our hands clean, go back home and try to imagine.
One way you can avoid spending too much time fretting about your pet’s condition is by examining his gait and behavior.
Because there are several key things vets and dog owners often investigate to determine whether there is any sort of existing cause for them being ill.
Below are few things to do when examining your dog.
CHECK FOR EXTERNAL INJURIES:
A dog limping is a sign that something isn’t right.
When your dog limps or even refuses to put weight on one leg, it could mean there’s an issue with his paw or paw pad.
The most common cause of limping is arthritis—but other issues may also be at play.
For example, some dogs develop bone spurs as they age, which often lead to stiffness and soreness.
There are three easy ways to treat your limping dog at home:
2) Wrapping His Paw
3) NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) Arthritis and Bone Spurs Arthritis occurs when cartilage wears down over time, causing bones to rub together.
Although joint pain is typically associated with older pets, younger dogs can also develop osteoarthritis due to wear and tear from normal activity.
As your pet ages, certain movements become painful and difficult for him to complete without being in pain.
He may limp when getting up from resting or try not to move around too much because it hurts too much.
If you’re not sure what might be causing him pain and discomfort, contact your veterinarian for more information.
Many minor injuries can be treated at home, but it’s best to have a professional opinion before administering any medication or treatment.
It’s important to note that just because your dog is aging doesn’t necessarily mean he has arthritis; however, these symptoms are a good indication that something isn’t quite right.
To reduce inflammation and relieve pain, wrap his paw using an elastic bandage. Try to avoid wrapping directly over your dog’s nails since doing so will prevent blood flow and cut off circulation.
You can use either vet wrap or athletic tape; both work well for supporting injured paws.
Start by making a loose loop around your dog’s foot, leaving about two inches between each wrap to allow room for swelling.
Keep in mind that many external injuries heal quickly with time and rest; however, if he doesn’t start walking normally after 24 hours.
He should receive further medical attention immediately.
WARMING YOUR PET’S MUSCLES:
The kneel is a common area for dogs to have mobility issues.
To keep your dog healthy, be sure he’s limber and warm before his daily walk.
Start with 10 minutes of walking in circles around your yard, followed by 5-10 minutes of leg stretches for each leg (4 total).
This can help loosen muscles and keep dogs from getting injured.
If you notice your dog’s limping or having trouble walking, schedule an appointment with his vet as soon as possible.
Don’t wait until it gets worse! For minor injuries, though, try these home remedies:
If your dog starts limping after exercise: He may just need some rest and a massage.
Gently rub his legs with coconut oil or lotion—that should ease any stiffness that’s come on due to overexertion.
You could also take him for a swim—swimming helps blood flow through tight muscles, which will give him some relief while providing you with some bonding time!
It also doesn’t hurt that water provides natural anti-inflammatory properties that will help soothe any soreness.
If there’s no improvement after two days of rest and gentle massage/swimming, visit your veterinarian ASAP—it could be more serious than just fatigue.
If your dog is limping around without any specific activity in mind:
This could mean he has an injury, but it could also mean he has arthritis.
Arthritis can occur in older dogs as their bones begin to deteriorate.
To treat arthritis pain at home, try giving him a warm bath (with Epsom salts if possible) followed by gentle massages using coconut oil or cream.
If he’s still having trouble walking, schedule an appointment with your vet.
Most likely, they’ll recommend glucosamine supplements to help reduce inflammation and provide joint support over time.
But keep in mind that supplements aren’t always necessary—your vet might recommend other treatments instead, depending on what caused your dog’s limp in the first place.
For example, if he tore a ligament or muscle during playtime, surgery might be required to fix it properly.
In either case, make sure you get proper treatment for your pup as soon as possible before his injury gets worse!
MASSAGING YOUR PET’S MUSCLES
We all know that dogs wag their tails when they’re happy, but did you know it’s also a sign of pain?
If your pup’s tail is pointing down and resting simply against its body or tucked between its legs, it could be a warning sign.
If your dog is limping and not acting like its usual self, try massaging his shoulders or legs for 10 minutes per day.
This can help relieve tension in muscles and hopefully get your pup moving again.
You should also talk to your vet if it continues after a few days; other conditions may cause similar symptoms.
And always make sure your pet has plenty of freshwater available! Dehydration can lead to muscle stiffness.
In case your pet doesn’t respond: Take him/her to see a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Dogs are quite stoic animals and will put up with pain longer than we humans will before showing any signs, so don’t delay!
If left untreated, canine arthritis can develop into something more serious.
There are various treatments available depending on what’s causing your dog’s discomfort, so don’t delay!
In some cases, surgery may be required which will cost anywhere from $500-$1,000+ depending on how severe things are getting.
It is also recommended that you keep your pet’s weight down if they have hip dysplasia or arthritis.
Extra weight puts extra stress on their joints and could lead to further injury.
If it’s an old injury:
Talk to your vet about whether there are exercises you can do with your dog to help strengthen his leg muscles and prevent future injuries.
Also, if your pet has a history of arthritis or hip dysplasia, try switching him from hard floors to carpeting or rugs.
Hard surfaces can put extra stress on joints that have already been injured, which could lead to further problems down the road.
And always make sure he has plenty of freshwater available! Dehydration will only exacerbate any joint pain he may be experiencing.