Rambunctious puppies are the ultimate “party people.” It’s no wonder that they occasionally get bumps and bruises that cause limping.
Sometimes limping is no big deal and goes away on its own. Other times, it’s a more serious condition that needs treatment from a veterinarian. Limping in puppies occurs because of two main reasons: injury or developmental (growth-related) issues.
So, first off, let’s talk about injuries. Puppies love to run, jump, bite and tumble, so it’s not too surprising when they get injured. Sometimes injuries are bad enough to cause limping. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Something stuck in the paw. Thorns, plant debris, chewing gum or other objects get stuck between toes or poke into the paw pad.
- Broken toenail. The nail may be gone or sticking out at an odd angle. Broken toenails can bleed a surprising amount, but it usually looks worse than it is. Sometimes there’s also a bit of blood around the base of the nail.
- Puncture or cut. Wounds on the paws or legs are tender and often cause limping.
- Sprain or bruise. Muscles and tendons that get stretched too far or bumped too hard can cause pain.
- Insect sting. Bee, wasp and scorpion stings can cause sudden pain. You might find a stinger in the skin or a swollen, red area.
- Broken bones and dislocated joints. Broken bones and joint dislocations are serious injuries. Most puppies won’t put pressure on a leg with this kind of injury. This can occur after fall injuries, really rough play with other animals or getting hit by a car.
In the absence of a known injury, we must consider a few painful conditions that develop as puppies grow. These problems can affect one or multiple legs and are more common in large breeds.
- Panosteitis. Painful inflammation in the long bones of growing dogs.
- Elbow or hip dysplasia. Elbow and hip dysplasia happen when the elbow or hip joints grow abnormally.
- Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). In OCD, the cartilage that protects the bony part of joints breaks off and causes pain.
- Luxating patella. The kneecap pops out of place. This is one exception in that it’s most common in small breeds.
If your puppy is limping, the first step is not to panic! Stay calm and assess the situation. Follow these steps:
- Check their legs and feet for swelling, pain, heat, redness, cuts/punctures or items stuck to the feet.
- Keep your pet calm and quiet. Confine and watch them for 15 to 30 minutes to see if the limping is improving, staying the same or getting worse.
- Don’t give them any medication unless prescribed by a veterinarian.
Sometimes it’s obvious that a puppy has a more severe injury. If any of the following are true, seek help from your veterinarian right away.
- Your puppy isn’t putting pressure on the sore leg after 30 minutes.
- Extreme pain or bleeding that won’t stop.
- Your puppy has other signs besides limping. For example, if your puppy is struggling to breathe, throwing up, showing overall weakness or has swelling on any part of their body, they need emergent attention.
- An obvious fracture or dislocation.
- A known history of traumatic injury (such as being hit by a car).
If you have any concerns about your puppy, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your VCA care team.
Learn more about developmental bone diseases in dogs.
