A Complete Guide to Learning How to Treat a Limping Dog at Home


Contrary to popular belief, limping is a common issue experienced by the majority of dog owners. It can happen due to a variety of reasons. The severity can also differ depending upon why your dog is limping in the first place. 

Regardless of the reason, taking your pup to the vet is undoubtedly the safest path to tackle the problem. But there are times when this isn’t possible. Whatever the reason, learning how to treat a limping dog at home is something all responsible pet parents should know. 

Look Out for the Apparent Signs and Symptoms

injured dog's leg

Dogs usually use a combination of postures, body language, and facial expressions to communicate how they are feeling. Being responsible pet parents, we must pay attention to these cues, understand what your dog is trying to tell you, and look for signs of pain and injury. Among the number of problems pet parents notice in their dogs, limping is a common one. 

Aside from walking different, some of the most common telltale signs of limping include:

  • Refusal to put weight on the affected leg 
  • Favoring one leg more than the others 
  • Showing hesitance in going for a walk or climbing stairs
  • Lack of interest in playing or engaging in any physical activity and even
  • Yelping or crying out in pain when touching the affecting area

When faced with any of the above situations, learning how to treat a limping dog at home is something that comes in handy. Familiarizing yourself with treating dog limps and sudden lameness allows you to deal with the problem almost instantly or before the situation worsens.

Before treating your limping dog at home, you should stock up on an emergency kit. Doing so will not only help you stay organized but also allow you to find your way around necessary tools and bandages in case the need arises. Some of the essential things that you should stock in this emergency kit include:

  • An antibacterial soap or disinfectant (to protect against infection)
  • Clean towels (to provide emergency care)
  • Cotton gauze and pads
  • Self-sticking bandages
  • An ice pack or other anti-inflammatories
  • Epsom salt
  • Tweezers
  • Silver nitrate stick or cauterizing powder (to stop any bleeding in case of chronic conditions)
  • Essential oils for massage (to promote healing and reduce pain)

How to Treat a Limping Dog at Home – Causes and Treatment Options

Embedded Foreign Materials

injured dog's leg

Foreign objects can be anything – from a harmless piece of pebble to a thorn or even a piece of glass. If you notice a foreign object stuck in your dog’s paw, try to place the paw under light and gently remove it. Once you are done, double-check if the object has been completely removed or not. Now clean the affected area with light antibacterial soap and pat dry. Next, prepare a small tub of warm water with Epsom salt in it and soak the affected leg for a few minutes. Don’t forget to use a clean towel to wipe the area dry. 

Epsom salts are an effective remedy to reduce any potential swelling from the foreign body embedded in your dog’s leg. If the foreign body is something that can result in infection, then applying an antibiotic ointment is recommended.

Broken Nails

broken nails of dog

Torn or broken toenails can be quite painful for your little pooch, especially if it is closer to the sensitive quick area. Sometimes you may even notice sudden limping in your dog due to all the pain and bleeding. If you find yourself in such a situation, the first thing to keep in mind is to stay calm. Remember, your dog can sense you getting upset. This will only make him more anxious, causing their blood pressure to rise and making the bleeding even worse. 

Instead, treat the wound by gently removing any dangling or hanging nail pieces. Letting them stay will only cause your dog to be in pain. Next, take a clean towel and apply pressure to the area to stop the bleeding. Alternatively, you can also use a clean ice pack. This will not only help stop the bleeding but also provide relief and comfort to your dog. If the bleeding doesn’t stop with an ice pack, many vets also recommend using a silver nitrate stick or cauterizing powder.

However, if you notice that the bleeding doesn’t stop even after 10-20 minutes of applying the ice pack, it’s best to rush to the emergency vet clinic. You should also avoid wrapping the paw with tape or bandage as this may restrict the blood flow and worsen matters by causing pain and severe swelling.

Injured Paw Pads

injured dog paw pad

Healthy paw pads are crucial for the well-being of your dogs. Often, dogs end up tearing, burning, or puncturing their foot pads. Dogs with injured paw pads either limp or lick their paw pads in the hope of relieving the pain. However, having your little fur baby limp on an injured paw pad will only open the wound, causing him more pain and chances of infections. Since paw pad injuries are so familiar yet something that needs prompt attention, learning how to provide first aid at home is very important.

Start by examining your dog’s paw for debris or foreign objects and remove anything that shouldn’t be there. Next, disinfect the wound using an antibacterial soap. If there’s any bleeding, try stopping it by applying pressure through a clean towel or an ice pack. Now that you know the wound is clean and free from any bleeding, secure it with a bandage.

To do so, place gauze pads to cushion the bottom of the paw pad and wrap the entire foot in a self-sticking bandage. You’ll want to make sure that the bandage isn’t too tight, or you might cause issues with the blood flow to the paw, causing it to swell. Treating minor nicks and abrasions on the paw pad at home using the above-mentioned method is enough. However, in the case of a nasty cut or bruise, you’ll need to visit an emergency vet clinic after providing first aid to your dog.

Sprains

sprain dog

Strains and sprains usually happen when a dog overworks himself. Since they cannot vocalize the pain, these are usually displayed by limping, swollen paws and joints, and even excessive licking. Going to the vet and getting it checked out by a professional is the best course of action. 

However, you can still help ease the pain while your dog waits for his appointment if you know how to treat a limping dog at home.

First, try crating your dog to limit his movements. The less pressure he puts on the affected leg, the better. If you have to take him out to do his business, put him on a leash and keep the walk as short as possible. Also, apply ice packs on the affected joint twice daily to enhance circulation and reduce the swelling. 

Apart from ice packs, massaging the sprained leg with cinnamon or peppermint oil is also a great alternative. These are considered warm oils and help in soothing and restoring movement and enhancing blood circulation.

Regarding supplements, MSM, Green-lipped mussels, and glucosamine are some of the best joint supplements. These not only help with inflammations but also protect joints from any serious problems down the road.

When Should I Take My Dog to the Vet?

dog at the vet

Learning how to treat a limping dog at home is crucial for any responsible pet parent. It is equally important to know when the lameness has become severe and requires veterinary care for pain relief. Here are some of the key indicators to watch for to determine whether you need to schedule a vet appointment or not:

  • If your dog has been limping for more than a day (more than 24 hours)
  • If your dog is unable to stand at all (even to go to the bathroom)
  • If your dog is dragging the affected limb while walking
  • In case you suspect a fracture or your dog has been bleeding for more than 20 minutes
  • When your dog has been in severe pain for more than an hour

Other symptoms to watch out for:

  • Vomiting and lethargy
  • High fever
  • Labored breathing
  • Disorientation

Final Verdict

Some reasons for limping might require vet appointments, x-rays, blood work, and even surgery. However, minor issues can be resolved just by learning how to treat your limping dog at home. The tips mentioned above serve as a starting point to help you navigate your way around lameness in dogs. It also allows you to learn everything there is to know about providing at-home support for your limping dog.

Being a responsible pet parent is no longer limited to providing two meals a day and taking your dogs out for a walk. It includes a lot more than that. Being prepared for any emergency, like learning how to treat a limping dog at home, is all part of the responsibility. Luckily we have a bunch of articles that can help you out in desperate times. We can teach you everything you need to know in order to look out for your furry friend.

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