Many issues—ranging from mild to serious—can cause your dog to limp. However, determining the condition’s cause and severity can be challenging. Understanding the cause of your dog’s limping is the first step to addressing the problem and relieving their discomfort. Our Family Veterinary Clinic of Oakdale team shares three scenarios that can lead to canine limping and provide information you can use if your pet is affected. 

#1: Foreign bodies can injure your dog’s paw pads

Charlie and his owner love to hike on the scenic trail near their home. As they were walking one cool, sunny morning, Charlie’s owner noticed that his furry trail companion was limping slightly. The limp didn’t seem extreme, and Charlie’s owner took it as a cue to slow down the pace. They continued their walk and eventually returned home. A few hours later, Charlie’s limp seemed to have worsened, and he began licking and biting his front paw. This was a lightbulb moment for his owner, who gently picked up Charlie’s paw and examined his paw pad, paying close attention to the areas between his toes. Charlie’s owner quickly discovered the culprit—a prickly thorn pressed into the soft skin on Charlie’s paw pads. His owner immediately—and carefully—removed the painful foreign body. Charlie seemed relieved, stood up, and took a tentative step on his now thorn-free foot. The limp was gone, and Charlie was off and running. 

If you’ve ever stepped on something sharp, you are familiar with this painful feeling. Foreign bodies, such as glass, nails, sticks, and thorns, can cut and scrape your pet’s paw pads or become embedded in them, causing discomfort that leads to limping. 

#2: Dogs with joint disease often limp

Gus—a 9-year-old Lab mix—moved more slowly than he did in his younger years, but his owner assumed this was because Gus was getting up there in age. So, when Gus gradually developed a limp, his owner wasn’t overly concerned. Over time, Gus’ limp appeared to worsen and he began struggling with everyday activities such as climbing the stairs and jumping onto his favorite couch spot. Eventually, Gus’s owner brought the limping pooch to his veterinarian and learned Gus had arthritis—a degenerative joint disease—which causes joint inflammation that leads to pain and lameness. The veterinarian explained that arthritis often develops as pets age, because their joints wear down. Gus and his owner were sent home with an anti-inflammatory medication to decrease joint inflammation, and pain medications to relieve the pup’s joint achiness. His owner also began giving Gus a joint supplement every morning. Soon Gus’s limp became less severe, and he was clearly feeling much more comfortable. 

Arthritis is the most common cause of canine limping, affecting 80% of senior dogs. Other degenerative joint conditions, such as hip dysplasia and cruciate disease, also cause pain and inflammation, and a pet who has any of these conditions will likely develop a limp. 

#3: Athletic dogs can experience injuries and sprains

Blanca was a high-energy—yet incredibly clumsy—pup. She loved to run and was incredibly fast, but agility and poise were not her strong suits. A few days after a particularly rigorous play session, Blanca began limping. Her owner had seen this happen before and remembered that injuries to the soft tissues of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments can cause limping. While the severity of these injuries varies, Blanca’s owner knew that simple strains often go away with a little rest. Over the next week, Blanca’s owner restricted her activity by walking her outside on a leash to go to the bathroom, then bringing her back indoors to rest on her bed. By restricting Blanca’s exercise, her owner gave her muscles time to heal, and before long this high-energy pup was able to resume her normal routine. 

Broken bones, fractures, sprains, dislocations, ligament tears, joint trauma, and spinal injuries can all cause canine limping that ranges in severity. Athletic and high-energy dogs may ignore their body’s limits when jumping from heights and making quick turns during rigorous activities, making them prone to any of these injuries. 

While these are the most common canine limping causes, many other potential causes exist. To definitively determine the reason for your dog’s limping—and to relieve their discomfort—consult with your veterinarian. To determine the underlying cause of your dog’s limp and help them recover as quickly as possible, schedule an appointment with our Family Veterinary Clinic of Oakdale team.