Why is my puppy limping?

What does limping in my puppy mean?

True limping is a sign the dog is in pain. Typically, a short, sharp pain causes the dog to carry the leg up, whereas reduced aching, dull pain ends up in a limp or reduced weight-bearing.

Signs of lameness in your Puppy

• Pain

• Loss of muscle mass

• Unusual gait when your puppy is walking or running.

• Grating sound when joints move

• Swelling of limb

• Obvious break or dislocation

• Unusual posture when standing, sitting or lying down

• Reluctance to exercise or perform normal activities such as climbing stairs

• Dragging or scuffing paws

• Confusion, trembling or falling over

Causes of your puppy Limping

There are several reasons a young dog could limp. Heading the list are muscular sprains and strains, therefore there’s no need to panic if your puppy limps initially get some rest, and if the matter persists, get your puppy checked by the vet.

Trauma is another biggie, and as young bones are soft, this could mean fractures. If the dog’s leg is at an odd angle or won’t bear weight, an associate degree urgent appointment.

It is possible to have a generalised or shifting limping (limping on more than one leg) if the matter is down to poor nutrition (nutritional osteodystrophy). this may be the results of an all-meat diet or a poor-quality diet lacking in minerals.

Another reason for nonspecific limping is panosteitis. this is often similar to “growing pains” and affects the long bones of certain breeds, notably German Shepherds. Treatment is straightforward pain relief, and therefore the symptoms sometimes resolve once the dog has finished growing.

Moving on, we get some inherited conditions, where the genetics of the parent dog increase the chances of the pup having the problem. Examples of this are:

Luxating Patellas:

• a luxating patella is a kneecap that moves out of its normal location. Pet owners may notice a skip in their dog’s step or see their dog run on three legs. Then suddenly they will be back on all four legs as if nothing happened.

Hip Dysplasia:

• The hip joint should match into the socket to allow smooth movement. Dogs with hip dysplasia have misshapen hips that cause rubbing, pain and inflammation with every step.

Elbow Dysplasia:

• Elbow dysplasia could be a painful condition that causes one or each elbow to develop abnormally while a puppy is growing. There are three main spaces within the elbow joint that may be affected; some dogs have only one problem area, whereas others suffer from a combination.

Asymmetrical growth:

• Usually, joints and bones grow at the same time and if one leg is growing quicker than others, it'll lead to lameness. It usually happens to one leg, therefore the body moves around the growing leg which ends in limping.

What are the benefits of hydrotherapy for your puppy?

From cooling off throughout a hot summer’s day at the beach to keeping in great form, humans love the water. and also the same goes for our canine companions. If your dog has been unwell or injured ensuring they find the right team to help and support the journey ahead.

Whether you would like to ease your puppies growing pains or get him back on his feet once surgery, getting your pooch in the water is also simply the thing he needs.

Here’s a fast guide to merely a number of the advantages that Hydrotherapy Treatment brings to our trustworthy friends.

What is hydrotherapy for my puppy?

In sessions usually lasting from ten minutes to half an hour, the Hydrotherapy treatment uses water to supply relief from different types of conditions.

There are two common methods of treatment for dogs all using different equipment and serving different purposes.

An underwater treadmill is often used for joint problems and inflammatory disease and those dogs recovering from surgery because it provides nice pain relief.

Dog pools use water resistance to assist improve joint motion and muscle strength. It primarily targets elbows, chest muscles, limbs and shoulders.

What are the advantages of hydrotherapy for your puppy?

Recovery from injury or surgery

The number one reason that vets may recommend hydrotherapy for your dog is to speed up recovery from injury and surgery. The water resistance and buoyancy makes it an excellent non-weight-bearing environment to start the journey back to health.

When dogs aren’t moving, they lose muscle terribly quickly. hydrotherapy helps them work their joints, maintain muscle mass, and move around comfortably all while minimising their discomfort. hotter water is usually used for such therapy or recovery sessions because it helps loosen tight muscles.

Before undertaking any session of hydrotherapy it's vital to require veterinary recommendation the team at Fit4dogsuk can take care of this for you

Pain relief for Puppies

There are several painful conditions that have an effect on the joints of dogs together with inflammatory disease, hip and elbow abnormality and degenerative arthritis of the shoulder. For canine sufferers, these conditions make exercise terribly painful.

However, the weightless feeling we've all intimate with once having a dip within the pool means that such dogs will still get some exercise – without undue weight and strain on their muscles and joints.

Increased blood circulation (particularly if the water is warm) and therefore the gentle pressure of the water also does wonders for swollen joints, providing the right drug-free methodology of pain relief.

Weight loss for your puppy.

One of the largest advantages to having dogs hit the pool is the weight loss potential that comes with moving in the water.

If your dog is unfit it are often tough to exercise on land because the additional weight puts a strain on the joints. However, in water buoyancy ensures that the strain won't be as great.

Your dog will thus work those muscles while not putting an excessive amount of stress on the joints. Even the most immobile pups can enjoy a little run within the water.

Keeping your puppy Fit and Healthy

When it involves fitness and muscle conditioning, hydropathy is a nice low-impact exercise that may be done regardless of the weather and regardless of the age of the dog.

This is a perfect method for working, show and agility dogs or those dogs that can’t be let off the lead to keep in form. it's additionally helpful for aged dogs that can’t walk simply to keep up their muscle mass.

Movement within the water helps work the muscles so well that the time required for a hydropathy session can be less than the time required for an identical exercise on land.

As with humans, a dog’s heart and lungs also will work a great deal harder in water, particularly once the exercise is involved. Regardless of the methodology of hydropathy you selected, your dog’s whole cardiovascular and respiratory systems can get a deep work out, while during a safe, fun atmosphere.

How Hydrotherapy can help your puppies Mental well-being.

A puppy or injured pup can soon start to show signs of unhappiness or aggression if their movement is painful or restricted. Movement in water will stimulate your dog’s release of endorphins, which can both reduce pain and increase mental stimulation.

Book your puppy a Hydrotherapy Session

Here at fit4dogsuk, we have a team of Qualified Canine Hydrotherapists, Physiotherapists and Vet Nurses.

With a range of services to meet the needs of all small animals, you would not be in a better place. Fill in the contact form to get started.