Experienced and professional animal trainer provide their insights in answering this question :
A. I am afraid more information such as age, breed, previous injuries and mechanism of current accident wold all be required to help you accurately. Dislocated hips are quite common on both dogs and cats and would require an x-ray to investigate the direction of the dislocation and if any fractures are present. If the back leg is held off the ground and especially if the foot is held at a strange angle to the body I recommend you arrange a visit for her as soon as possible. Do not feed her as she may need sedation in order to x-ray or repair the problem
How to Identify Common Pet Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced pet care professionals :
In dogs, strains are common in the hips and thighs. Sprains harm the ligaments that connect bones, which causes joint damage. Sprains can happen to hunting dogs who jump hurdles, as well as to the average dog who may hurt himself taking a hard landing off the couch, or even by something as simple as stepping in a hole.
Signs and Diagnosis of a Dog Sprained Leg
Lameness is usually the first sign of a dog sprained leg — this indicates your dog is in pain. Swelling may follow. If the leg becomes warm or hot, however, it`s unlikely that the limping is due to a simple sprain.
Limping is one of the first signs most pet owners notice when their dogs suffer sprained legs. If your dog has suddenly started limping and you can`t see any visible injuries on her leg, paw, or body, there`s a good chance she may have sprained her leg while playing or running.
Grade I sprains are minor and can heal within weeks. Grade II sprains improve with treatment. However, these injuries can take more time to heal, especially if your pet undergoes surgery. Recovery can extend from weeks to months if your dog has a Grade III sprain.
The most common symptoms of hip strain or sprain is pain over the hip. Pain typically intensifies with increased activity. You may also feel swelling, tenderness, stiffness, muscle spasm and bruising along the hip. You could also lose muscle strength or flexibility and have difficulty walking.
Weakness and pain in the hind legs are the usual clinical signs. The dog appears wobbly and is reluctant to rise from a sitting or lying position. Some dogs will limp or be reluctant to climb stairs. These signs can be seen in puppies as early as a few months old but are most common in dogs one to two years of age.
Many sprains and strains can be treated simply with rest and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as Rimadyl, Metacam, or Galliprant. If rest is recommended, it is important to keep your dog`s activity level as low as possible. Leash walk only when taking them outside to eliminate.
Once the veterinarian has evaluated the sprain she will give it one of three grades: Grade I – Only a minor part of the ligament is torn and the joint is still functional; some swelling and pain are evident, but the dog usually is able to walk.
Soft Leg Support
While they will be lying down for an extended period, you may still want to provide them with some support that limits how much they can bend their sprained joint. That is when you would want to use a soft splint or wrap like the Walkin` Wrist Hugger or Walkin` Hock Hugger.
Regardless of the issue causing the pain in your hip, you will benefit from going on regular walks. This is true for so many reasons. First, regular exercise helps to keep the muscles around the hip strong and flexible. This will help to control any swelling that may occur around a damaged joint.
A severe strain can limit your ability to move your hip. Anyone can experience a hip strain just doing everyday tasks, but strains most often occur during sports activities. Although many hip strains improve with simple home treatment, severe strains may require physical therapy or other medical treatment.
If your dog has swelling associated with a sprain, bruise, or tendonitis, apply ice packs to the area for 15 minutes twice daily. Flowing water improves circulation, reduces swelling, and promotes healing. Place your dog in a tub and swirl water around the leg or spray the leg with a hose for 15 minutes twice daily.
If the hip strain or sprain is mild, your doctor will recommend compression, ice, and elevation in combination with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. If your strain or sprain has not improved with conservative treatments, physical therapy may be needed to increase strength and flexibility.
A broken hip may also be allowed to heal without surgery. In some cases, if the hip is fractured, it may not need to be treated with surgery. For example, if the ends of the broken bone are impacted, or were pushed together due to extreme force from an accident of fall, the bone can heal naturally.
Hip dysplasia is when the hip joints don`t fit together properly and become unstable. Hip dysplasia causes pain, swelling, stiffness and eventually arthritis. Dogs with hip dysplasia usually begin showing symptoms while they are growing (at around 5-6 months of age).
Apply An Ice Pack or Heating Pad
Both cold and heat therapy may also help ease your dog`s pain. Cold therapy is commonly used for new injuries in the last 24 to 48 hours, while heat therapy is for chronic, long-term injuries.
Most strains settle down within days, and affected dogs are often sound within a week or two. However, it may take a convalescent period to regain full strength.
Look at the site of the limp for signs of bleeding, to help determine if the condition is from a bite, injury, or puncture. Often if the limping isn`t serious you can watch your dog at home for between 24 & 48 hours to see if more symptoms occur or if the limp gets worse.
In general, gradual onset limps in dogs are caused by an underlying, chronic or degenerative condition, such as osteoarthritis or dysplasia. Sudden onset limps, on the other hand, are usually caused by an injury or trauma. Just because your dog has a gradual limp does not mean you should put off making an appointment.
Dogs with a pulled muscle will have symptoms similar to those observed with a torn muscle; however, the symptoms will be milder. Things to look for when a muscle is pulled are muscle spasms, weakness, cramping, and immobility, as well as pain, bruising, and swelling.
Dogs can have pulled muscles just like humans, and it can be heartbreaking to watch your dog walk around with a limp. The muscles most often injured are those in a dog`s front or hind legs and the most common symptom is a limp.
No, you should never give your dog Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Human NSAIDs, including Ibuprofen and Tylenol, can be toxic to dogs, even in small doses, according to rover.com.
If your pet is limping but not showing any signs of pain, it is still worth contacting your vet for advice. Because dogs can`t speak, it can sometimes be difficult to spot when they`re in pain, whether it be as a result of injury or an underlying issue.
Can a dog`s dislocated hip heal on its own? You should NOT wait for your dog`s dislocated hip to “heal on its own.” If the dislocation is not corrected, the body will try to stabilize the area with scar tissue. However, this type of healing is not very strong and will not give the dog a normal range of motion.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
Q. My pomeranians back leg is bothering her I believe it is sprained she cant walk on it.she can stand on it and is not in any pain should she see vet
ANSWER : A. If you believe the leg may be sprained or you are seeing signs of injury such as pain, swelling, limp or loss of use of the leg, then scheduling a veterinary appointment is best. Your vet can examine the leg, and may also recommend an X-ray to check for breaks, sprains and dislocations that can all cause these issues. Until you can get into your vet it is best to limit all activity to strict kennel rest and leashed walks outside ONLY to go potty to help reduce the pain and decrease further injury to the limb.
Read Full Q/A … : Pomeranian Health – Problems, Medical Concerns, Issues
Q. Hello.. My jack russel has started to get a bowed front leg at the ankle and is causing him to limp quiet a lot.. Is there anything that can be done.?
ANSWER : A. It is possible an injury or deformity of the leg is causing the limp and physical changes you are seeing. Sprains, breaks, strains and even nutritional deficiencies may cause the leg to bow and pain/limping to occur. Having a vet take an X-ray and examine the leg is best to determine the cause of the changes and limp as well as the treatment needed. Casting, bed rest, and medications to treat pain may all be needed to help the leg heal. Until you can get to the vet, a regime of strict kennel rest with leashed walks only to go potty outside will help reduce any further injury to the leg and decrease pain.
Read Full Q/A … : Jack Russell FAQs Page!
Q. My Chihuahua was jumping and suddenly started whining. Now she won’t put her hind leg down, but doesn’t cry when I mess with it. Will it heal on own?
ANSWER : A. Leg injuries are very common in small dogs, especially if they have jumped from a high place, or even stumbled and landed on the leg wrong. Leg injuries can be caused by anything from minor sprains and strains, to full blown breaks or joint tears and even arthritis or luxating patellas (knee joints that slip in and out). If the leg appears swollen, dislocated or there is visible bone or bleeding, veterinary care should be sought. Providing strict kennel rest and decreased activity for a day or two can help with minor injuries, however if the limping continues for more than a day you should make an appointment with your local veterinarian.
Read Full Q/A … : Causes of Limping in Dogs
Q. Think she sprained her leg swollen at hip
ANSWER : A. I am afraid more information such as age, breed, previous injuries and mechanism of current accident wold all be required to help you accurately. Dislocated hips are quite common on both dogs and cats and would require an x-ray to investigate the direction of the dislocation and if any fractures are present. If the back leg is held off the ground and especially if the foot is held at a strange angle to the body I recommend you arrange a visit for her as soon as possible. Do not feed her as she may need sedation in order to x-ray or repair the problem
Read Full Q/A … : Help! My Chicken Has a Sprained Ankle – One Hundred Dollars a …
Q. My kitten is limping his back leg I touch his leg all over but when I touch his upper leg he crys he can walk a little rub his hip no pain he sriving
ANSWER : A. Your kitten sounds like he may be suffering from an orthopedic injury or he may have injured the nerves in that leg. Though it may not be obviously painful, the limping does indicate that he is hurting. Please have him seen by a veterinarian. Kitten bones are very fragile and very easy to damage or break. Your veterinarian may wish to perform an x-ray.
Read Full Q/A … : Causes of Limping in Dogs
Q. My dog was playing fech and started limping and walking on 3 legs some times he walks on all 4 legs. Do I need to go to a vet?
ANSWER : A. Yes I would recommend a vet visit because he is having intermittent (off and on) limping it could mean he has a muscle sprain or a torn ligament in the knee. They can look the same so it is important to have your vet examine and perform a lameness exam to tell which is more likely so that proper treatment is implemented to help avoid further injury to that leg and also the other leg he most definitely is bearing more weight on to take the pressure off the injured one.
Read Full Q/A … : Why is My Dog Limping? 15 Causes of Lameness in Dogs
Q. My German Shepherdhas moderate Hip dysplasia. He can walk short distances 1/4 mile. Then his right leg fails. What is the best hip brace to get him?
ANSWER : A. You can by hip orthesis designed for dogs and adjusted to your pet. Ask your vet about it. You should also concider surgical treatment if it’s possible. See your vet to check if problems with walking is connected with hip and there isn’t other underlyiing cause
Read Full Q/A … : I believe my dog suffers from hip dysplasia. What can I do …
Q. My dog keeps bitting down on his upper rear leg or hip area. Not biting like to itch but applying pressure and hold it.
ANSWER : A. This might be due to hip pain, take him to the vet to get his hips checked foe pain, maybe xrayed even in order to see if there is any hip damage.
Read Full Q/A … : Dog moaning, dashing, and biting back area – Questions …
