Why is my dog limping?

Question

He has been limping for a few days now, he is a golden retriever. It is with his left back foot and almost seems like both back feet. He walks on the tips of his feet. We asked the breeder when we got him if there was any hip problems in the family and she said no, but what could this be? (he was born this April) thanks!

Answer 1

maybe its hip dyplasia or a muscle problem. talk to your vet. doesnt your brreder have like a health gauruntee  or something?

Answer 2

Dear Alex,

Anytime lameness persists longer than 48 hours a veterinary visit is warranted. As some of the other replies suggested the lameness could be an indication of an injury and or joint problems. The age and breed of your dog also suggest that there might be some issues with rapid growth. There is a condition called Panosteitis (wandering lameness).

Panosteitis is a disease of large, rapidly growing puppies between 5 and 12 months of age. A characteristic sign is the tendency for pain and lameness to shift from one limb to another over the course of several weeks or months. The disease is self-limiting, but lameness may persist for several months. Symptoms usually disappear by the time the dog is 20 month old. Analgesics prescribed by you veterinarian can be given to relieve pain. If the dog is severely affected, restrict exercise.

Also, if you are still feeding a puppy formula - STOP and switch to an adult formula. Large breed dogs should be taken of puppy food way sooner than smaller breeds. The idea is to slow the growth, as it is rapid growth that can cause problems such as the one you describe. Furthermore, puppies that are altered (spayed or neutered) at a very young age tend to grow larger than they should, because hormones play a large role in bone growth and all that can lead to problems with joints.

In any case I believe that you should take your dog to a vet for proper diagnoses.

Regards,

Thomas

Answer 3

If you have stairs maybe he tripped while climbing up oe down them. Or also my dog had the same problem he was playing and he fell and started limping. But he just needed to rest for a couple days. Since he is a puppy he has a lot of energy and gets excited so those could be a couple reasons.

Answer 4

He may have just strained a muscle.  Pups do that a lot when they are growing up.

Answer 5

Only your vet can tell you.

Sprains, strains, bruises, things stuck between the pads, burns, spinal injury, hip dysplasia, torn cruciate, luxating patella, fracture, neurological issue, and lyme disease are all valid possibilities.

Answer 6

I know you asked The Breeder but have you asked your Vet?  It would be a good place to start.  Had a Boxer , Spencer that was diagnosed with Hip Displasia when he was just 4mths. old like your little guy.  I don't say this to scare you & i truly hope thiss is not what is going on with your puppy.  Have the Vet.  take x-rays of back legs & hips.  My Boxer was bought at a pet store and i was assured he was in good health.  They did offer to replace him with another pup.  That was "my son"!  We ended up with 11 wonderful years together.  Just had to put him down last month (Cancer),  Good luck & God Bless both of you.

Answer 7

Well, you should definately go see a vet

If he's young, the limping's probably caused by

a sprain or a broken bone.

Answer 8

There could have been an injury during the pregnancy (as in, he got injured while his mother was giving birth to him).  Take him to the Vet, it could be anything.