Dog First Aid ? Limping | Love My Pets GPS Pet Safety Products ...

August 22, 2012 ? Jerry Welsh

There are various reasons why a dog would limp. Dogs are intelligent animals and the pet may have learned to walk on three legs to amuse its human family. Dogs though can be considered as accident prone animals because they have high prey drives and active personalities thus it would not be surprising if the pet would come home limping. A sprain, a stone that was lodged between the dog?s toes, a thorn that was embedded on the dog?s paws would make walking difficult for the pet. A condition as minor as a broken nail would make the dog limp. These are not serious concerns and after a while the dog?s limping will be gone.

Other cases of limping though would need treatment. The reason why the dog is limping may be serious enough to warrant urgent medical attention lest it results to permanent walking disability. Limping is a condition most common in large breeds because it is quite easy for the paw, foot and legs to get injured because of the considerable weight of the body. Even the normal activities of playing and running can result to cuts, sprains and torn ligaments.

A dog owner has to have first aid knowledge as emergency care will be needed to help the pet. Ignoring the dog?s condition can lead to irreparable damage that would debilitate the pet for life. Emergency care can save the pet from the pain as well. A dog owner that see the dog limping will know at once that the pet has an injury.

The first reaction of a caring dog owner is to see what is wrong with the pet. The foot, paw and legs will be thoroughly examined. Any foreign object between the pet?s toes must be removed. It is necessary to manipulate the toes and the joints of the foot. The dog would yelp if there is pain or discomfort. The limping can be due to a cut in the paw.

The dog?s wound must be thoroughly washed. Sterile gauze must be used to bandage the wound after an antibiotic ointment is applied. Fractures or dislocation can be the reason why the dog is limping. Never try to set the bone or realign the dislocated joints. Only vets and qualified people can manage these kinds of injuries. However, the dog owner can prevent further damage by splinting the injured foot with rolled newspaper or with a flexible wire that can be bent into the shape of the dog?s foot. Wrapped in gauze or a strip of cloth, the splint will immobilize the injured foot to prevent further damage.

Learn more about limping at Sarah?s Dogs.

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