My dog has suddenly started limping but doesn't seem to be in pain – help!

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Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone.

Nala and I have just spent a week on holiday in the countryside, staying in a quiet house with some friends. One afternoon, we went down to the village to play tennis; she was running around the court trying to catch the ball as usual. When we headed back, everything seemed fine and she was her usual energetic self. However, once we got indoors, we noticed she wasn't moving much and was just lying down (which isn't like her at all). Then she started limping on her left leg.

I've checked everything—her pads, between her claws, her joints and muscles—but she doesn't show any sign of pain when I touch her! She only whimpers when she moves too quickly or puts pressure on the leg, like when she's trying to jump onto the bed.

We got home today and she’s limping a bit less, but she’s still not putting full weight on it and whimpers when it's uncomfortable.

Does anyone have any advice? (Specific areas to check / applying a cold compress / keeping her rested?) I was wondering if it could be a sting or a bite, I really don't know... should I take her to the vet? I'm assuming nothing is broken as she would have yelped at the time and she doesn't react when I move her leg. If anyone has dealt with this before or has any tips, it would be amazing!

Thanks.

Translated from French
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    • ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Even if your dog isn't showing any obvious signs of pain, you really should get her checked out by a vet. My dog had a double fracture in his knee, and yet he never once made a sound, even when it was being flexed and extended... So, in my opinion, how they seem to be handling the pain isn't a reliable indicator. Especially if you’re saying she whimpers when she exerts herself – that definitely suggests she must be in some pain after all...

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    Tania28
    Tania28 Icon representing the flag French
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    Dysplasia issues are cropping up in younger and younger dogs these days; don’t just leave Nala like that. The sooner the condition is diagnosed and treatment is started, the better it’ll be for the dog 🙂
    Translated from French
    Tania28
    Tania28 Icon representing the flag French
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    Lameness should never be taken lightly, especially in a young Malinois prone to dysplasia. Since you're in London, you should head to the RVC; they have the best orthopaedic specialists in Europe!

    The trouble is, I can't really afford to shell out for loads of X-rays.

    There's no two ways about it, you're going to have to find out what's causing it.

    Translated from French
    M
    Mel1 Icon representing the flag French
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    You can find a low-cost clinic in Paris; it’ll work out cheaper for you.

    You won’t see the top specialist in Europe there, but you’ll get a diagnosis! ;-)

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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    Limping due to dysplasia can appear at any age and usually follows exercise!
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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    If you don't do what’s necessary right now, it’ll cost you a fortune later! An untreated limp and your dog is done for! It’s up to you to decide if your dog’s life is worth proper care or not! It won’t get better on its own and will just keep coming back more often and become more and more debilitating! But dysplasia is a hereditary condition; in this case, his limp started after he'd been running around a lot, and he doesn't have any of the other symptoms at all (like a lack of muscle in his back end, stiffness, or trouble jumping).
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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    If you don’t get this sorted right now, it’s going to cost you a fortune later! If a limp isn’t treated properly, your dog is done for! It’s up to you to decide whether your dog’s life is worth proper care or not! It won’t just get better on its own; it’ll keep coming back more and more often and it’ll be more and more debilitating!
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    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    A limp should never be taken lightly, especially in a young Malinois prone to dysplasia. Since you're in the London area, you should head to the RVC; they have some of the best orthopaedic specialists in Europe! The trouble is, I just can't afford to keep shelling out for multiple sets of X-rays.
    Translated from French
    ?
    Anonymous user Icon representing the flag French
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    A limp should never be taken lightly, especially in a young Malinois prone to dysplasia. Since you’re in London, you should head to the RVC – they have the best orthopaedic specialists in Europe!
    Translated from French

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