Betsy is a two-year-old Cockapoo.
For a week, the poor dog had been suffering from terrible stomach pains.
A thorough examination
Betsy's family took her to the vet for all the necessary health checks, including blood tests and parasite screenings. All the results came back negative. Just when it seemed everything was fine, the situation took a worrying turn once Betsy was back home.
The little dog suddenly started limping on her back leg and couldn't put any weight on it at all. Betsy's mum immediately called the veterinary clinic to let them know. The team advised them to keep an eye on her at home. As a precaution, her family started carrying her around to help her get about and to prevent any pain.
A new diagnosis
Betsy's family then took her back to the clinic for more tests. The veterinary team finally realised that the dog had a "phantom limp". This is a behaviour that dogs sometimes adopt to get sympathy and comfort, often after they've been feeling unwell or have been ill.
Thankfully, everything could now get back to normal. Betsy is perfectly fine, she just needs a little extra attention and a few more cuddles for the time being!
