Limping in Pets

Limping can result from minor and serious injuries alike, leaving owners concerned about their pet’s condition. Understanding the most common causes and types of limps can help pet parents decide what action to take, be it home care or an urgent trip to the vet.

“Dogs and cats are very prone to foot and leg injuries - they’re constantly running, jumping, climbing, playing. Limps and other gait irregularities are among the most common causes for office visits,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM.

A wide array of more minor injuries can trigger a limp, and these minor injuries can often result from everyday activity. “The biggest misconception is that it takes some dramatic accident to result in injury. Normal activity around the house can lead to serious injuries – all it takes is one wrong step,” Dr. Levine added.

The most common causes for a limp include:

• Sprained or strained muscles and ligaments account for a large percentage of limps. A pulled muscle in the back, hip, shoulder or leg can cause a limp that typically lasts for a day or two. Limps resulting from a pulled muscle will be intermittent and there will be little, if any, swelling associated with this type of injury. In cases where no swelling is present, a warm compress with a heating pad or heat pack can help ease the pain.
• Broken bones and dislocations are among the most serious causes of a limp. In the case of a more minor, hairline fracture, the pet may be slightly weight-bearing on the injured limb. In most cases, the pet will be non-weight bearing on the leg, and extreme swelling and pain is virtually always present. Improper alignment and an abnormal “dangling” will often be present with a fracture or dislocation. Immediately splinting the injured limb can prevent further injury until the animal arrives at the veterinary clinic.
• Foot injuries are another common cause. Glass, splinters, or other sharp objects can cut the paw and debris can become wedged beneath the skin, so it’s important to closely examine the foot and between the toes.
• Nail injuries can also cause a great deal of pain that results in limping. Carefully check for any cracks, tearing, or dried blood on or surrounding the nails. Gently palpating the nails can also reveal any tenderness.
• Infections and abscesses can trigger a limp. Swelling, redness and tenderness are associated with a pocket of infection beneath the surface of the skin, also known as an abscess. Infection can result from a small bite from a parasite, a puncture wound, an animal bite and other everyday scratches and scrapes. Abscesses are particularly common and extremely painful in cats, although they can be seen in dogs, ferrets, rabbits and other pets too.
• Torn ligaments are among the more serious causes of limps. Unfortunately, a partial tear to a ligament may cause only intermittent limping, which is deceptive in that many owners will assume that the pet has suffered a minor injury. But it’s not uncommon for a partial tear to turn into a complete tear, which makes weight-bearing virtually impossible on the affected leg. Torn ligaments, which often affect the canine knee, can be difficult to heal and corrective surgery is often required, so veterinary attention is strongly recommended when a limp arises, particularly if the injury occurred as a result of physical activity or trauma. Splinting the injury can help prevent further damage.
• Tick bites, spider bites and snakebites can trigger an area of swelling and redness at the site of a bite, which results in limping. Bites can result in a severe reaction in the vicinity of the bite and a sudden onset of extreme swelling and pain is not uncommon. This discomfort results in limping.
• Growing pains can cause minor limps in young dogs who are younger than one year of age. These limps are typically short in terms of duration and minor in terms of their severity.
• Arthritis is a common cause of limping and stiffness in the limbs in older animals. Often, the limping is worse in the morning, or on cold days. Limping due to arthritis often involves both rear legs, resulting in a stiff, unsteady gait, which can vary in terms of its severity.
• Back injuries can cause limping and an irregular gait. Back injuries can affect animals of all ages, although elderly animals often suffer from limps that are related to spinal degeneration. In pets suffering from chronic back problems, the limp may seem to come and go.

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