Dealing with a mild limp in your dog

When a dog is limping, it's important to remember that lameness is almost always a sign that they're in pain. It's therefore vital to always take lameness seriously. Lameness can be caused by many different things, including the dog stepping on something sharp, pulling a muscle, a claw injury, ligament damage or even a broken bone, to name a few possible causes.

Different types of lameness

There are different degrees of lameness that require different levels of urgency. If your dog won't put any weight on their leg at all (known as 'block halt'), you should always seek veterinary advice immediately. If the lameness is very severe, but your dog is still able to put some weight on the leg, you should also see a vet straight away. A milder lameness doesn't usually require immediate emergency treatment, but it should of course still be taken seriously.

Home care for mild lameness

If your dog has severe lameness or won't put weight on their leg, you should take them to the vet straight away. However, if it's a milder lameness, you can try managing it at home. What you need to do then is let the dog rest. Resting your dog at home means they should take it easy and move around as little as possible. Follow these steps:

• Limit walks to just letting your dog do their business

• Walk slowly, at your dog's pace

• Avoid taking your dog up and down stairs

• Don't let your dog romp and play

If your dog's lameness doesn't improve within a few days, or if it gets worse, see a vet so they can be examined and get the help they need. If you're worried about your dog's lameness, we recommend consulting a vet online, which you as a customer of Lassie insurance have unlimited access to.