Symptoms of a Leg & Paw Injury in a Dog

Leg and paw injuries are painful and often need immediate medical attention depending on the cause. Pain and limping are two common symptoms of dogs suffering from a paw and leg injury (often induced by strenuous activity). Only a veterinarian can diagnose the cause and extent of the injury properly. The Vet Info website says that sometimes these injuries are linked to arthritis or bone degeneration.

  1. Crying

    • Most dogs may cry or whine when they have a leg or paw injury because it's painful to walk on. The sound of your dog's yelps can give you an indication of how serious the injury is. It may only cry for a short time if the injury is not serious, but it's always best to take your dog to the vet to find out for certain how serious the injury is.

    Limping

    • Limping is another symptom associated with a dog suffering from a leg or paw injury. Standing up on it's leg is often difficult because the pain increases from the weight of his body. However, your dog may limp occasionally if it suffers from arthritis or another medical condition. Help your dog to rest so it can heal from the injury.

    Bleeding

    • Bleeding is another symptom linked to a leg and paw injury. This symptom needs immediate medical attention. First, try to stop the bleeding with a first aid kit at home, but be careful to prevent infection; use hydrogen peroxide to clean the wound before you apply gauze or dressing.Take your dog to the vet if the bleeding doesn't stop.

    Inflammation

    • Inflammation is another symptom associated with leg and paw injuries in dogs. Inflammation can occur because of a fracture or sprain. Your dog's paw or leg may swell in certain areas. Ice packs can help bring down inflammation, but sometimes your dog will need anti-inflammatory drugs depending on the cause of the injury. Your vet may advise you to keep your dog off of its feet. Broken legs often require casts, but minor fractures may not. The inflammation should go down as your dog heals.