Edema in a Dog's Leg

Peripheral edema is an excessive buildup of fluid in the spaces between body tissue and organs. It can appear at a single body location or throughout the body. Some dog breeds are more prone to developing edema, including the poodle, bulldog and labrador.

  1. Causes

    • Edema in a dog's leg has a number of possible causes: a car accident injury, an arterial obstruction, a bite or sting allergy or abnormal growth in the lymphatic tissues. Edema is difficult to detect early on; unexplained weight gain or swelling are signs of edema and should be checked by a veterinarian.

    Diagnosis

    • A vet draws fluid from the affected leg using fine-needle aspiration. This is examined microscopically. A tissue biopsy is performed to ascertain any underlying causes. Urine analysis, X-rays and electrocardiograms are typically included in testing for edema.

    Treatment

    • The type of treatment and medication prescribed depends on the cause of the leg edema. Draining the limb or surgery are effective in most cases. If the leg is severely swollen, amputation may be required.