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Dog Injured Leg

Submitted by Michael Adams on May 24, 2010

Leg injury is quite common in dogs due to their everyday activities. There are some breeds which are more prone to leg injuries. The different types of dog leg injuries include cuts, sprain, torn ligaments and broken bones.

Moving the leg in an unnatural manner and overworking a joint or manhandling the dog roughly can also result in a sprain. The sprain that takes place is caused due to the twisting of the tissue supporting the joint. Most of these sprains will get better with time, while others heal within 48 hours with proper medication.

To treat dog leg sprain, you will first have to evaluate the canine’s symptoms. Do check for the severity of the injury. The degree of pain can be assumed when the canine makes any movements. If the injury is very serious then your pet might be reluctant to walk at all. You should act quickly; get a vet’s appointment as soon as possible. Take the necessary steps to minimize the damage. You should let your dog rest and make sure you minimize the walking activity. You might want to carry your dog till the car when attempting to rush him to the vet’s clinic or hospital. Do get the proper treatment for your canine. In serious cases there might even be a need for a surgery.

Symptoms to your dog’s sprain leg will include:

Pain and swelling
Lameness
Foot dragging
Bleeding and visible wounds
Snappy and irritable behavior
Lethargy

A dog hind leg injury can vary in its severity. Dogs realize their pain and can adjust to walking with three legs. Leaving your dog’s sprained leg untreated for a long time can cause potential dangers to his health. The sprain should be treated immediately, the longer you go without treatment the more expensive will the treatment get and your dog will be traumatized even more.

To find out the exact problem your veterinarian will try to diagnose your dog, beginning with a proper physical examination. He might even suggest an x-ray for further examination. Sometimes if nothing serious is found then your pet might get well, with simple medicine dosages; however in extreme cases a surgery can also be conducted. You need to become aware of the dog’s leg injury symptoms, once this is done you can easily begin with prompt medical attention to your beloved canine. In some cases the sprain might go away altogether by itself and your dog can resume his daily activities.

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