Dog Leg Injury

Dog leg injuries and dog paw injury is a very common problem because the dogs' legs are very fragile.



Any problem in the muscles, tendons, ligaments or bones of the leg can cause a lot of problems in the movement of your pet.

Dog paw injury is the most common of all. The paws of the dogs are very soft and the paw pads are very sensitive. It is best to inspect the paws of your pet every once in a while to check for any injuries, cuts, or swellings. If your dog is limping, there is a good probability of it having sustained a paw injury. Usually, after a dog has injured its paw, it is not able to sustain any pressure on the injured paw. If on inspection, you find an object embedded into the skin, you may have to take the dog to a vet. If the dog has been injured by a nail, there may be swelling in the paw. Get your pet checked by a vet in such a case.

Injuries are a part and parcel of life and can affect any animal.



The most common injuries to affect canines are dog leg injuries. There are many different types of injuries that could affect dogs some of which may even be threatening to the dog’s life. As with humans, immediate treatment is essential when dealing with such a problem as this will ensure that it is cured before any serious damage takes place. Unlike humans, however, dogs cannot orally communicate their pain. It is therefore important that the owner pays close attention to the mood, behavior and gait of the dog to determine if there is something that needs attention. One may also notice an injury of one comes into contact with the injured part of the dog. This would usually lead to the dog snapping, growling or whimpering in pain. Understanding the dog leg anatomy is also important as this is an area that is very much prone to injury.

Dog Leg Problems

Dog leg problems can be classified to further understand how they should be dealt with and treated. These dog leg injuries include bone fractures, bone cracks, ligament tears, ligament damage, cuts, bruises and joint pain.



When dealing with small dog leg injuries such as cuts, one should apply the same sort of treatment as one would use for humans. The wound should be cleaned with anti-septic and allowed to heal by covering it with a medicated bandage.

Dog Leg Injuries Symptoms and Treatment

One of the common dog leg injuries is that of a fracture. This can even happen when the dog is playing. One may notice dog leg injuries symptoms by seeing how the dog is walking. If the dog is limping or is trying to avoid using a particular leg then it is likely that the particular leg is injured to a large extent. Some basic knowledge about dog leg anatomy would tell you if the injury can be treated at home or not. Most often such injures need to be shown to the vet where the injured area can be scanned to determine the extent of the damage.

One problem when dealing with dog leg injuries is the fact that the dog will most likely not avoid using the damaged leg. This often exacerbates the problem and makes it difficult for the process of healing to begin. Thus it is important to have some knowledge about dog leg anatomy so as to take timely care of your pet. Dog front leg injuries and dog rear leg injuries are different in the effect that they have on the dog. Front leg injuries are usually easy to deal with as the dog tends to put more weight on the rear legs, especially while running.

One of the complicated dog leg injuries is that of a ligament tear. Ligament tears are difficult to deal with even in human beings. Dogs may not be able to communicate the extent of their injury to the owners. This is why it is important that the owner keep a continuous watch on an injured dog to see if there is any improvement in the condition. If this does not happen, it is necessary to take the dog to an animal specialist who will check the dog leg anatomy and conduct various tests to determine the course of action. Such specialists are able to perform various types of dog leg injuries treatment.

When dealing with dog leg injuries it is important that the owner tries to keep the dog as immobile as possible. Naturally, cuts and bruises do not necessitate this sort of action. However, for fractures and ligament tears it is important to make the dog understand that avoiding the use of the limb is good for it. Owners will need to spend extra time with their pets during this period of recovery so that the pets do not feel neglected and anxious. The use of cold or warm compresses can be applied in such situations to provide relief to the dog and hasten the process of recovery.

Dog Front, Hind Leg Injury

The implications of front leg injuries are sometimes different from  dog hind leg injury. If the dog has sustained muscle injuries like a sprain or has strained a muscle, there may be difficulty in moving. Such injuries are usually characterized by severe swelling and loss of movement. If it is a joint that the dog has injured, the dog will be unable to put any weight on the leg. If the dog limps for more than 3 days, help should be sought from a vet.

A ligament injury in dogs is the most serious injury to its legs. In such an injury, the anterior cruciate ligament of the dog gets torn or damaged. Larger breeds of dogs or those who are overweight may develop such problems. Dog leg surgery is the only way of treating such injuries.

For dogs who have sustained such injuries, inflammation and tendonitis are the most common symptoms. Excessive jumping around and running can cause this injury. However, even without such excessive physical exercise, the tendons can sometimes get swollen.

Treatment for tendonitis is simple and involves a lot of rest. It is easy to find out whether your dog has got cured because the swelling will subside and the dog will not cry out when weight is put on the affected limb.

The symptoms can be identified by observing the dog's gait and size of the swelling and by checking for any wounds and injuries.