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Poor Cooper 🙁
Limping can be caused by many different things.
1) physical injury- sprain, strain, fracture or break.
2) structural- elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, “growing pains”(ie panosteitis) etc
3) illness- Lyme disease, ehrlichia etc
For troubleshooting a mild limp ( meaning dog can get around without crying in pain, eating and drinking well)
Give 5- 7 days strict rest ( no playing, running or jumping). You will likely have to crate him. Dogs, especially puppies, can often use poor judgement with injuries like this. They start feeling a little better and then will be too active and get worse again. To give a fair assessment you have to give him a few solid days of rest even if he looks better after 1 or 2 days. If the limping returns after resolving with strict rest, see your vet. Could be a more serious physical injury or require some anti-inflammatories to resolve. It could also be structural.
Tick related diseases can often get better and worse independently of exercise. Often times the lameness can switch from leg to leg. Limping can also be accompanied by other symptoms such as heat and swelling of the affected joint, decreased appetite, lethargy, fever etc.
Panosteitis is often called “growing pains”. This affects young dogs and is characterized by pain in any of the long bones of either front or hind legs. ( bone above wrist in front legs and thigh bone of hind leg. ) Dogs will have no joint pain but will often react if pressure is applied to these bones. Lameness usually gets worse for a few days then better until it resolves itself. They can have repeated attacks of Panosteitis. This eventually gets better on it’s own. but may need pain meds to help them through it. Limping in this case is unrelated to rest or exercise. It can be diagnosed by veterinarian and confirmed with an x-ray.
If he is off in any way other than limping, make an appointment with your vet. If not try strict rest and see how it goes from there.
Hope this helps and that he feels better soon!!
Best,
Teresa
