When
you are a dog owner, you hate to think about your dog ever being sick
or hurt. However, it is vital to know what you can and should do if
your dog does ever suffer an injury, like a leg injury.
If
you know what to do beforehand, you can provide the best possible
care for your dog's well-being now and in the future.
Check
for Any Obvious Breaks in the Skin or Bones
When
your dog seems to have experienced an injury, assess their leg. Check
your dog for any obvious breaks in the bones of their legs or any
places where the skin is broken. If they are bleeding, apply gentle
pressure and determine how bad the cut is.
Short
shallow cuts can often be treated at home. However, a cut that is
either deep, long, or both should be treated by a veterinarian.
When
looking for broken bones, you can assess your dog in a few ways.
Check for any unusual lumps or bulges in their leg, which can
indicate a broken bone or a dislocation. You can also gently palpate
your dog's leg.
If
you feel any places that are abnormally tender or seem to indicate a
lack of continuity in the bone, these signs could also indicate a
broken bone. Head to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
Have
Them Take It Easy for Several Hours
Assuming
you do not find signs that your dog's leg has been broken, have your
dog take it easy and rest for several hours. Oftentimes, if a dog has
simply stepped down wrong or even strained a muscle in their leg, a
little rest will help the dog feel better quite quickly.
If
after four or five hours your dog is still having trouble moving or
putting weight down on their leg, the injury may be a more
significant and may require further care and treatment from a
veterinarian.
Apply
Ice and Heat
Apply
heat and ice (alternately) to the injured leg. This treatment is just
like what you would do if you injured yourself. The ice can help
reduce inflammation and swelling while the heat can help with
stiffness and discomfort.
Give
Your Dog a Leg Massage
If
your dog has a strained muscle, giving their leg a gentle massage can
be a great way to help them feel better as soon as possible. Giving
your dog a massage is not all that dissimilar to giving a person a
massage.
Start
out applying very gentle pressure and using long stroking motions to
relieve muscle tension and pain. If your dog responds well to that
pressure on their leg, you can gradually increase the pressure. Just
watch out for signs that the massage is uncomfortable for your dog,
including squirming, crying, or wincing. Stop if you see these signs.
Go
to the Veterinarian
If
your efforts to treat your dog's leg injury fail — or the injury
seem to be getting worse — take a trip to your veterinarian's
office
.
Your veterinarian can perform an examination, take x-rays and other
scans, and determine the best course of action to get your dog up and
moving normally again as soon as possible.
If
your dog's leg is broken or fractured, for example, they may be given
a cast or a splint or could even have surgery to put in metal pins
and other supports to help the leg heal. For joint problems like
arthritis, anti-inflammatory and pain medications may be prescribed.
If
you know the steps to take, you can take good care of your dog if
they ever injure their leg.
