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My 4-year-old dog's hind leg limps and sometimes pops. What's wrong?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Cocker Spaniel | Male | neutered | 4 years and 11 months old | 45 lbs

my cocker spainel of 4 years woke up a couple weeks ago with a limping hind leg. i put a band on it for a couple weeks and he still limps but he can walk on it for a while. and sometimes i can stretch the leg and it pops back and he can walk on it for a bit. he does not haven any injury to his feet just his leg

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Cara, DVM, cVMA

Veterinarian

Published on June 28th, 2017

It may be that Pumpkin has sustained an injury to his knee or hip joint. Another possibility would be something called a luxating patella, which is where the kneecap pops out of place. Your vet can confirm through an exam or x-rays.

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    Answered By Lindsey Edwards MVB, BSc, IVCA

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    This sounds like he may have a dislocating knee cap - please contact your vets for a check up and they can assess him for treatment - pain relief, joint supplements and occasioanally are sometimes required to reduce the discomfort and the risk of arthritis developing in the leg

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