My dog limps after running, then recovers. Is it a cruciate injury?

Question

So I have a lab, hes 3 1/2 and has been running for a year. 6 months ago he showed up lame 4 hours post run and lasted about 8 hours. I gave him the next day off, and he looked fine. Then after our next run (3 miles) it happened again, so I gave him 3 weeks off. Then took him out for a 1 mile run after that time and he was fine. So I took him out for 3 the next day, and It happened again. So decided 3 months off. That three months is over, we ran 4 times with no problems but it’s back again. Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Male | neutered | 3 years and 8 months old | 75 lbs

Dr. Davis · Accepted Answer

With an intermittent lameness in one leg this sounds like he has injured his knee. The most common cause of lameness in a lab is a cruciate ligament strain or tear. As Felix improves with rest he probably has just strained this ligament. This is similar to an ACL injury in people. Dogs who have this injury off and on will eventually tear the ligament completely and require surgery to repair it. I recommend you stop running Felix, walk him only and prevent him from jumping and roughhousing. This may heal and if you don't run him and he may not get lame again. If he continues to be lame it's time for a veterinary exam and X-rays. They can feel his knee and look at the X-ray to determine whether surgery is needed or if they think he will heal with rest, medication and rehab. He also could have a torn meniscus in his knee which would also need surgery to remove. Many dogs overwork the other leg when they are lame so sometimes they get cruciate injuries on both legs. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Felix.

My dog limps after running, then recovers. Is it a cruciate injury?

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