My dog won't use her leg after injury. When should I see a vet?

Question

How do I examine my doggies front left leg, she keeps holding it up and not using it much. She got herself somehow twisted up on the shower curtain last week and a string wrapped around her leg just above 'elbow'. Swelling went down right away, normal color, and circulation came back in a matter of a few seconds. At first she was using it more, it was bruised and she didn't seem to have a lot of feeling I her lower part of foot, now it seems as if she feels everything but won't use it much.

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS · Accepted Answer

It sounds like the leg is very painful, and I would not try to examine it yourself as she may get upset. Instead, I recommend taking her into the vet to have it examined, and have some pain medication prescribed. It's best to have a vet examine it to make sure the underlying structures weren't damaged by getting twisted up in the shower curtain. Please do not give her any human pain medications, many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. Because she had this accident last week and is still not using the leg, I would take her into the vet today.

My dog won't use her leg after injury. When should I see a vet?

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