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My 8-month-old German Shepherd is limping and crying. Vet now?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | 8 months and 3 days old | 75 lbs

For the last few days, my GSD (8mths Old) has been limping and it wasn’t until today that I saw it was his left leg. As he was eating I started examining his left leg and he cried out when I touched under his shoulder (his armpit). There’s no bumps that I can tell, but I’m not a vet.. he’s consistently crying but he still walks on it just with a limp.. it’s gotten worse over that last few days and I wanna know if I should take him to a vet right away or wait until Monday?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on July 8th, 2018

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Alpha! Since it has already been a few days I think he can wait one more day if he is otherwise eating. Possible causes are: strain or sprain, OCD, elbow dysplasia, panosteitis (common in young growing German Shepherds), HOD or Lyme disease. Please do not give an human OTC pain medications as it may interfere with drugs your Vet may want to prescribe. If you think he is in terrible pain then have him seen today on emergency. I wish Alpha the best!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Ann Dion, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on June 8th, 2019

    Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Soreness in the joints or limbs, especially if it is 'moving' from joint to joint, can be signs of infections in the joints, auto-immune diseases of the joints, lyme disease (spread by ticks), and other possible causes. These conditions become incredibly painful, and require treatment. I strongly recommend you have Eyor to a vet as soon as possible, as it doesn't sound like this is something that will just get better with time. Best of luck with Eyor, I hope he feels better soon!

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