Why is my dog limping, in pain, struggling with stairs and jumping?

Question

Service dog (boxer/Shepherd mix?) Limping badly left rear leg. First time was right rear leg last winter, vet couldn't find cause but thought soft tissue injury likely, took 1.5 month to heal. Now it's the rear left leg, happens off and on but now seems severe. Worse both after rest and after activity. Jumping and stairs seem hardest. Started supplements a few weeks ago but it's gotten worse. In pain, not eating as much and doesn't want to go outside, especially on stairs to get in or out. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | spayed | 6 years and 5 months old | 80 lbs

Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH · Accepted Answer

Hi and thanks for posting! There are many causes of limping in dogs and while it is hard to say for certain what is going on specifically with Phoenix, I can offer a few possibilities and next steps. Ligament tears (such as an ACL tear), bone infection/inflammation, osteoarthritis, generative joint disease, bone cancers, or certain systemic infections such as lyme disease or blastomycosis could all be possible causes. I would recommend Phoenix have a good orthopedic exam done, some x-rays of the effected leg and perhaps testing for tick borne diseases such as lyme disease as a few good first steps. I hope this helps!

Why is my dog limping, in pain, struggling with stairs and jumping?

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