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My dog limps after exercise but shows no pain. What could it be?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | English Springer Spaniel | Male | unneutered | 4 years and 4 months old | 52 lbs

When my 4 year old springer spaniel runs hard when out he has a limp in rear leg a few hours later He doesn’t yelp or show any signs of pain when leg is rotated or doesn’t wince when pressing on spine .He doesn’t tend to put Weight on it but can if forced too He’s generally fine after a night rest

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Ana M, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 8th, 2018

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Taz. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian. He may be experiencing arthritis secondary to hip or knee problems. There is a also a muscle in the lower back that a dog can strain. This is very painful as well. He will likely need x-rays based on his exam findings. Then treatment can be designed for him. If he is not bearing weight evenly between his rear limbs, this indicates he is painful. In the meantime, avoid hard exercise and not give any over-the-counter pain medication as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!

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