Why is my senior dog suddenly limping and holding his leg up?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My 15 year old lab started having a slight limp yesterday morning, last night he didn't want to get up and had a more severe limp but could still walk on it, now this morning he won't even put any wait on it and is holding it up to his body.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on January 6th, 2019
It sounds like the lameness get worse and now it got to a point of non weight bearing, so in this case I would recommend to take him to a vet. The vet will examine him, asses the lameness as well as probably give him pain relief and joint supplement. The vet may want to consider to run some diagnostics if indicated from the physical examination. Good Luck
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on February 7th, 2017
I strongly recommend getting him seen by your vet to determine the cause of his lameness before trying to alleviate his pain. There may be an injury or strain you may be unaware of, not everything bruises. First, human analgesics can be toxic to pets and secondly, you may mask symptoms that would lead to a faster diagnosis.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
In the past 24 hours my 13-year-old lab mix has gone from running and playing to limping with his front paw not coming all the way forward when he's walking. This causes him to fall over and I can't see anything wrong with his paw on the outside.
I'm sorry to hear your dog is limping! It's no fun to see them in pain :( I would recommend having your dog looked at by your regular veterinarian when you are able. Sudden onset lameness can be due to any number of things, from a strain/sprain to a fracture or dislocation, or ligament damage or even a bone tumor (definitely more common in older dogs). Your vet can do a thorough exam or your dog and try to determine which part of the leg is painful. They may recommend X-rays to check for some of the problems listed above, and they may prescribe some medications to help with the discomfort. Until you are able to have your dog seen I would recommend restricting his activity and only taking him outside on a short leash to use the bathroom.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is 12 yrs old. Sudden lameness in left front and right back legs. Possible causes?
Trauma, arthritic changes, orthopedic issues or tick borne disease are just a few possibilities. Restrict activity to just leash walks for elimination. Avoid excessive running, jumping or rough play. See your veterinarian for an exam if symptoms persist. Do not give any medications without the advice of your veterinarian.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
After walk in evening after coming back home few minutes later he started to lift his leg up on 1 march it's been now 17days he don't lift his leg up in the air neither limp continuously but he sometimes in between limp and raise his leg looks like w
He could have a strain, sprain, loose knee cap, or possibly a torn ligament. Since this has been going on for 17 days, he should be examined by a vet to determine the cause. Your vet can take an x-ray, if needed, to help diagnose and then determine the best way to treat. He may need an anti-inflammatory, pain medications, or possibly surgery to fix the problem.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 11 year old whippet all of a sudden can’t stand or put any weight on one of his back legs. He was fine this morning all of a sudden he cant even get off of the settee without falling do you have any idea what it could be?
Hi! Thanks for entrusting us with Jerry's care today! Lameness can be a sign of a few things that range from a muscle sprain to even a fracture. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian so that this can be further assessed which will likely include radiographs. Treatment will be dependent on findings though at the very least pain control medications can be prescribed. Good luck! Hoping for a speedy recovery!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog just randomly yelped and started limping, he is a stray so we don't know his age but he his 12, 13, or 14. He cannot straighten his leg. What did he do?
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. It is possible that he has a fractured bone that is causing him discomfort and lameness. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine him so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I would recommend having x-rays taken of this leg to rule out any bone fractures as the cause. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 6 year old labrador cross, who is very active, is unsteady and reluctant to put any weight on his rest left leg. He seems perfectly happy and still runs on it, which I've been moderating. He doesn't seem uncomfortable and is easing well, the Wells
Poor pup! In large breed dogs, joint problems are common, and it could be that he has torn or partially ruptured his cranial cruciate ligament, and/or done meniscal damage to his knee. I recommend resting him for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take him out to toilet on a lead only, and bring him right back in when he's done. If he still appears painful after this time, then I would take him into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. He may also benefit from some pain medications. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 3 year old lab has started limping on his back leg after resting after a walk, he is fine before the walk and during, this has been happening for 2 weeks He is a bit fat and he we received him neutered at at young age so we,re not sure he develope
He could have some arthritis in is joints, issue with his knee cap, partial cruciate tear, etc. You could put him on a joint supplement, like Dasuquin, and see if that helps. Otherwise, have your vet take a look at him. Your vet can take x-rays to help diagnose and then prescribe medications to help treat. He may need an anti-inflammatory and pain medications.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog was running around my house in circles yesterday when she suddenly yelped and started limping. It's been a day, and she hasn't moved more than two times from her bed. When she has gotten up, she hasn't yelped but she is still holding her leg
She may have torn her cruciate ligament, have a problem with her knee cap, have a fracture, etc. Since she seems to be in pain, you should take her to your vet today for an orthopedic examination. Your vet can take an x-ray, if needed, to help diagnose and then determine the best way to treat. An anti-inflammatory and pain medications can be prescribed to help relieve any pain. Hope she feels better soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hi my 12 year old bull lurcher has suddenly developed a slight limp, he can put weight on it though. He's been staying in his kennel Alot. We brought him to the beack and he limped on the stones but could run as fast as ever without any problems on t
I'm sorry to hear that Murphy has been limping. Mild weight bearing lameness could be related to a soft tissue injury, cranial cruciate ligament rupture, degenerative joint disease/arthritis, osteosarcoma, among many other issues. I'm glad to hear that Murphy seems comfortable enough to run, but try to avoid allowing him to run until this issue resolves because he could worsen any existing injury. Any time limping is present (to any degree), this indicates a sign of pain. For this reason, I recommend taking Murphy to his vet for an exam, possible x-rays, and possible anti-inflammatory pain medication. Do not give him any over the counter pain medication since none are overly safe for dogs. Until you can get to the vet, try to restrict Murphy's activity to keep him in the kennel and only allow him out for short leash walks to eliminate. I hope that he feels better soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 9 year old English bull terrier has developed a limp which seems to be affecting right shoulder area. Her walking has reduced over past few months and she has gone from enjoying a good walk to having 2 shorter walks. In the past week she has been
Her reduced activity level may be due to the lameness or arthritis pain. I recommend a veterinary exam for the lameness. They will feel her neck shoulder and the rest of the leg to determine the cause. They may also do X-rays to look for bone and joint problems. If they think Ruby is painful they can prescribe pain medication. I don't like older dogs to get too lazy and not exercise since they can gain weight and lose muscle mass which makes the lameness worse. Thanks for using Boop by Petco to help you care for Ruby.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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