My dog's hind leg is limping. What can I do at home before a vet?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | neutered | 5 years and 9 months old | 65 lbs
My Boxer/Husky mix hind leg is pulled up, partial weight bearing when walking. Doesn't whine when walking. He had been shaking and panting and seemed dehydrated (had pale gums). I gave him pedialyte and soft dog food so he won't have to move so much and the panting, shaking, and pale gums calmed way down. Is there anything else I can do at home to help him heal without taking him to the vet just yet?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on December 3rd, 2019
Thank you for submitting your question regarding Mickey. The only thing you can do at home is to keep him quiet. Limit his movements and do not allow any running, jumping or stairs. I recommend that he sees a veterinarian though. He is very painful if he is holding the leg up. Shaking and panting also indicate pain. He may need x-rays of his leg to determine why he is limping. Based on these results, pain medication can be prescribed. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications at home as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on June 20th, 2018
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Limping that comes and goes tends to be soft tissue injury. However, there can be incomplete bone breaks known as green stick fractures or other fractures involved. Having Zeus seen by a veterinarian for a sedated orthopedic examination and x-rays is necessary to determine his specific cause of limping. Have him seen by your Veterinarian as soon as you can. Keep him as calm and keep his activity level at a minimum until told otherwise by a veterinarian. Do not give any over the counter medications or anything else not prescribed by your veterinarian. If you have already given him something let your veterinarian know what you gave, the strength and when it was given. This is because those over the counter medications are not well tolerated by dogs and can even be very toxic to them. Hope this helps and that Zeus gets better soon!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Norik is limping on a right front leg. Most of the times he holds his right leg up. I examined his right paw and there is nothing on it or inside, it seems like his joints bothering him.He is more comfortable on a soft surfaces like bed, couch. He ev
Lucy has been limping on her left back leg since Saturday. She doesn't show any discomfort when touching or moving it. I'm not in a position financially to get her checked out. Is there anything I can do at home.
Is there anything I can do at home for my dog who sprained her back leg? Besides rest? She puts some pressure on it when she wants to and is limping I’ve massaged it and put a warm water bottle on it . She doesn’t whine or pull away when I touch her
My dog and I went on a long walk yesterday and when we got home she seemed fine. My friends bigger dog later pushed her off of what she was standing on and she yelled really loud and wouldn’t let me touch her. She currently is tucking her leg in, but
My 3yr old beagle tried to get on my bed sideways last night and fell, She slept through the night but is limping on back left leg today, When I touch it she doesn’t cry and hops on couch and walks up and down steps but limping on leg, she is ea
Our 9 year old lab mix has a limp for a day or two after playing fetch vigorously. Other than an aspirin and keeping him on glucosamine is there anything we can do to help him recover faster and prevent it from happening? Fetch is his favorite game a
Hey my dog biscuit and I walking along a trail today and he took off running after a jackrabbit that ran right in front of us. I called him and he come back after not running all that far but he was limping on his back left leg. I checked and he didn
My dog is limping on his back leg. He was fine all day but I noticed he started limping he's acting like himself barking, playing. The vet is closed I don't know what to do , I don't want to see him in pain. He's 10 months old
Dog injured while with caretaker. He is limping badly and one leg shaking. Happened before and got better with acupuncture. Right now, he’s unusually quiet and not panting. Should we assume that he’s not in pain since he’s not panting?
My dog is currently limping. Seems to be her right leg. She will not put weight on it. She doesn't seem to have any pain though. I've moved her leg in all different positions and she doesn't whine or wince. I've rubbed all over but nothing seems to b
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
