3 Warning Signs Of A Sprain To Check Your Puppy For

Sprains and strains are different, but they are both common in dogs. If surgery is not an option, a leg brace is a great solution. A brace holds your dog’s joints and muscles in place. The best leg braces are custom made to last for the life of your dog.

Strains are injured tendons that link the bones and muscles. Muscle strain symptoms can resemble the symptoms of a bone fracture. Sprains damage the ligament that connects the bones. This injury can result in joint damage.

There are three grades of muscle strain, starting with a slightly torn muscle. It may heal with rest and ice compresses. You can also give your dog anti-inflammatory medication that is prescribed by a vet. Not the same kind people take.

The second grade is a severe tear or stretch, and you will see visible swelling or bruising. Your dog will be in a lot of pain and may stop eating. This needs professional treatment. The third grade is severe. Your dog may not be able to walk, and you may see an open rupture. This requires emergency medical help.

Sometimes you may see your dog fall, trip, or become injured in an accident, but other times you may not know what the problem is. Here are three signs that your dog has a sprain and needs help.

Lameness

Lameness is one of the most common signs your dog has a sprain or strain. If you see your dog limping, it means your dog is in pain. The leg may feel hot to the touch and be slightly swollen.

Limping is unlikely if the sprain is simple, but if the leg’s damage is not treated, it can result in permanent lameness. The damaged leg may atrophy if it is not used, and the opposite limb may become overworked and have too much pressure and stress. This could cause a healthy limb to become damaged.

Loss of Appetite

Dogs may stop eating for many reasons. First, you should determine what the average amount your dog should eat is. Next, make sure your dog likes the food you give. Loss of appetite in dogs is usually a sign of illness. In the case of an injury, it is a sign the dog is in pain.

Some signs that your dog has loss of appetite are:

• Eats less than usual

• Refuses treats

• Stops eating completely

• Tries to eat but then stops

• Vomits

• Lethargy

You can try to coax your dog to eat by changing his food, adding water to dried food, and feeding him by hand. Don’t wait any longer than 24 – 48 hours of not eating to take your pooch to the vet.

Excessive Licking on One Joint or Leg

Licking a painful spot or injury is your dog’s way of trying to cure it. The area may be itching from a food allergy or ache from an internal injury. That means there is no contusion or bleeding on the surface of the skin, so you may not see immediately that there is pain until your dog exhibits these behaviors.

In some cases, the licking is constant, especially if the cause is a painful joint. The dog may lick the same area until the skin or hair is gone. Along with licking, she may scratch or chew the spot. Joint pain can be chronic and may be caused by osteoarthritis. A sprain may also cause pain. There is a good chance that the proper brace could reduce the pain and allow your dog to walk and even run again.

The main signs of joint problems are:

• Limping or walking slowly

• Increasingly irritable

• Sleeping more

• Avoiding going up and downstairs

• Unable to jump into the car

• Unwilling to play or go for walks

All the warning signs of a sprain or strain in your puppy mean he is in pain. If the symptoms are slight, you may miss them for a while, but don’t hesitate to get the brace or other treatment he needs once you notice a behavior change.