My old Blue Heeler is limping with leg swelling. Is it a sprain?

I really feel that Lexi needs to have a full veterinary exam to determine what has happened. From the pictures, one possibility is that she is adjusting how she sits to extend the injured leg out - if she is not putting any weight on that leg then she may have broken it, or injured a ligament. There are also a couple of illnesses that can occur in a young growing dog, thses can be diagnosed with an exam and xrays. If she is limping she should have pain relief - Do not use any human medicines as these may be toxic to her.

Hi! Thanks for entrusting us with Romulus's care today! Lameness, swelling or pain can be signs 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. I highly recommend strict rest which at times can make a big difference. Good luck! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Without being able to give your dog a hands-on exam it is not possible to determine the cause of the pain. Theoretically this could be from the old injury, however it is more likely a new problem, such as possibly a sprain, or ligament/tendon damage. Your dog will need to be seen by a vet for an exam. Check your dog's pads and toes for a foreign body, or injury. Rest your dog over the weekend, no jumping, no running, leash walking only to eliminate. If the pain does not subside by Monday, Arlo will need to be seen by your vet for an exam.

Poor Shadow! It could just be a sprain. I recommend resting her for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take her out to toilet on a leash, and bring her right back in when she's done. If she still appears painful after this time, then I would take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. She may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give her any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. When dogs are 'non-ambulatory'- not walking on a leg, this is usually a sign of significant pain. Also, swelling is concerning for either a significant injury (fracture/dislocation), an infection or abscess (pocket of pus), or in older animals we worry about cancers. I would recommend having Swayde seen by a vet to see if anything serious is going on, and would recommend x-rays. Best of luck with Swayde.

Hi! Thanks for entrusting us with Dolly’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 her 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!

It doesn't look like a sprain injury. The redness /bruising to the skin is likely to be a result of blunt trauma (from a fall or unfortunate jump ?) which is causing some degree of abdominal and muscular pain. Please, apply a cold compress on the area for about 20-30 minutes and then re-assess the situation. If your dog is still limping badly and looks in pain, you should take him to your local vet for full clinical examination and to get treatment for him.