Last night, my dog Rocky he jumped off the couch and hit his leg on the coffee table. He whimpered and left a little bit and then after a little bit he was fine running around and jumping being normal same thing this morning he seemed fine. My roommate came home around 1 o’clock and called me saying Rocky was limping and whimpering. When I saw him a couple hours later, he seemed fine once again, running, jumping me and Rocky were laying on the bed for good couple hours. He got up and started whimpering again and wasn’t putting pressure on that leg. I don’t know what to do because one minute he seems fine and then the next he’s whimpering and not putting pressure on the leg.
It's important to monitor the situation closely due to the potential for soft tissue injury, such as a sprain or strain, or even a fracture.
Given that Rocky has shown periods of normal behavior, running and jumping without issue, it's possible that he has a mild soft tissue injury that is exacerbated by certain movements or after resting for a period. Dogs often don't show consistent signs of pain, especially if they are excited or distracted.
At home, limit his activity as much as possible. No running, jumping, or playing, which could exacerbate the injury. Short, leashed walks for bathroom breaks are fine.
And inspect his painful area. Check his joints and bones(especially the patellar) If his joints are swollen and hot, it can be a ligament injury or a fracture. In this case, you should visit a nearby vet for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
If there is no abnormality in the range of joint movement of him, and there is no doubt of a fracture, it may be a simple sprain. For the first two to three days, you can consider using a cold compress on the affected area for short periods (10-15 minutes), but be sure to wrap the compress in a towel to avoid direct contact with the skin. And if the symptoms improve, massage the joints or muscles with a warm towel afterward.
Also, press down on his waist with a little pressure. If he feels a strain or pain, it may be a disk hernia problem. In this case, an accurate diagnosis of the vet may be required.
Ensure Rocky continues to eat and drink normally. An injury can sometimes cause a dog to lose their appetite or reduce their water intake.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, it would be a situation where veterinary attention is needed:
- Persistent or worsening limping over 48 hours.
- Rocky is consistently refusing to put weight on the leg.
- Visible swelling, heat, or deformity in the affected leg.
- Rocky is in obvious pain (whimpering, panting, or showing aggression when the area is touched).
However, if the limping persists or you notice any of the above symptoms, it would be prudent to have him evaluated by a veterinarian to rule out more serious injuries and to receive appropriate treatment.
If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to come back to us! Thank you.
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