Limping is something that many dogs will experience one time or another. What you need to do is look into the limping to try to determine what is causing the problem and how you can fix it. Liming is often caused by very simple problems that can be remedied immediately while other causes are more severe and will require the care of a professional.
Symptoms
Identifying limping is generally not difficult. You will find that your dog may not want to put all of his or her weight on their legs. You may find that they will start off simply walking a bit more gingerly and then they may stop walking on the leg altogether. When you see the limping you should take notice immediately and try to identify what is causing the symptoms so you can help your dog walk more comfortably as soon as possible.
Prevention
Preventing limping is not always possible, but there are some things that you can do to make sure that your dog doesnt limp for reasons that you can avoid. First, be sure that your dogs nails are always properly trimmed. They should be neither too short nor too long. When a dogs nails are too long they can catch on the carpet and rip, they can break their nails, or it can use cause pain in the foot, leg, and joints causing all over pain. You also need to make sure that your dogs nails are not cut too short, because this can cause pain as well. If you arent sure how to cut your dogs nails properly, have them done by a professional to avoid limping.
Next, you want to make sure that your dog is seen annually by his or her vet. This will help catch any problems that your dog may be suffering from before they become debilitating for your dog. There are many different parts of the body that can cause limping ranging from the paws, to the nails, to the elbows, and even the shoulders. Seeing a vet annually will help you detect diseases or problems early so they can be treated before your dog begins to limp.
Treatment
Treatment for limping really will depend on what is causing the problem. If the nails are too long the nails will simply need to be trimmed, and if they are too short the nails will just take some time to become less sensitive. Many times treatment can take place at home and other times you will need the help of your vet. If you cant seem to find the problem to seek treatment for it, see your vet immediately so he or she can help you treat your pet.