What To Do If Your German Shepherd Is Limping

Seeing your German Shepherd limp can be upsetting. Hip dysplasia is common in German Shepherds. I have found clear steps to help your dog. Keep reading to learn what to do next.

Key Takeaways

• Common Causes: German Shepherds often limp due to hip dysplasia (affecting 20.6% of puppies), elbow arthritis, panosteitis (growing pains), and ligament injuries like ACL tears.
• When to See a Vet: If your dog is limping for more than two days, shows signs of severe pain, or cannot bear weight on a limb, visit the veterinarian immediately.
• Home Care Steps: Limit your dog’s activities by avoiding running, jumping, and stairs. Use leash walks only and apply cold packs to reduce swelling.
• Professional Treatments: The vet may perform X-rays or an MRI to diagnose the issue. Treatment can include surgery, physical therapy, and medications to relieve pain and improve mobility.
• Early Action Helps: Early detection and treatment of conditions like hip dysplasia and ligament injuries can improve your German Shepherd’s quality of life and prevent further health problems.

Common Causes of Limping in German Shepherds

I’ve seen that German Shepherds often limp because of hip dysplasia or elbow arthritis. Panosteitis and cruciate ligament injuries are also common reasons they might favor a limb.

Developmental joint diseases

Developmental joint diseases affect my German Shepherd as he grows. These issues, like hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia, start between 2 and 8 months old. About 20.6% of German Shepherd puppies get hip dysplasia.

This breed ranks #40 for hip problems and #2 for total hip replacements from 2010 to 2020. Canine hip dysplasia can cause pain and limit movement. Early diagnosis by a dvm can improve his long-term health.

Elbow dysplasia is also common in German Shepherds. It can lead to arthritis in the elbow joint. Ligament injuries, such as torn ACL, may occur too. Recognizing symptoms early helps manage degenerative joint disease.

Veterinary examination is crucial for proper treatment. Physical therapy and sometimes surgery can relieve pain and restore mobility.

Hip dysplasia

Hip dysplasia affects about 20.6% of German Shepherd puppies. This joint disease starts between 2 and 8 months of age. German Shepherds are ranked #40 for hip dysplasia but were the second most common breed for total hip replacements from 2010 to 2020.

Severe hip dysplasia can lead to insurance claims in half of the affected dogs with lifetime policies. The hip joint becomes loose, causing pain and limping. This condition impacts the hips and other joints, making movement difficult for my German Shepherd.

Panosteitis (“growing pains”)

Panosteitis, or “growing pains,” affects German Shepherd puppies three times more than other breeds. My puppy showed severe pain with cycles of limping. This condition causes short-term lameness that switches between legs.

High-protein, high-calorie puppy food may lead to panosteitis. I consulted with my vet to manage my German Shepherd dog’s health.

Ligament injuries

Ligament injuries are common in German Shepherds. They rank fifth for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Neutering can cause weight gain, which raises the risk of ACL injuries.

Adult German Shepherds often suffer from chronic hindlimb lameness due to these injuries. If your dog has hip dysplasia, they are more likely to injure their cruciate ligaments. Recognizing these risks helps me take better care of my German Shepherd’s knees and overall health.

When to Visit the Vet

When my German Shepherd kept limping for over two days or seemed to be in real pain, I knew it was time to visit the vet—keep reading to learn more.

Persistent limping beyond 48 hours

If your German Shepherd is limping beyond 48 hours, I take them to the vet immediately. Chronic forelimb lameness increases the risk of elbow dysplasia by 44 times. The vet may check for hip dysplasia or an ACL injury, as German Shepherds rank fifth for cruciate ligament injuries.

Dogs with hip dysplasia often suffer from ACL injuries too. Persistent limping can also signal panosteitis, especially in younger dogs. Severe pain in puppies may indicate this “growing pains” condition.

Early veterinary care ensures proper treatment and helps prevent further issues.

Signs of severe pain or distress

My German Shepherd limps and refuses to bear weight on his limb. He often whines or yelps when I touch his ankle or foot. Puppies with panosteitis show limping and cry in pain. Adult dogs might have lower back pain or bone cancer, making them avoid moving.

Swelling around the joint or sudden muscle weakness are clear signs. If I see these symptoms, I take him to my vet right away.

Inability to bear weight on the limb

Sarge, my 7-month-old German Shepherd, won’t put weight on his leg. Severe hip dysplasia might be the cause. Dogs with hip dysplasia often suffer from ACL injuries. This condition affects his pelvis and joints, leading to osteoarthritis and more pain.

Panosteitis makes Sarge limp in cycles, switching between his legs. Ligament injuries are common in German Shepherd dogs. If he can’t bear weight, he may need a pelvic osteotomy or surgery.

I took him to the vet for X-rays and an MRI. The doctor of veterinary medicine provided the best treatment options.

Home Remedies and Immediate Care

I limit my German Shepherd’s activities—no running, jumping, or climbing stairs. I apply cold packs to the injured limbs to reduce swelling.

Activity restriction: no running, jumping, or stairs

I keep my German Shepherd calm by avoiding running, jumping, and using stairs. This helps his ACL and other ligaments heal from injuries. I only take him for short leash walks to reduce stress on his legs.

When he’s resting, I apply cold packs to his swollen areas. Resting like this has made a big difference in his recovery. Keeping his activities low prevents more pain and supports his healing process.

Leash-walks only

I keep my German Shepherd on leash walks only. This limits his activity, which helps with his hip dysplasia and prevents ligament injuries like ACL tears. When Sarge has panosteitis, leash walks reduce his muscle contracture and ease his pain.

Dr. Stacy, our D.V.M., advises restricting movement for joint diseases. By avoiding running and jumping, Sarge stays safe and recovers faster. This simple routine makes a big difference in his comfort and health.

Applying cold packs to reduce swelling

I use cold packs on my German Shepherd’s swollen joints. This helps reduce inflammation from injuries like ligament tears or hip dysplasia. For acute injuries, cold therapy is especially effective.

I apply the packs for 15 minutes, three times a day to ease his pain.

Along with anti-inflammatory medications from my vet, cold packs minimize his swelling. Dr. Mike recommends this method for faster recovery. Using cold therapy gives my German Shepherd the comfort he needs while healing.

Professional Treatments and Interventions

I take my German Shepherd to the vet for imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs to find the issue. The vet might recommend surgery or start a physical therapy plan to help them recover.

Diagnostic imaging (X-rays, MRI)

When Sarge, my German Shepherd, started limping, I took him to our vet. They performed diagnostic imaging like X-rays and MRI. This imaging is crucial for identifying joint diseases.

German Shepherds with chronic forelimb lameness have a 44 times higher risk of elbow dysplasia. The X-rays revealed that Sarge had hip dysplasia. The MRI also examined his ACL and other soft tissues.

Dr. Stacy asked several diagnostic questions to evaluate Sarge’s condition fully.

Surgery for severe cases

Surgery often becomes necessary for my German Shepherd when hip or elbow dysplasia is severe. From 2010 to 2020, German Shepherds were second in total hip replacements and seventh in TPLO surgeries.

My vet explained that surgeries like ACL repair can reduce pain and improve mobility. For cases like ligament injuries or advanced joint issues, surgery is a common and effective treatment.

Physical therapy

Physical therapy was key for Sarge’s recovery from his ACL injury. The vets guided us with exercises to strengthen his hamstring and joints. Dr. Stacy recommended glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3s to support his healing.

Through regular sessions, Sarge regained his mobility and felt less pain.

Early physical therapy also helped with his elbow dysplasia. Starting treatment early improved his long-term health. We noticed progress within weeks, and Sarge walked more comfortably each day.

Physical therapy made a big difference in his recovery.

Conclusion

Watching my German Shepherd limp worried me a lot. I knew it could be hip dysplasia, ligament injuries, or other issues. Taking him to the vet was the first step. At home, I limited his activities and used cold packs to help him heal.

By acting quickly, I helped my dog feel better and stay healthy.

FAQs

1. Why is my German Shepherd limping?

Your German Shepherd may be limping due to an ACL injury, degenerative myelopathy, or a neuromuscular disease. These issues involve the nerves and muscles, affecting how your dog moves.

2. What should I do if my German Shepherd is limping?

First, keep your dog calm and limit their movement. Check for any visible injuries. If the limping persists, contact your veterinarian to discuss possible neurological disorders or conditions like myasthenia gravis.

3. When should I take my German Shepherd to the vet for limping?

Take your German Shepherd to the vet if the limping lasts more than a day, if there is swelling, or if your dog shows signs of pain. Early treatment can help manage conditions like paralysis or degenerative myelopathy.

4. Can medications help my German Shepherd stop limping?

Yes, medications like Benadryl may help with certain conditions. However, it is essential to consult your veterinarian before giving any medicine to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your dog’s specific health needs.