Dog limping
Limping is the dog refusing to load a painful leg. Some causes are a broken nail. Others are a torn ligament or a fracture that gets worse the longer the dog walks on it. Decide how urgent it is from weight bearing, swelling, and how the limp started.
Look before you leash up
Watch the dog walk a few steps on a non-slip floor. A dog who holds a paw completely off the ground needs a same-day exam, and an emergency exam if the leg looks crooked, dangles, or the dog screams when that area is touched. Do not pull, flex, or "test" a swollen joint. You can turn a stable crack into a displaced fracture.
Check the paw pads and the nails. A nail torn at the base bleeds more than people expect and hurts enough to cause a three-legged hop. If the nail is attached by a shred and the dog is otherwise comfortable after the bleeding stops, a regular clinic can often handle it that day. Cover the foot with a light, loose bandage only if you can do it without cutting off circulation, and do not leave it on overnight.
Knees, hips, and backs
A sudden limp in the hind leg of a middle-aged dog, often after a play session, is a classic way cranial cruciate ligament disease shows up. The dog may toe-touch and then seem better after rest, which tempts people to wait a month. The knee is still unstable. Book an exam rather than starting a jogging program.
Hind-end weakness that affects both legs, especially with a hunched back, yelping when picked up, or loss of coordination, can be intervertebral disc disease. If the dog cannot stand, drags the toes, or loses bladder control, that is an emergency. Minutes matter more for deep pain loss than for a mild toe-touch limp.
Puppies who limp after a jump may have a growth-plate injury. Older large dogs who are stiff after rest may have osteoarthritis, which is a plan with your veterinarian, not a one-time pain pill from the pharmacy.
Pain medicine
Never give ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen. Dog-specific anti-inflammatories exist, and the dose is based on an exam and bloodwork in many cases. A dose that was safe last year may be wrong after a weight change or a new kidney problem. Ice for ten minutes can help a known sprain while you drive, wrapped in a cloth, not pressed onto an open wound.
Rest means a leash to the bathroom, not "light fetch." Stairs and slick floors make cruciate and disc injuries worse. Use the when-to-see-a-vet checker if you are unsure, and see other guides on the vet help hub.
Sources
Clinic decisions belong to the veterinarian who can examine the animal. This page is background reading.
Dog limping questions
When is a limp an emergency?
A leg that will not bear weight, a dangling limb, a cry with a swollen joint, or sudden back pain with weak legs should be seen immediately.
Can I give ibuprofen for a limp?
No. Ibuprofen and naproxen commonly cause stomach ulcers and kidney injury in dogs.
Should I walk a limping dog to test the leg?
Skip the long walk. A short look in the house is enough until a veterinarian has checked for a fracture or ligament tear.