When to Seek Emergency Care for a Limping Pet

Your pet’s lameness can usually wait until the next business day for veterinary care. However, certain conditions, plus limping, mean you must head to your nearest emergency veterinary hospital immediately.

Lameness signs in pets that require emergency care

If your four-legged friend shows any of the following signs, head to the emergency room:

  • Dragging a limb
  • Not bearing weight on a limb
  • Extreme lethargy
  • Uncontrollable bleeding
  • Excessive swelling
  • Excessive vocalization
  • Abrupt worsening of a limp

If your pet has minor lameness and worrying signs like vomiting or diarrhea, they may require emergency treatment for the primary cause, not necessarily the limp.

Lameness causes in pets that require emergency care

Pets can fall lame for many reasons, some needing immediate treatment. While a muscle sprain or strain is concerning, you do not need to rush to the nearest emergency hospital. However, certain conditions do require urgent care, including

  • A fractured limb
  • Paresis or paralysis of one or more limbs
  • A deep or large wound that will not stop bleeding
  • A venomous insect or snake bite
  • A car accident
  • A dog fight

Some situations may not appear to result in much injury, but internal issues that require treatment could develop. For example, you may think that your pet who was hit by a car with only some road rash on their legs and a minor limp is fine. Still, a comprehensive examination may reveal damage to their liver, spleen, kidneys, or bladder, which could require intensive hospitalization. 

Another common situation that requires emergency treatment is a pet that another pet has bitten. Puncture marks leave only small holes, but the wounds quickly become infected. Additionally, a pet who grabs and shakes your pet can cause a great deal of underlying tissue damage that can rapidly become a serious problem.

Determining whether your four-legged friend who has become a three-legged pet needs emergency care can be difficult. So, call our team to discuss your pet’s condition, and we can advise you whether they need emergency treatment.