Animals, like people, get sick from time to time. It is most reasonable to consult a veterinarian at the first sign of malaise, who can conduct an examination and prescribe the correct treatment. If this is not possible, you can try to help the dog yourself.
Mechanical damage
If you notice that your dog is tucking his paws in order not to lean on them when walking, examine the limbs for damage. Cuts, stuck plant thorns or glass shards, dislocations and bruises can hurt the animal. If you find a splinter in your paw, gently remove it with tweezers. The cut can be treated with hydrogen peroxide to prevent infection from entering the wound. Feel your dog's paws carefully to rule out dislocation, fracture, or severe bruising. With a fracture and dislocation, the dog will squeal even with a light touch, the limb may be deformed. All types of injuries can cause severe swelling. To help the animal, you can apply a bandage to the affected area, apply ice, and if necessary, give pain reliever. Take the animal to your veterinarian as soon as possible.
Dysplasia of the hip joints
Some breeds, most often large and overweight animals, often suffer from diseases of the musculoskeletal system. St. Bernards, Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia. Usually this disease appears even in puppies at the age of 4-10 months. Initially, the animal limps when it tries to get up, but after a couple of minutes, its gait becomes even. If this was not followed by an appeal to a veterinarian, the problem may worsen: the animal is constantly limping, its paws hurt. Dysplasia is a hereditary disorder and there is no cure. However, medical intervention can stop or significantly slow down the progression of the disease. The sooner you see a specialist when you notice a problem, the more likely your dog is to have a fulfilling life. In the most severe cases, surgery is indicated for animals.
Senile diseases of the joints
With age, dogs can develop diseases such as arthrosis, discospondylitis, osteochondrosis. The first symptoms are similar to dysplasia of the hip joints - getting up, the animal limps. Gradually, the disease progresses, the dog feels pain, he refuses to go for a walk, stops moving even within the apartment. The result can be complete paralysis. Only a veterinarian can provide the best assistance to an animal in this situation. These diseases cannot be cured, but timely intake of medications and physiotherapy procedures can slow down the progression of the disease and give your pet a few more years of healthy life.
