Bastard Spaniel has gone lame

[SnakeyMcBadass]

He was fine on his walks yesterday, can find no obvious injury and he's letting me manipulate it etc. He started carrying his back right leg last night. This morning, he was putting it to the ground but not fully weight bearing. After lying down for a snooze, he's limping on it. How long would you wait and see before heading to the vet? No swelling or anything. He's fed up because I haven't taken him on his morning walk. He's a bit like that Monty Python knight and doesn't know what's good for him.

[PoppyShakespeare]

could it be a grass seed?

[Trickytricky]

This sometimes happens to my DM's working cocker, he's probably slipped or twisted it whilst tearing around like a maniac! We usually let him rest for a couple of days and if still bad take him to the vet. If you can manipulate it and no obvious sign of injury I'd say it's likely to be a twist. Are you sure there's no thorn in the pad or anything?

They do get very down that you're not walking them but we just keep saying "it's for your own good". Good luck!

[SnakeyMcBadass]

Can't see anything. He'd normally chew at his foot if he had a thorn etc. He does tend to ricochet about the place so I suspect he has sprained or twisted his knee? Elbow?!

[Floralnomad]

My boy was intermittently lame in front with no obvious injury and eventually we had X-rays ,which showed up nothing so was diagnosed with a soft tissue injury ( possible ligament damage) - we had to not exercise for 4-6 weeks and he is finally sound again and can chase his beloved tennis balls but I've stopped all his agility work as I do think that the jumping was probably the cause .

[SnakeyMcBadass]

Tried a more thorough look between his pads and got a grumpy growl for my troubles. No blood or obvious injury. Hmmm.

[applegate79]

My springer did something similar last week, became lame on tuesday afternoon and got steadily worse through the eve until he couldn't weight bear at all. I couldn't see anything until the third look when I spotted the tiniest grass seed, removed it and altho it took 24 hrs he was soon back to normal. Apparently it's really common in spaniels due to their feathery feet!!