To ask if you've had experience of this?

[Icedwatermelon]

Let me start by saying my dog is petrified of the vets. So much so that we have to sedate him. He's a chihuahua cross Yorkshire terrier so small breed and only goes to the vets when absolutely necessary due to the pressure it puts on him.

A couple of days ago he was running round the corner and yelped. I've noticed that he limp on his back right leg has got worse over the past couple of days and today he's just been sat in the same position all day. If I call him to go out he just looks at me. On the occasions that I've picked him up to go outside he's has walked on it fine to have a wee and poo etc.

I've had a good look at his leg and can't see any obviously reason - like a foreign object being stuck etc and likewise he lets me touch it, move it round etc.

My DH thinks he's sprained it. I'm worried about him and don't know whether to take him to the vets - remember we are told to only take him if necessary. WWYD?

I think he needs to see a vet.

It might be nothing too serious, and just a pulled muscle, but if he's reacting as he is, it's clearly sore and at the least he ought to be on pain relief.

But equally, I am aware that in small dogs, they are particularly prone to problems with the cruciate ligament/kneecap, which can require surgery.

Can you see if your vets will do a home visit, and take some of the stress off taking him into the vets?

Mobility is probably good for him, so get him to keep light activity (I imagine).

Not had this, sorry, don't evenlive with a dog right now. But I can see why I'd probably just keep an eye on it.

I haven't taken him on a proper walk since it happened as I'm worried it will do more damage. He doesn't seem interested in even going out for a wee

I'd have him straight to the vet.

It might possibly be a luxating patella - my dog had this as a pup. His kneecap kept dislodging - he would squeal and limp, then be OK, then squeal and limp when it popped out again. We had it pinned and had no further problems - still in place 11 years later. I think you should brave the vets, as if he's not moving, he's probably in discomfort if not pain.

I've just taken him for a very quick walk to see how he reacted. He was walking on it absolutely fine then when he used his right leg to cock it to have a wee, he started limping on it for a couple of seconds then went back to walking fine. We've just come back and he's sat back in the same spot so I'm confused as to what's going on

At our veterinary surgery if the dog is very nervous (or aggressive) they let you in the back door to the surgery when it is your turn so you don't have to wait inside. Maybe something like this could help?

Our dog (Lab) had this. Left it for about a week then, when there was no improvement, took him to the vet. It was his cruciate. Two grand later... The operation was a total success though.

Did it make it worse that you waited a week before taking the dog to vet, DCMCharlotte?

Any chance you could ask the vet or maybe another vet in your area to do a call out visit to stop your dog getting nervous?

No, just no improvement. In fact the vet said he could manage without surgery but wouldn't be terribly comfortable long term.

charlotte was it covered by pet insurance?

Well it would have been if we had any! I think some of the cost was down to his size (big dog). Our cat developed a limp last year. Went through the x-rays etc. Just soft tissue damage and right as rain within a few weeks. Fingers crossed he recovers by himself

Take him to the vet please OP he could be in pain/discomfort. Don't leave him hoping it will go away.