Limping Springer

[Ziggyzoom]

Our Springer had his usual hour and a half run this morning with no obvious incident. About an hour ago I noticed he was limping on and off. Now he is constantly keeping one of his back legs off the ground.

I've checked the paw and it is fine. When I touched the muscular part at the top of his leg he flinched and became defensive.

My question is - do I leave it - to see if it gets better on its own and if I do, how long should I wait.

I don't like thinking of him in pain.

Is he licking at all? How is he in himself?

No licking, no wound that I can see. He seems subdued and is currently cuddled up to me sighing to himself.

Could be a sprain. Springers (I have two) are so active & I've known both of ours pull a muscle more than once.

IME they usually improve within a day or two, but I'd give the vet a call on Monday if it's still obviously sore.

Huge list of possibilities. I might be inclined to keep him quiet overnight and review things in the morning. Obviously if you feel he's really painful you should call your vet so he can be given pain relief.

Thank you. That's what I was thinking but I didn't know how long to leave it.

I've given him treats so that I can have a look at it he's eating and responding as normal, just reluctant to put his foot down.

He's not in agony, he managed to get up onto the sofa to snuggle with me! I will see how he is in the morning I think.

Why do these things always happen at the weekend!

You won't believe it but that's what we vets say too

I'm sure you do! It's reassuring to have a vet's view though, thank you.

They do always happen at the weekend, don't they?

In our house I think it's because the springers get longer walks over rougher terrain when we have more time at the weekends, and you know what springers are like, bouncing around & getting into everything.

One of them managed to catch herself on barbed wire one Saturday morning & got a nasty tear under her armpit (so to speak). That required an immediate trip to the vet & a general anaesthetic to stitch it back together.

Your dog is gorgeous, btw & I hope his leg is better soon.

Aw, thank you.

Just an update for those who were kind enough to comment - he is putting his foot down again today but is nowhere as nimble as he normally is. So I think it is a sprain and we will rest it today and see how he is tomorrow (by which time he will be stir crazy!). Thank you again for your advice.