Limping puppy

[Duckslayer89]

I have a 9 month old black lab. He’s really good looking and well tempered. Medium sized and muscular. We walk him regularly. Monday he started limping and holding his paw up when sitting. I checked his paw for thorns and didn’t see anything. I started to rub his paw and the webbing for thorns and there was nothing. He yelped a tiny almost whine when I was rubbing his paw but it could have been just because he didn’t like it. So I’ve been waiting for him to get better and now I’m freakin out thinking it could be elbow dysplasia because it doesn’t seem to be improving. Could it be a pulled muscle or shoulder? I’ve extended his elbow out when he’s relaxing and bent it straight then up bent multiple times. Flexed his joints and he acts like nothing is wrong at all. Then goes back to limping around the house when he walks around. Thanks for the help

[KFhunter]

How long has the limp went on?

[Duckslayer89]

How long has the limp went on?

Started on Monday my gf says

[Duckslayer89]

He will still paw with his left hand and also run around on it. Just limps

[KFhunter]

Limp on hard floors?

Shag carpet?

Lush lawn?

[ShaneTyTrey]

Is it possible he could have gotten glass shards in his paw? 

[KFhunter]

I’ve extended his elbow out when he’s relaxing and bent it straight then up bent multiple times. Flexed his joints and he acts like nothing is wrong at all

This leads me to believe it's most likely not elbow dysplasia, most likely a sprain from rough play.  It could be a tweaked toenail too or tweaked finger.

Take him swimming and see if he's using full range of motion in the water, otherwise I'd try to just keep things low key for another week or so and see if it resolves.   

[Duckslayer89]

I’ve extended his elbow out when he’s relaxing and bent it straight then up bent multiple times. Flexed his joints and he acts like nothing is wrong at all

This leads me to believe it's most likely not elbow dysplasia, most likely a sprain from rough play.  It could be a tweaked toenail too or tweaked finger.

Take him swimming and see if he's using full range of motion in the water, otherwise I'd try to just keep things low key for another week or so and see if it resolves.   

Unfortunately he was chasing toys on the patio in the back. He doesn’t know how to take it easy. Everything is 100% as fast and as hard as he can. So definitely no more concrete playing. That’s good news about you not thinking it’s his elbow. I’ve pinched and pushed on every part of his elbow and he never even lifts his head up. So no signs of pain when touched. Idk if elbow dysplasia is sensitive to the touch?

[Duckslayer89]

Is it possible he could have gotten glass shards in his paw?

That’s a possibility as we go for walks around the neighborhood

[KFhunter]

Ah  ha!

Dogs get their nails stuck in between the deck boards and tweak them all the time

I'd bet a beer this is the case

Edit: nevermind, I see its a patio not a deck, and concrete not wood

[callturner]

Does he flinch when you massage his paw? Could be a sliver of some sort .

[KFhunter]

He'd be chewing on his paw, that wasn't mentioned so I assumed that's not happening

[KFhunter]

I'd give it a few more days, try the swimming and see if soft surfaces still limp then time for vet by next friday unless marked improvement.

[Duckslayer89]

He'd be chewing on his paw, that wasn't mentioned so I assumed that's not happening

Ya no licking or chewing at all...any other ways to check for elbow dysplasia kfhunter?

[KFhunter]

Not at home