If they are limping then call the dog up onto your couch. Check under the pad of the sore leg and if they pull their foot back then it's a bruised pad. It may also be a ligament in the leg. Here are two things you can do before seeing your vet:
Take one half cup of Epsom Salts and put boiling water in it to dissolve the crystals. Then add to a basin of TEPID water (check water with the underside of your wrist.) Take the paw and put it into the basin for at least 10 minutes.
To be sure it's not the leg, start to massage at the top of the leg where the muscles starts and gently massage for 2 - 3 minutes then take both thumbs and gently massage all the way down the leg. Do this several times during the next couple of days.
Check the 'dew claw' behind the dog's foot to be sure it's not bleeding or it's not growing into the skin. This can be painful as well.
If you dog is still limping it's best to see the vet to be sure something hasn't poked in between the pads of the dogs foot. It isn't uncommon for a dog to get what they call a 'stone bruise' on one of their pads.
Take one half cup of Epsom Salts and put boiling water in it to dissolve the crystals. Then add to a basin of TEPID water (check water with the underside of your wrist.) Take the paw and put it into the basin for at least 10 minutes.
To be sure it's not the leg, start to massage at the top of the leg where the muscles starts and gently massage for 2 - 3 minutes then take both thumbs and gently massage all the way down the leg. Do this several times during the next couple of days.
Check the 'dew claw' behind the dog's foot to be sure it's not bleeding or it's not growing into the skin. This can be painful as well.
If you dog is still limping it's best to see the vet to be sure something hasn't poked in between the pads of the dogs foot. It isn't uncommon for a dog to get what they call a 'stone bruise' on one of their pads.
