• Last night when I took my dog out, he randomly started limping and crying. He didn't step on anything, I checked his paws, joints, and legs. I took him back inside out of the snow and he was fine, bouncing and running around. I took him out just now and he reacted the same as last night, whimpering and limping. What could be wrong?

    I recommend that you take him in to see your veterinarian as soon as possible. Intermittent limping can be caused by a few different things. This includes some underlying medical issues or infections that can get worse if not treated.

    Other causes can include an injury or arthritis. In some cases once he warms up these injuries can become less painful and he can appear to walk and play normally. Your veterinarian can perform a specialized orthopedic exam which helps to localize the area that is uncomfortable and can sometimes diagnose the cause of his limping.

    In some cases they may need to perform x-rays or some laboratory tests to help with the diagnosis. The treatment that he needs will depend on the underlying cause of the limping and pain.

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