• My dog hasn't put her hind leg down. There's nothing in her paw, and she did not made any painful noises when I touched it or felt around it. Can this heal itself, should I bring her in to my veterinarian?

    If she won’t put her leg down then something is bothering her. It could be the hip joint or the knee.

    It is not uncommon for small dogs to have luxating patellas- kneecaps that move out of their proper position during which dogs will often carry their legs. When the kneecap pops back into place they start using their leg again. This condition can lead to arthritis over time.There is another condition that occurs less often that results in a loss of blood supply to part of the hip joint.

    A good physical examination by the veterinarian will be able to pinpoint where the problem is and then you can discuss what the problem is and what needs to be done to resolve it. Good luck.

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