When my dog runs sometimes he picks up his back left leg and carries it and hops on the other three. He doesn't seem to be in any pain and he doesn't have any trouble walking on it. He only does it when he runs. Could he have been injured and I didn't notice or is there any possibility that it could be something serious?

I would take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. If he doesn't put any pressure on one of his legs, that means it is hurting him. There is a possibility that it could be serious.

Hello,

If your dog walks and trots on this leg just fine, then it isn't an emergency. You didn't say how old your dog is, or what breed. If he's an older dog it could be that he is developing arthritis in this leg. When he "runs" he goes into a gait where each stride starts with one of the hind legs landing first. The extra weight of all his body on that one leg could make the joint too sore, so he just runs with that leg in the air for a while to let that leg rest.

It would be best to have a vet take a look. The vet might prescribe some rest for healing, or may say it's chronic damage and it's better for the dog to have exercise than to be kept quiet. The vet may also give you some medications to help your dog.

Jc

My dog is a 3 year old yorkie he went to the vet last month but that was before I noticed it so I didn't get the chance to talk to the vet about it. I'm taking him to get his teeth cleaned hopefully in a few weeks so I'll talk to the vet about it then

A few weeks? What if it is very bad and your dog has to suffer until you finally go to the vet. The problem could get even worse then it is already.

If the problem gets any worse - i.e. your dog starts to show signs of pain in this leg when standing, walking, or trotting then your dog should see a vet right away. But if the only time your dog shows signs of favoring this leg is occasionally when he runs it's OK to wait a few weeks to see the vet. In my opinion he can't be "suffering" if he shows no signs of favoring the leg except occasionally when running.

You could call the vet tomorrow to make/confirm your appointment to have his teeth cleaned, and ask that they make a note in his file to ask about and check this leg when you take him in for the teeth cleaning. That way you won't have to worry that you might forget to mention it.

jcdill, the dog is still in pain. Does it matter if he only shows the signs of pain when he runs? And a dog usually runs everyday, and mrshec4, if your dog is not as active take it to the vet. Nothing negative is going to happen if you take him to the vet early. I am just worried about your dog because mine had a similar problem. I took my dog to the vet the next day and he was able to receive the proper treatment before his condition got worse.

happy711, it would be nice if you could share what similar problem your dog had, and what the diagnosis and treatment was, and why it was good that you took your dog in right away. Then we could see how similar your dog's condition is to this dog's condition.

A dog that appears perfectly healthy could have some hidden condition lurking. Does that mean we should take every dog to the vet every month for a complete physical exam, x-rays, blood tests, etc. to try to find a possible hidden condition before it "gets worse"? Obviously that doesn't make sense.

Over the years I've know a lot of dogs that occasionally run on 3 legs. I've heard many vets say "there's nothing I can do" for this type of problem. I have never once heard a vet say "you should have brought this dog in immediately". If the dog shows no signs of soreness at the walk and trot, the problem is NOT an emergency.

This weekend many vets are quite busy trying to save dogs that ate easter chocolate. Those dogs are seriously sick - unfortunately some of them will die. On another site where I answer questions we have had 25 questions about dogs getting into chocolate today. :-(

jc

Well I am very sorry about the dogs that have eaten the chocolate and have gotten sick. I am not being sarcastic if it sounds that way and I do care.
With my dog, it was not using one of its back leg. This happened about a year ago, so I do not remember what exactly happened. But, the doctor gave him some medicine and his leg was better. It was good that I took him in right away because he could have injured it even more then he did already by falling, slipping.. etc.
Also, the condition is not hidden. If mrshec4 didn't think there was a brought with his/her dog, then he/she wouldn't have posted a question about it.

OK well the reason I'm not so gung ho to take him to the vet every time he has a minor problem is because I don't have money to pay the outrageous vet fees. Also I hate when I think it's serious and I pay a $50 vet bill or $250 for emergency care and they tell me there's nothing wrong or nothing they can do! It's a waste of money and time. I'm sure if my dog was in serious pain he wouldn't even walk on the leg at all or he would be more vocal about his pain. (whining, howling, yelping) Thanks for the advice. I'm going to wait the few weeks to see the vet. I posted on here to see if anyone had any similar experiences and could maybe give me an idea of what could be wrong. I don't have to have someone tell me to "take him to the vet b/c it could be serious" that's a given. Thank you anyway.

Take a look at his feet, there could be something stuck between the pads. My dog had a piece of glass stuck in his paw once, he only favored the leg when he ran because that's when more pressure was put on the paw and therefore on the glass. If there is something stuck in the paw then determine whether you can remove it safely, make sure to sterilize it after and maybe put a sock on the foot and tape it securely onto the paw for a day or two.

It could also be a muscle spasm, that is also quite common.

Do get the vet to check him over when he goes for his next visit. Go to the vet immediately if the condition worsens ie: he limps even when walking or wines or yelps when pressure is put on that foot.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

I agree with Altenweg, do take a look at your dog's feet. My dogs nail was coming off, and it hurt for him to put pressure on it until we cut his nail.

If you feel that going to the vet isn't necessary right away, then you a probably right. I can not see the dog myself but do what ever you feel is right.
Good luck to your pup.

Well I checked his feet and didn't find anything but I'm sure if there was something stuck in the paw, the groomer would've seen it when she clipped his nails and hair. Thanks for the advice.