Puppy Can't Walk

[Sharon Vogel]

So our little girl just turned 1 a few months ago. She is a mini 15 lb. F1B goldendoodle. Today we took her to our dog beach and she sprinted about 30 yards to another dog, then sprinted back, then sprinted to another dog, then sprinted back. This went on for a little while, about 5 minutes, and then suddenly as she was walking towards me, she suddenly gives a loud yelp and can't put any weight on her back left leg. We thought she might have stepped on a sharp shell or broken piece of glass. I picked her up, washed off her foot and found nothing wrong with the pad or anything in between. I set her down and as soon as she began to walk away, she yelped like somebody shocked her and wouldn't put weight on her foot. At this point I couldn't stand her being in pain so I picked her up (thank God she's little) and we brought her home.

It's been hours and she still cries out in pain whenever she tries to stand. My heart is breaking for her because running around like mad is one of her favorite things to do. She hasn't peed in a long long time because she won't stand. I don't know what to do. Please respond if anyone has experienced anything similar and what they did that helped. Her vet isn't open until Monday, but I will take her if this doesn't get any better. I will also try to post this discussion to other groups that may be able to help.

Thank you all!

Sharon and Dashi

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Do you have an emergency vet in your town? You may want to take her there. Dogs don't cry unless they are in real pain. I'm hoping it's just a sprain but something may be broken. Maybe a small fracture that you can't see. Or a torn ACL.

[Mary & Madison]

Yes, I think you should get her to a vet. Is your vet on call?? Could be something embedded in her pad. Good luck

[Debbie & Gibbs]

Is her leg swollen at all? If she is in that much pain I would also be afraid that she might have torn or broken something. I would also take her to an emergency room for a check up. Can you put a towel under her belly and use it as a sling to support her so that she can potty? Please post what happened.

[Helga, Nimbus, Sierra, Clooney]

I would also take her to an emergency vet.
Sometimes they twist something and after an hour or so they can put weight on the leg again. But it sounds like it's been longer. Take her!

[Sharon Vogel]

Still no change. We'll take her to ER in the morning. She had no trouble sleeping at least. I'll try to support her so she can pee outside. Thanks for the tip. I'll update when something changes or we get a diagnosis. Thank you all for the support and advice.

[Sharon Vogel]

Also I want to mention that I've massaged all up and down that leg and she's never once winced. It's only when she walks that she yelps. I feel like if something were broken she'd cry when I grabbed it. Though I'm no vet. That's why I'm inclined to think it's a muscle or ligament.

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

I had a Golden retriever that had a broken leg and never showed any sign of pain even when the doctor pushed and pulled on it. Our only indication was her limping horribly. I have learned that Goldens tend to be very stoic and not show their pain. I think the Doodles get some of that as well. Hopefully an X-ray will tell you what's wrong. Please update us when you know something.

[andrea shayegani]

ER vet!

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

To limp is one thing, but to keep crying out in pain, I think you should take her to ER vet.
Good luck and keep us informed.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Sharon ~ how is Dash doing today? Were you able to get in to see a Vet?

[Laura and Angus]

I agree with what everyone has already said. You should probably take her to go get X-Rays because sometimes you can't feel small fractures. I will also say that when Angus was younger he would occasionally pull or strain a muscle from exuberance. He's super hyper and sometimes he was just be sprinting or jumping around and then later in the day would be limping. Keeping him home for a day to rest usually cleared it up. However, if your pup is yelping in pain and still limping after a day of rest, then it certainly warrants a visit to the vet (or ER if the vet isn't open). At the very least you can get definitive answers and pain killers/anti-inflammatory meds for the baby. Hope she's back on her feet soon!

[Sharon Vogel]

I'm sitting in the ER still, I'll update you all later. I think they'll do x-rays. Thanks everyone!