Injury or Just Sore Muscles?

[Tait & Finn]

My boy Finn is 8 monts old. On Sunday we had a dog swim at our local pool. He had the time of his life. Chasing his friends around and around the deck area, romping in the baby pool, dunking under the water. So this morning comes and he's limping, wont sit, it's either up or laying down, no sitting. And he's chewing on his rear right foot like crazy. Before we left the pool, I noticed there was some blood on his fur on that foot. I examined it when we got home and it looked like the nail was just split a bit, from tearing up the concrete, I assume. All of his nails are worn down, in fact (save on grinding at the groomer!). But I'm kinda concerned for the big guy. I'll be watching him like a hawk tomorrow and see how he's doing. Hopefully better than today. He's just so low energy and slow. So unlike him. I'm hoping its just sore muscles after a rough and different workout.

I included a couple pics of Finn in action.

Has anyone experienced this with your pups??

[Tait & Finn]

Here's the other pic I meant to include.

[Bonnie and Kona]

The photos are great. It looks like Finn was having a wonderful time. I am no expert, but I think there is more likely an injury than sore muscles. The soreness would not make it hard for him to sit.

My guys have increased their exercise exponentially upon moving near a beach, and no matter how much fetching in the ocean that they do they never act like Finn is acting. They might get up a bit more slowly, but they do not refuse to sit.

You might want to try securing a sock on that foot that he is chewing to try to protect it from him a bit.

Please keep us posted on your your sweet guy is doing. He sure is cute!

[Christine & Camus]

If he is still not acting normally tomorrow I think a vet check is in order.

[Marcia & MoneyPenny]

My last golden was a real climber, we live at the base of a ski mountain & our yard is pitched with very larger boulders. She would & could climb anything. She did split a nail which became infected. The vet removed the nail & she wore a protective bootie for a week or two. Nothing serious but I think your vet needs a look.
Good luck & keep us posted.

[Tait & Finn]

Thanks for all your comments. Finn seems to be doing better today. Not limping nearly as much, is sitting, even ran a little gallop just now. I checked his foot again and the nail isn't split after all. They are all just really worn down. The one in question i think was just shorter than the rest. And he's not chewing on his foot like he was yesterday. He's still moving slowly but faster than yesterday so I'm hoping he's on the mend. I will continue to monitor. Thanks again.

[Anita - Thunder, Noodle, Sparky]

I think of my kids at the start of pool season and their feet were always raw from the pool area. The pads of his feet may be tender too. Not sure how that would affect his sitting, but I bet his pads got a bit of wear and tear as well as his nails. My hunting friend (yes, they treat dogs way different that doodle friends) told me to give leg tenderness and limping 3 days before taking them in. Of course, use your best judgement, but I give legs a 3-day rule now. It sounds like your beauty Finn is doing much better already!

[Bonnie and Kona]

I'm so happy to hear Finn is improving. Thanks for posting. Enjoy your pup!

[Tait & Finn]

Thanks again for all the comments and well wishes. Anita, I like the 3 days rule. We're on day 2 and Finn is back to his good, crazy, jumping norm (and boy can he jump high!). The cats were happy with his slowed down mode but he's back to his cat chasing self, I am happy to report.

[Linda And Loo]

:)