Should I wrap my dog's leg if he's limping?

If your dog is in severe pain, do not attempt to examine him. Even if he is not in obvious discomfort, manipulating broken bones or dislocated joints can cause unnecessary pain and may worsen the injury. A simple way to determine the severity of the injury is that most dogs will not walk on a broken leg, torn ligament, or dislocated joint. For non-emergency limps, if you notice a foreign body between the toes and can reach it easily, remove it and clean the wound with antibacterial soap. Soak the foot in warm water with Epsom salts to relieve swelling, then carefully pat dry. Confine lame dogs and restrict their activity. If lameness persists for more than 24 hours, seek veterinary care. The evaluation of most lame dogs is best left to a veterinarian, but here are a few pointers to help you determine if your veterinarian is needed immediately. A good exam requires two people: one to examine the leg and one to restrain the dog. After you identify the injured leg, try to pinpoint where it hurts. Begin your exam with the toes. Look between the toes for foreign bodies or redness. Examine the pads for cuts or punctures and assess each toenail for breaks or nail bed infections. Apply gentle pressure to each toe and note painful areas. Most dogs will pull the leg back when you touch a sore spot. If anything looks or feels unusual, compare it to the other leg. Then call your veterinarian with your observations.

A mild strain may cause a dog to limp slightly, but probably doesn't need more than a simple neoprene wrap for support. A wrist or ankle wrap allows the dog to continue to flex and move the injured limb while it’s being lightly supported. If your dog's leg needs to be braced, always work with your veterinarian. Your vet can help you select and purchase a splint for you to ensure it's properly used. Supporting a Dog's Leg Injury Choosing the right type of support for your pet’s leg injury is crucial to helping them recover. Once your veterinarian has determined how bad your pet’s injury is and which joint is affected, it’s time to support the joint to prevent further injury as they heal. If you are looking to brace a dog's leg, they must be seen by a Veterinary professional for treatment.

You have broadly two options in terms of dog leg wraps depending on the strength of wrap and support you think your dog would prefer. This wrap can be worn for exercise or simply in the house, it can help reduce your dog's limp by providing support it can't currently give itself due to the injury. It acts similar to a splint but without the hard shell. For either wrap, start by measuring two parts of the dogs leg. The circumference and The length will give you the size wrap you require.