It is upsetting to see your dog or cat limping when they strain their legs and paws. However, there are some things you can do to help comfort and care for them until you can contact the veterinarian. If certain precautions are taken, you may even keep the problem from getting worse. Here are some of the common causes for sprains and what you can do to keep the injury from worsening until you can get help at a place like Evergreen Veterinary Clinic.
Common Causes for Sprains
Generally, sprains or soft tissue damage is caused by injury or overuse of the muscles. Just like humans, pets that are overweight and under-conditioned are more prone to sprains than pets of normal weight. Sprains can also happen by accident such as when your pet is jumping off the couch or stumbles or slips while running.
Symptoms of Sprains
The most obvious sign that your pet has a sprain is a limp or favoring of one limb over the other. Your pet may actually cry out or whimper after hurting itself or when you touch the area. He or she may also sleep in odd positions such as having the limb stretched out. You may also see visible signs of swelling around the injured area.
First Aid for Sprains
If there are no obvious injuries and your pet is mostly acting lame, the best thing you can do is let him or her rest. You can also use an ice pack or heating pad if the area appears swollen. Check with your veterinarian if you don't see improvement within a day. If the injury is more severe, such as a broken bone, then you will need to immobilize your pet and bring him or her to a veterinarian.
Preventing Sprains
One of the best ways to prevent sprains is to keep your pet at a healthy weight and condition him or her slowly. This is especially important if your pet has been inactive for some time. Though accidents can happen, make sure your home and yard is free of anything that might cause injury to your pet (and yourself).
It's not uncommon for a pet to have an occasional sprain due to a wrong move or over-activity. Most sprains will resolve themselves with proper rest and basic first aid. However, if your pet appears to have a broken bone or a swelling that won't go away, then it's critical that you see your veterinarian as soon as possible. That way, you can reduce the chance of he or she having a long-term, painful problem.
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