Should I be worried that my puppy limps and has trouble getting up after sitting?
Original Question: My 105 lb 8-month-old Newfoundland/Labrador mix is limping. Seems like there’s an issue with his front paw. When he sits on the floor his bottom just drops and is a little sluggish trying to get back on his feet. When he is playing it’s not an issue. Is he just growing or should I be worried? - Jean
Jun 27, 2017
Hi Jean,
Large breed dogs can experience what are essentially “growing pains,” or panosteitis. Typically, these are more noticeable in the long bones but it could be challenging sometimes to specifically localize the pain in a patient as sometimes it shifts which leg is affected. Lyme disease could present similarly as being a non-specific pain involving the joints. For more information on the topic of ticks and Lyme disease, I encourage you to take a look at our video. Anytime a pet is sluggish, especially one so young, I think it’s worth having checked to make sure there isn’t a bigger problem.
All the best,
Dr. Ryan Llera
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