Possible sprain

Question
Hi There,

Yesterday we took our dog for a walk and as she was running down a sand dune, we noticed that she fell and it looked like she had put a lot of pressure on her back right foot. She instantly started to limp and has been since yeaterday. Her back paw is very swollen -she can place her paw on the floor and move the paw around. If we touch the leg she doesnt flinch or cry in pain at all. She is resting at the moment but has no issues around getting about-she will still go upstairs etc.Do you have any advice? Do you think it is a sprain? Can we give her paracetamols?

Thanks

Rachel

Answer
Please do not give your dog anything with acetaminophen in it. I am pretty sure that paracetamol is a form of that. It is highly toxic and deadly to your dog.

Now, as for her leg,or foot, you are probably right about it being a sprain or she might have tweaked a tendon in her foot. You can try icing it but in reality, since it is so very swollen, it sounds like she needs an xray of it.

It's already been over 24 hours so if the swelling hasn't gone down by this afternoon- I would make an appointment at the vets.

Plain buffered aspirin is what most vets will tell you to give to a dog until they can see them. The dose is one tablet per 30 lbs. One twice a day is given for a large dog. Baby aspirin is better for small dogs.

Aspirin is VERY hard on their stomachs so don't give it for more than a day or two and always give it with food.

But your vet has much safer and better acting pain medications, so call the vet and take her in if her foot is still swollen later today.