hind leg / hip

Question
My lab has not been able to put any pressure on her left hind leg for approx one week now.  I have held her paw and manipulated her leg and she doesn't seem to have any pain in the leg area or on her paw.  I assume the problem may be with her hip.  Do you know what may cause this?  Also will her leg settle in a position where she can not put it down any more if she continues to not use it?  Is there anything she can be given for pain, if she is in pain - I do not know how to tell.  

Answer
Not knowing her age makes it much harder to say.  If it has gone for a week, maybe it is time to let a vet check her.  The vet can also prescribe more effective pain medicine.  If you don't choose to take her to the vet, don't give her any over the counter pain medicine except buffered aspirin.  One standard 325 mg tablet for a 65 pound dog every 12 hours.  None of the newer Tylenol etc.  

Overweight is common in Labs, and makes any joint problems worse, see http://www.photolocker.net/images/Labman/proplanc.jpg  Your vet should agree on this.