Joint Pain In Small Dogs

[sandyRoe]

A Cairn Terrier, 9 or 10 years old, is trying to avoid putting any weight on its back left paw. I'm sure there's no injury to the paw. Could this be joint problems? And if so, what to do?

[Robinia]

Possibly a joint but have you checked between his/her toes? Same happened to my little dog and he had had a cyst.

[sandyRoe]

I'll phone the vet later this morning for an appointment.

[woofgang]

the other thing it can be is a dislocating patella, yes a vet needs to sort this.

[lankeela]

A lot of small dogs suffer from patella luxation and its often known as the 'Jack Russell hop' and most owners never do anything about it, although it is easily treated and most uncomfortable if not sorted. A lot of them carry a hind leg either intermittently or all the time depending on the extend of the pain and the luxation. It can be tested for by vets who grade it depending on how easily the kneecap slides in and out of the groove it sits in.