My 12 year-old doggie came in to the house yesterday with a VERY obvious limp. He doesn't yelp, or anything like that, but is it very clear that he is in pain.

He went out last night and didn't come back until this morning.....this behavior is very unlike him. I was actually fearful that he might have gone out to die, but now thinking about it, that was a pretty ridiculous thought seeing as he probably won't ever die, and certainly not now.

Anyway, when he strolled into the yard this morning, he still had the same bad limp. He is now lounging on the carpet in a sunny spot by the window. He currently seems content.

I'd like to investigate his leg and foot to see what the problem is. He has prior history of being aggressive, and I still have a scar on my hand and arm from when I tried to give him a bath last month.

Does anyone know of a way to best handle him so that I can see what is wrong with him? I am aware that his injury might be internal, but if it is something external, I'd like to see what it might be, i.e. a thorn in his side, a bb to his hip, or an infected toenail, etc.

Any suggestions? I doubt that I could gather him up to take him to the vet without him biting me.

2 man blanket attack. Have Bob drop a blanket on the dog making sure head is covered. While Bob grabs the dog and its snapping in the blanket, examine the leg. Warning: the dog will be distrustful of both of you for awhile and have an aversion to blankets, but at least you'll be able to find out what's wrong with the pup.

2 man blanket attack. Have Bob drop a blanket on the dog making sure head is covered. While Bob grabs the dog and its snapping in the blanket, examine the leg. Warning: the dog will be distrustful of both of you for awhile and have an aversion to blankets, but at least you'll be able to find out what's wrong with the pup.

I was actually thinking about this approach, but I was afraid that - if it were an internal injury - that I'd/we'd just hurt him more.

I guess I'll try it anyway.

Thanks! :cheers:

He's small so Bob could probably hold him down without a blanket while you look at the leg. Wait until he's laying content, then Bob goes over under the guise of petting him and gets him in the Bornemeier Death Grip while you inspect the boo boo.

I never had any luck trying to subdue animals with blankets or towels.

PM Inky.

(I'm still laaughing about that thread!)

PM Inky.

(I'm still laaughing about that thread!)While I appreciate your helpful hint......ummmmm, no.

I wouldn't call Inky on the phone to tell her that her house was burning down, much less to ask her opinion on my dog.

While I appreciate your helpful hint......ummmmm, no.

I wouldn't call Inky on the phone to tell her that her house was burning down, much less to ask her opinion on my dog.


I laughed out loud. :roflmao:

While I appreciate your helpful hint......ummmmm, no.

I wouldn't call Inky on the phone to tell her that her house was burning down, much less to ask her opinion on my dog.
But it could really liven up this weekends postings. Maybe someone will make the call for you, I'm sure Vrai has her on speed dial.

But it could really liven up this weekends postings. Maybe someone will make the call for you, I'm sure Vrai has her on speed dial.

Which one of her volatile multiple personalities do you want me to call?

The one that was actually helpful and accommodating was exercised from her body by the Holy Priest some time ago.

Tear a piece of sheet or towel to act as a muzzle. Put it in a slip knot type of loop and while he is sleeping/resting, gently pull it over his muzzle and pull tight..not too tight and make sure it's tied securely behind his neck. Keep him laying on his side, talking to him and petting him while you (or someone else) can investigate.

He could have a bite wound from an animal and you may not see this until it festers. While you have him "incapacited" you can also take his temperature..yeah in his butt... to see if there's any infection going on before you can actually see something. Normal doggie temp is 100-102.

Also, symptoms of Lyme and Ehrlichia can come on very fast and can mimic arthritis or injury.

Might be good to have a check up with his vet.

Tear a piece of sheet or towel to act as a muzzle. Put it in a slip knot type of loop and while he is sleeping/resting, gently pull it over his muzzle and pull tight..not too tight and make sure it's tied securely behind his neck. Keep him laying on his side, talking to him and petting him while you (or someone else) can investigate.

He could have a bite wound from an animal and you may not see this until it festers. While you have him "incapacited" you can also take his temperature..yeah in his butt... to see if there's any infection going on before you can actually see something. Normal doggie temp is 100-102.

Also, symptoms of Lyme and Ehrlichia can come on very fast and can mimic arthritis or injury.

Might be good to have a check up with his vet.

:huggy:... see you think of the easy things... :lol:....

I went right to old and having bone cancer :frown:.. but I always see the worst of the worst

Tear a piece of sheet or towel to act as a muzzle. Put it in a slip knot type of loop and while he is sleeping/resting, gently pull it over his muzzle and pull tight..not too tight and make sure it's tied securely behind his neck. Keep him laying on his side, talking to him and petting him while you (or someone else) can investigate.

He could have a bite wound from an animal and you may not see this until it festers. While you have him "incapacited" you can also take his temperature..yeah in his butt... to see if there's any infection going on before you can actually see something. Normal doggie temp is 100-102.

Also, symptoms of Lyme and Ehrlichia can come on very fast and can mimic arthritis or injury.

Might be good to have a check up with his vet.

:huggy:... see you think of the easy things... :lol:....

I went right to old and having bone cancer :frown:.. but I always see the worst of the worst


Thank you both for your hints. I will try the slipknot thingy when Bob comes home this evening.

This dog is a pain in the ass. Truly, as he's bitten someone there before. Most recently, he's been a pain in my hand and arm since he bit me as I was giving him a bath. He's a biter, for sure. Having said that, I love him, and hate for him to be in pain.

:huggy:

Thank you both for your hints. I will try the slipknot thingy when Bob comes home this evening.

This dog is a pain in the ass. Truly, as he's bitten someone there before. Most recently, he's been a pain in my hand and arm since he bit me as I was giving him a bath. He's a biter, for sure. Having said that, I love him, and hate for him to be in pain.

:huggy:

I know. One of the few dogs that has bitten me. :lol:

dont get bit!!!!

and make sure they use a muzzle!!!


chit.. I ALWAYS MUZZLE DOGS... I dont care if the owner is pissed about it.. or they say.. he wont bit!

my answer is .. he has teeth!

Im not taking the chance! (i even muzzle my own dogs)

:huggy:... see you think of the easy things... :lol:....

Like sitting on cats to medicate or flea treat them. :yay:

Seriously, it works.

Like sitting on cats to medicate or flea treat them. :yay:

Seriously, it works.

:confused:.. is this a trick question :lol:

if you sit on the cat long enough.. the cat dies.. and fleas will abandon ship..

(like that with any animal)


we can always tell when a pet with lots of fleas is getting ready to die...(if in bad shape) cuz the fleas will start to jump off :jameo:

This dog is a pain in the ass. Truly, as he's bitten someone there before.

Yes, and she landed in my lap with dog still attached. :lmao:

Having said that, I love him, and hate for him to be in pain.

Poor baby. I hope you find out what's wrong with him. :huggy:

dont get bit!!!!

and make sure they use a muzzle!!!


chit.. I ALWAYS MUZZLE DOGS... I dont care if the owner is pissed about it.. or they say.. he wont bit!

my answer is .. he has teeth!

Im not taking the chance! (i even muzzle my own dogs)

Or you can take a leash and slip the bottom part through the loop part (hand held part) and pull, that makes a muzzle pretty quickly and easily too!

Good luck!

OR, you could do it the really easy way and just make Bob take him/her the vet to get checked.

because:
1. If you find something, chances are you will have to take the dog to the vet
2. If you don't find anything, you'll take it to find out if you've missed something.

Send bob, save yourself the bite.

My 12 year-old doggie came in to the house yesterday with a VERY obvious limp. He doesn't yelp, or anything like that, but is it very clear that he is in pain.

He went out last night and didn't come back until this morning.....this behavior is very unlike him. I was actually fearful that he might have gone out to die, but now thinking about it, that was a pretty ridiculous thought seeing as he probably won't ever die, and certainly not now.

Anyway, when he strolled into the yard this morning, he still had the same bad limp. He is now lounging on the carpet in a sunny spot by the window. He currently seems content.

I'd like to investigate his leg and foot to see what the problem is. He has prior history of being aggressive, and I still have a scar on my hand and arm from when I tried to give him a bath last month.

Does anyone know of a way to best handle him so that I can see what is wrong with him? I am aware that his injury might be internal, but if it is something external, I'd like to see what it might be, i.e. a thorn in his side, a bb to his hip, or an infected toenail, etc.

Any suggestions? I doubt that I could gather him up to take him to the vet without him biting me.
put a duchess collar on him, it'll get between his teeth and your hand.

My 12 year-old doggie came in to the house yesterday with a VERY obvious limp. He doesn't yelp, or anything like that, but is it very clear that he is in pain.

He went out last night and didn't come back until this morning.....this behavior is very unlike him. I was actually fearful that he might have gone out to die, but now thinking about it, that was a pretty ridiculous thought seeing as he probably won't ever die, and certainly not now.

Anyway, when he strolled into the yard this morning, he still had the same bad limp. He is now lounging on the carpet in a sunny spot by the window. He currently seems content.

I'd like to investigate his leg and foot to see what the problem is. He has prior history of being aggressive, and I still have a scar on my hand and arm from when I tried to give him a bath last month.

Does anyone know of a way to best handle him so that I can see what is wrong with him? I am aware that his injury might be internal, but if it is something external, I'd like to see what it might be, i.e. a thorn in his side, a bb to his hip, or an infected toenail, etc.

Any suggestions? I doubt that I could gather him up to take him to the vet without him biting me.


If your dog has a history of being fractious, it might be well worth it to invest in a nice muzzle. I am sure the staff at Peppers Pet Pantry might be able to recommend a good one based on the size of your dog.

Like sitting on cats to medicate or flea treat them. :yay:

Seriously, it works.

I bet that ain't very pretty to see.
Poor kitty.

Is this the same dog who bit my daughter years ago?

I hope he's okay. :huggy:

If you haven't been able to check him out yet, call Animal control. Many years ago my sheepdog got his leg stuck in his crate door and was screetching and thrashing as we tried to free him, my husband was trying desperately to get him out to no avail, we finally grabbed wire cutters. In the mean time, I called animal control who showed up and assisted us, he also transported my dog to the vet in the van. My dog is not aggressive at all but in his panic, he did bite my finger. Hope it all works out for you.

So what's going on with Mr. Muttley? Were you able to check him out?

I'm curious too! What did you find? I hope that he is OK.