Is your puppy standing or walking on their knuckles? This condition is aptly called knuckling and it can be a sign of various conditions. Our Oakwood vets explain what knuckling is in dogs and how it's corrected.
What Does it Mean When a Puppy or Dog is Knuckling?
Knuckling is when a dog walks on the top of its feet instead of its paws. Pups can knuckle on just one leg or all of them, and they might not do this for every step they take. Your dog could be knuckling under, on a front paw, or back paw. This condition is caused by a variety of reasons that range from minor to severe such as neurological disorders, nerve damage, and sore paws. If you notice your dog knuckling you should call your vet because the reason for it could be a serious condition that may be fatal.
When your dog knuckles their feet tuck under and drag on the ground which can cause physical injury to any part of their foot, making it important for you to contact your vet as quickly as possible if your dog is knuckling.
How Can I Tell if My Dog is Knuckling?
You can tell if your dog is knuckling by watching for an uneven gait or unsteadiness when they are walking to you and away from you. Then have your dog stand. Lift one paw up at a time and put it down with the knuckle under. If your dog doesn't correct the position of their paw and leaves their knuckle tucked under, they are probably knuckling.
If your dog is knuckling call your vet immediately to schedule an appointment so they can diagnose and treat the underlying cause.
What Causes Knuckling in Dogs?
Here is a list of some of the most common causes of knuckling in dogs:
- Sore or Injured Paws
- Intervertebral Disc Disease
- Fibrocartilaginous Embolism ( spinal stroke)
- Carpal Flexural Deformity
- Muscles, tendons, or ligaments can't support the dog's weight
Can Knuckling in Dogs be Cured or Stopped?
The cause of your dog's knuckling can affect the way this condition is treated, some may be treated with supportive care, other causes may require surgery, and some can't be treated at all and can only be managed.
If your dog is knuckling as a result of an injury or sore paw they can be helped by cleaning, bandaging, and treating the wound. However, if your dog has an injured paw you should call your vet so they can treat the wound or tell you the steps you should take.
Other causes of knuckling may require one or more of the following management or treatment methods:
- Cage Rest
- Anti-inflammatory Medications
- Laser Therapy
- Toe Grips
- Mobility Aids
- A Foot Brace (designed for knuckling dogs)
- Physical Therapy
- Surgery
If your dog is knuckling the best thing you can do is to contact your vet to have them diagnose the underlying cause and provide your pooch with the best possible treatment plan.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.