Husky Yelped on a Walk and Is Tender Near the Groin
by Kirsten
(Boulder Junction, WI)
Reader Question
My dog is a 5 year old Siberian Husky, named "Buckwheat" in good condition. She has lived on 20 acres without being restrained and able to run. 10 months ago, we sold the 20 acre homestead and Buckwheat has been on a leash. She is walked 3 times per day with little running and has not been able to go into a "full run" for 10 months. I had noticed, in the past couple of months, that she has been slow in getting up and reluctant to jump up on our bed. I had thought possibly her hip joints were stiff from not being free to run. Then during a walk a couple of weeks ago, Buckwheat squeeled, then sat down and stared at me. I thought she stepped on something and checked for blood, there was none. She then walked back to the car on three legs. I can rub the lateral side of her leg (rear left), massage her foot...but there is a tender spot in the medial upper section near the groin area. When that area is touched, even very lightly, she squeels. As mentioned, it has been two weeks and it appeared as if she was getting better....putting more weight on the leg while walking and beginning to stretch the leg while putting weight on it. We just were going out for another walk, she turned and sqeeled for nearly 2 minutes. Obviously her movement caused the pain. Will this heal over time?
Answer from Our Team
A sudden yelp followed by walking on three legs could be a knee problem such as a cruciate ligament tear, or a muscle strain in the inner thigh or groin. The earlier slowness getting up and reluctance to jump could fit a cruciate ligament that had been weakening for a while, which is common.
Your vet can check the knee with the drawer and tibial thrust tests, sometimes under light sedation, and feel the groin muscles and hip. A muscle strain often heals with a few weeks of rest, but a cruciate tear won't heal on its own, and a new episode after two weeks means it's time for an exam rather than waiting. Keep her on short leash walks and stop jumping until she's been examined.
See dog knee problems and torn ACL in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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