German Shepard Limping

[ACT400]

  I have a 8 year old German Shepard that we adopted and she started limping with her front right leg.  It looks like it might be a little swollen ( at the joint above the paw), but not soar to touch.  The limping is not severe, but should I wait to see if it goes away and maybe it is just a sprang?  Is there a time frame that an owner should wait to see if it is minor before taking it to the vet?  What can I do to try to test or see what type of injury it might be with taking her to the vet and costing and arm and a leg for X-rays?
Thanks, any help and suggestions would be great.

[Ghilly]

I completely agree with Red's assessment of the situation.  Especially since there is some swelling there.  If it turns out to be a minor sprain, great!  But it's best to get it checked out now, because if there does turn out to be a mass involved, it can be removed early on to facilitate a speedy recovery or, heaven forbid, in the event it could be malignant, give the animal the best chance of being able to be cancer-free.  I know I'm really jumping the gun here, but with a senior dog, which an eight year old shepherd definitely is, you can never be too careful.

Please let us know what happens.  

Ghilly

[Red931]

You should not wait to get it checked out. When things like this happen it could be something that is much more serious than a sprain. If the dog is limping on it then there is some pain there. If there is a tumor there it is best to catch it right away so that it can be addressed.

A sprain would be a good thing in this situation.

Please take the dog in to be checked out.

Let us know how you make out.