Crackling, warm to touch,swollen, inside leg muscle

[dale0224]

3 year old Great Dane favoring left hind leg.  The area of the muscle, when you rub downward feels like "foil" is in there and it is enlarging.   Area warm to touch.  Dog is favoring leg, area becoming swollen.  Dog is lethargic, however eating, urinating and deficating.  What is this and what can I do?

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

I hope you are talking about his knee or close to the knee.  If it is the knee, a meniscus or cruciate tear can produce the problem you are discussing.

If this is totally unrelated to the knee joint, than this may be serious, since crackling in a muscle could mean gangrene or a similar condition, such as a clostridium infection.

Whatever the cause it is painful and should be addressed ASAP by a veterinarian.

[ireneo]

Sounds like he has crepitus (air under the skin). Sometimes it's caused by an infection. With the swelling and fever he should be seen by a vet soon. The doctor can determine what's causing the problem (perhaps a bite or puncture?) and treat it properly.