white toe nails

[tspano43]

Bear has been limping for about a two months getting worse.  I felt his hip, no problem around his leg, no problem.  when I felt around his tos he seems to try to stop me he puts his teeth around my hand.  So I know he is not happy with his toes.  I noticed his toe nails were black with white tips now, they used to be all black.  He doesn't run much now, he used to love running.  He gets tiried fast, rests alot,  He is definetly down, sluggish, slow.  
I was thinking that when I cut his toe nails I did them to  short?????  None of his nails bled, I am just thinkin that could be it.   I am no happy for him.... Please advise.

[Cliff Redford, DVM]

It likely is not his toes or paw but I am concerned with his stifle (knee). 85% of all dogs who enter a vet's office with hind leg lameness have injured their cruciate ligament (ACL). This ligament stabilizes the knee and infortunately like the human shoulder; it was not designed by Mother Nature very well. A diagnosis of a cruciate tear will involve a very detailed physical exam and some radiographs. Any other chronic lameness concern needs to be assessed the same way anyways so I am confident your vet will discover the problem. Depending upion the severity of the injury, treatment may involve rest, anti-inflammatories, and physio, or if severe then surgery will be needed.
Regarding his "down, sluggish, slow" attitude, this may be an indication that he is pain or quite possibly it is unrelated. I dont mean to be presumptive but many dog's with a torn ACL also have a low thyroid conditon so the veterinarian wil want to assess that too.

[tspano43]

Thank You soooo much.  Bear is much better.  He ran alot that day.  I will make sure he rests and take him to the vet.  He is pretty purky to day.
Thank you so so much.