It’s something that many dog owners have noticed at least once.

Your dog comes inside after a game of fetch, or gets up after a long nap, and seems to be favoring a leg. Maybe they’re just a little stiff for a few steps, or you notice a slight limp during their walk.

But a few hours later – at worst, by the next day – it’s gone. They are back to running around like nothing was ever wrong.

It might be a few weeks or months before you see it again, and you might assume they just overdid it playing. But oftentimes, that occasional limp is more than simple overexertion.

Many joint problems in dogs and cats (such as elbow and hip arthritis or cruciate ligament disease) can start with intermittent discomfort. Activity may cause the joint to flare up, causing discomfort, which resolves with rest. And since the limp goes away, it is easy to dismiss – but it can be the earliest sign that there is a much bigger problem.

If you notice your dog limping every now and then – especially if it’s been more than once over a period of time – try to pay closer attention. Is it always the same leg? What activity was happening before the limping started? How long does it last? Try to take some videos for your vet, since the limping may not be apparent at the time of any exam.

Paying attention to such subtle signs can help you and your vet catch problems with your pet early on, allowing intervention before catastrophic joint damage can happen.

In this month’s Patient Spotlight, we share the story of a young dog whose occasional limp turned out to be a big early joint problem – and why catching it early mattered.