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By Liz O'Connell
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When a dog started limping after nearly a week of tummy trouble, her family braced for the worst, but an expensive vet visit offered an unexpected—and oddly reassuring—diagnosis.
The family's 2-year-old cockapoo, Betsy—a crossbreed between a cocker spaniel and a poodle—had been battling an upset stomach for almost a week. During that time, she underwent multiple tests, including bloodwork, swabs and parasite screenings, all of which came back negative, owner Emma Fitzgerald told Newsweek via email.
While a clean bill of health should have brought relief, the situation quickly took another worrying turn when Betsy began limping as soon as they returned home. Fitzgerald said she called the vet immediately, who advised the family to monitor her. To be safe, they began carrying Betsy everywhere—lifting her on and off the sofa and in and out of bed—afraid that movement might make things worse.
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"By day three, I was so stressed and literally thought she was dying or could have some sort of tumor pressing on her spine, causing the limp," she said.
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Veterinary guidance generally advises owners to take limping seriously, as it can stem from injury or illness. An article from the VCA Animal Hospitals notes that dogs may limp for reasons ranging from soft-tissue strain to orthopedic disease. Veterinarians typically evaluate a limp by taking a detailed history and performing a physical, orthopedic and neurologic exam, with further testing such as X‑rays or bloodwork sometimes recommended if the cause is unclear or the symptoms persist.
In Betsy's case, however, another trip to the vet revealed the opposite after spending "a couple hundred pounds." In a February 7 Instagram video shared under the handle @thismumemma, Fitzgerald explained that Betsy had what the vet described as a "sympathy limp," a behavior that can appear after a dog has been unwell. She essentially felt sorry for herself after recovering from a gastrointestinal bug.
Vets caution against assuming dogs intentionally fake injuries, but note that some may continue or exaggerate limping behaviors after feeling better. This is considered a learned response rather than deception, with some dogs associating limping with extra attention, comfort or rest from their owners, an article from Dogster states.
Still, limping should never be dismissed outright. VCA advises that any new or unexplained limping—particularly when it appears suddenly or alongside other symptoms—should be monitored closely and evaluated by a veterinarian if it persists or worsens. Owners wishing to keep their dogs comfortable during recovery, fake or not, opt for supportive dog orthopedic beds to encourage rest.
Viewers Say Betsy Isn't Alone
Turning to Instagram, Fitzgerald summed up her disbelief in the caption, asking: "Who even knew this was a thing?" The video had since racked up more than 167,000 views, with many people chiming in to share similar experiences.
"Try throwing some treats on the floor if they're not hurt for real, they most often forget to limp when they hurry to the goodies," said one user.
Another shared owner story: "My dog Meg did this a few weeks ago on her front paw. It's an excellent way to get extra cuddles and fuss."
Several simply expressed relief at the outcome: "Oh no, Betsy lol I’ve not heard of this, bless her. Glad she’s ok."
“I’d never heard of it before,” she later told Newsweek. “It was wild! Betsy is totally fine now and back to her happy, cheeky self!"
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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