Other Causes. If your puppy or dog has not been properly vaccinated and begins to shiver, cough, run a fever or discharge mucus from his eyes and nose he may have distemper, a virus common in puppies and adolescent dogs.
Evaluation and Treatment. Heel pain can have many causes. If your heel hurts, see your primary care doctor or orthopaedic foot and ankle specialist right away to determine why and get treatment. Tell him or her exactly where you have pain and how long you've had it. Your doctor will examine your heel, looking and feeling for signs of tenderness and swelling.
For most people, even those with arthritis or related conditions, the main medical professional they see is their primary care doctor. Most likely, he will first diagnose your condition but may refer you to a specialist for evaluation and potential diagnosis. From there, he will continue to handle most of your care.