Back Leg Weakness In Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

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Back Leg Weakness in Dogs

Back Leg Weakness in DogsWritten By Kevin HughesPublished: 07/11/2017Updated: 07/29/2024Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.What are Back Leg Weakness?“My dog can't stand up on his back legs!”For any pet parent, seeing their dog limping on its back leg or their dog’s back legs giving out can be distressing — especially if that happens suddenly and with little or no warning.While anything that involves your dog’s health is going to be a worry, don’t panic: there are many different reasons why back leg weakness can affect your pet. These reasons can vary, ranging from a temporary injury such as a sprain to a condition that’s more serious and needs attention from a veterinarian.Here, we’ll take a closer look at the reasons why a dog may start limping on its back leg or showing weakness on its back limbs. We’ll also detail some of the common symptoms of back leg weakness — and explain what your next steps are to try to resolve the problem.Youtube Play

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Symptoms of Back Leg Weakness in DogsThe symptoms of back leg weakness in dogs can be wide-ranging, from instantly obvious to more difficult to detect. If, suddenly, your dog can't stand up on his back legs or is clearly limping and in some pain, you’ll notice this straight away.However, back leg weakness in dogs can also come on gradually and subtly, making it hard to spot. Many dogs are stoic in character, and will simply get on with life despite being in discomfort. You know your own dog better than anyone else, so be watchful and observe any changes in behavior.A dog whose back legs are weak may only show a reluctance to exercise as it once used to, or a different gait when standing. Be aware, it’s not always a case of a dog’s back legs giving out completely.Typical symptoms when a dog has weak back legs include:

Lameness
Limping
Loss of balance
Instability
Wobbly or staggering when walking
Difficulty walking or standing up
Abnormal or slow gait
Reluctance to move, jump or be active
Showing signs of pain
Partial or even complete paralysis
Incontinence – or loss of ability to urinate
Swelling
Licking of joints
Weight gain
Loss of muscle mass
Lethargy
Collapse

If your pup is displaying one or more of these symptoms, it may be an indicator of your dog’s back legs not working as well as they should. Watch them closely over the next few days and if they continue to show symptoms, contact your vet. It may not be a serious issue — but there’s a chance it’s indicative of a problem that will require treatment.A comprehensive pet insurance plan puts you in the best position to help treat your dog for back leg weakness, and other injuries and illnesses. Find the best plan for your pup in seconds with the free Wag! Compare quote finder.Causes of Back Leg Weakness in DogsSo — your dog is limping on its back leg, or your dog is losing balance in its hind legs. What’s the cause? Unfortunately, there isn’t a single, simple answer to that question.A dog with weakness in its back legs could be living with any of several different conditions, so you should never diagnose issues yourself and attempt to guess that the problem is. Always consult your veterinarian.Causes of a back leg weakness in a dog can include:

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
Hip Dysplasia
Lumbosacral stenosis
Intervertebral disc disease
Arthritis
Osteosarcoma
Injury or trauma

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)Degenerative Myelopathy – DM – is a progressive, or chronic, condition that affects the spinal cord. It’s thought to be a genetic condition that affects certain breeds more than others – the German Shepherd is predisposed to DM – and usually starts as the dog ages. It progresses slowly and develops into back leg weakness; a dog with DM may start to stumble as its hind legs gradually fail. There’s no cure, though therapy and supplements can help with pain management and to maintain quality of life as much as possible.Hip DysplasiaHip Dysplasia is unfortunately common, especially in particular breeds — including Golden Retrievers, Boxers and Rottweilers. With this condition, malformation of the ball and socket in the hip joint (or both hip joints) prevents smooth movement; instead, the head of the femur grinds and rubs. This loose joint movement can cause a dog to have difficulty getting up, climbing stairs, and make its hind limbs lame. Physiotherapy and Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) can form part of a treatment plan, as can surgery. Weight management helps, too — overweight dogs are more at risk of hip dysplasia.Lumbosacral stenosisLumbosacral stenosis — or Lumbosacral disease — is a spinal condition that affects the lower spine and can present similar symptoms to hip dysplasia and arthritis. The lumbosacral junction/joint suffers degeneration, leading to compression of nerves — this results in a dog’s back legs weakness, with the hind legs becoming lame and uncoordinated. Anti-inflammatories can be prescribed as treatment, as well as reduced exercise (on leash walking) and even surgery, in some cases. It often develops in large dog breeds. Intervertebral disc diseaseKnown as IVDD, Intervertebral Disc Disease is also sometimes called Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD). This is another spinal cord condition but unlike Degenerative Myelopathy, it isn’t always gradual; it can happen quickly and especially after exercise. If you’re wondering what causes sudden hind leg weakness in dogs, IVDD — when the spinal vertebrae and spinal discs degenerate — can be one of those conditions. A dog with IVDD can suddenly collapse, or its hind legs can even be paralyzed.IVDD isn’t restricted to older dogs — it can occur in relatively young pups, from three to seven years of age. Again, particular breeds might be more prone to IVDD than others, including the Poodle, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund and Doberman Pinscher.ArthritisArthritis affects many dogs — one in five canines are thought to live with the condition — especially as they grow older (an old dog's back legs collapsing isn’t uncommon). It does still occur in younger dogs, too. Because arthritis typically affects the joints, dogs with the condition will usually experience stiffness and lameness. They may struggle to get up from a lying position or after sleeping, and show a reluctance to exercise. Arthritis can be a cause of a dog’s back legs not working. Your veterinarian should diagnose arthritis, which can’t be cured but can be managed with NSAIDS, physiotherapy and potentially a revised diet to keep weight down.OsteosarcomaOsteosarcoma is a form of cancer; a bone tumor that affects the legs and is more commonly seen in large dog breeds. It’s serious and aggressive, and appears as a swelling in a dog’s leg, so could be a reason for a dog limping on its back leg. Treatment can include chemotherapy, if started early enough, and potentially surgery.Injury or traumaIf, suddenly, your dog is limping on its back leg, it could be because of an injury or trauma rather than a longer term condition. What causes sudden hind leg weakness in dogs? Possible injuries include an achilles tendon rupture, luxating patella and an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Though many dogs won’t ‘make a fuss’, others will be in clear and obvious pain with any of these injuries. A dog certainly won’t walk normally with injuries this serious. The first step is to contact your vet immediately. Treatment almost always means surgery.Diagnosis of Back Leg Weakness in DogsIf you’ve identified any sign of back leg weakness in your dog — whether that be your dog losing balance in its hind legs or your dog limping on its back leg — don’t ignore it. A slight sprain or strain will clear up in a day or so, but if there’s no improvement, a visit to the veterinarian is required.Your vet will thoroughly check your dog over. You’ll be asked if there have been any changes in behavior, including changes to your pet’s appetite, and if your dog has been exposed to any possible toxins. You’ll also be asked how long your dog has shown symptoms, and if he or she has been involved in any potential incidents while exercising. So, be prepared to share as much information as you can.Your veterinarian will perform a physical exam to see if there are any discerning neurological or physical abnormalities that are causing your dog’s back leg weakness. These can also reveal the possible presence of an enlarged liver, a sign of diabetes, or a tumor.It’s likely that, because of some of the possible causes of a dog’s back legs not working correctly, your vet will also use X-rays, MRIs, CT scans or ultrasounds to examine bones, joints and tissues, looking for any indication of damage in the legs, spinal cord, hips and other areas.Treatment of Back Leg Weakness in DogsTreatments for a dog with back legs weakness can vary considerably, depending on the underlying cause. Any injuries will be treated in line with the severity of the trauma.Some conditions will need surgery. Others, such as Degenerative Myelopathy, Lumbosacral stenosis and Intervertebral disc disease, might need anti-inflammatory medication and managed over a period of time. In some cases, physiotherapy could be recommended, to help restore some flexibility and movement to a dog’s weak back legs.

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Recovery of Back Leg Weakness in DogsWill your dog recover from back leg weakness? If your dog’s back legs are giving out, will your pup make a full return to fitness, and walk again without any issues?That all depends on what’s causing your dog to be limping on its back leg. Many of the conditions we’ve covered — such as arthritis and hip dysplasia — can be managed with pain relief, and an appropriate diet and exercise plan. While your dog won’t make a full recovery from either of those conditions, they can be managed, giving back some quality of life.Other causes of a dog’s back legs not working might be more difficult to recover from. In the most severe of cases, intervertebral disc disease can lead to paralysis, while osteosarcoma can ultimately be fatal. Be sure to discuss all treatment options with your vet, and check in regularly during the recovery process.Wellness plans are a convenient way of managing health check-ups and staying on top of routine care for your dog. Explore plans from Wag! Wellness and build your perfect cover today. Back Leg Weakness Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionalsbully pitseven weeks

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My pet has the following symptoms:Hind LegsPuppies are 7 weeks old and were walking and very active. Approximately 3 days ago 2 of three puppies from the liter are unable to stand on their hind legs. Each favors one hind leg over the other. The mom of the liter passed away about 1 week after giving birth to 9 pups. She fell and badly injured herself beyond a vet's help to save her leg. 6 of the 9 puppies either died 1 or 2 days after she gave birth and the others were still born. The 3 remaining puppies were bottle fed up until 6 weeks of age. They were introduced to food at about 4 or 5 weeks. And up until 3 days ago all were activeFeb. 14, 2021Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM11 RecommendationsHello, they could not be getting all the nutrient that they needs. I would recommend that your puppies see your vet. You can also give them joint supplements to help . Without being able to examine them it is hard to tell you for sure what is going onFeb. 14, 2021Was this question and answer helpful?

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American BulldogFour Years

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My pet has the following symptoms:Our dog Pluto started having really bad diahrea the night before last. We though he could of ate something bad because he's always into stuff. Today he started shaking like he was cold and can barely move.Feb. 3, 2021Answered by Dr. Maureen M. DVM24 RecommendationsHi, Yes, food poisoning is common among dogs since they are natural scavengers. Some food intoxications can be life-threatening since bacteria contained in the spoilt food may release toxins causing serious complications. Please rush him to the nearest vet asap. Good luckFeb. 3, 2021Was this question and answer helpful?

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