He’d had surgery to remove the discs and was recovering well. Thankfully, when you visit a vet, they will tell you how to deal with it. Hi, My Chi is 8 years old and he couldn't use his legs. Even if you are a busy owner, keeping an eye onto your treasure will save you pain and bucks. Murphy’s story was remarkable in how simple it was: Murphy didn’t seem to be in pain, but the dog’s back legs couldn’t support his weight. However, it is not impossible. A condition known as degenerative myelopathy, a slow, progressive disorder that affects the spine in older dogs, also causes weakness and paralysis. He is losing weight and having bowel movements inside in the house. 14-Year-Old Labrador. He had been fine the previous day but woken that morning with a weak back end. Legs giving out randomly underneath you as you walk or run is cause for immediate medical concern. This is where a small piece of cartilage enters the bloodstream and blocks the blood supply to the spine, causing swelling. Degenerative Myelopathy. With such an abnormality, the movement of the Lab is irregular and can make the femur move out of place.eval(ez_write_tag([[468,60],'dogswhisperer_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',106,'0','0'])); Once you spot this, it is important to take the dog to the vet. Common treatment procedures include acupuncture, hydrotherapy, painkillers, and anti-inflammatory drugs. For Murphy, mine went something like this: Disc disease is a frequent cause of a dog’s back legs suddenly not working. But if your legs give way and you lose complete control or feeling, the spinal n… When your pooch grows older, some of the symptoms become normal. In the advent of this, a piece of fibrous cartilage enters and blocks the vertebral blood vessel. I love him more than life it’s self. This is heartbreaking for owners and poses a dilemma, because the dog is often otherwise well in himself, and not necessarily in pain. And seems to walk to the left. Offer lots of affection and encouragement. Prompt action meant the damage to his nerves was limited, and — fingers crossed — he should make a good recovery. Vet spent a lot of time feeling spinal area and lot of time testing her back legs in various positions. Your pooch will be under pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs to aid his recovery. You need to take it slow with your dog during the times they are unwell. You will spot it having difficulty in walking, let alone jumping. Larger breeds like Labrador retrievers are susceptible to tumors. It is highly unlikely for a Labrador to live until this age. eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'dogswhisperer_com-box-4','ezslot_5',108,'0','0'])); Although hard to detect, your vet will need a lot of your dog history to diagnose it. When A Labrador Loses Control Of His Back Legs A common end of life problem for very old dogs is a loss of control over their back legs. The number one reason that felines pass away is from kidney failure and it is very common, even in younger cats, but a 16 year old cat is even more likely to develop this. The bad news is, it is also a hot topic in many doggy forums too. As he bravely tried to stand, he kept collapsing, although his tail was still wagging. The dog’s caretakers didn’t hesitate and straight away gave consent to refer him. My labrador is about 13 years old. Here’s what to expect when you see the vet — plus some possible reasons for a dog’s back legs suddenly not working. Its causes are various, but it is almost always related to a nerve issue and should be treated right away. You can check the ultimate weight loss guide for your dog here. I have been reading through this forum and on line - and think it may be either arthritis or something called spondylosis. My cat is not even a year old & today her legs suddenly started giving out. Legs can give way due to muscle issues, especially while exercising. Sudden Onset Back Leg Problems in Cats. That’s a question I had to answer recently for the anxious parents of a middle-aged Labrador Retreiver. Our 13 year old black lab has gone lame in his hind legs are I'm trying to find out if we are missing something or if anything can be done for him. Believe it or not, your Labrador retriever can have an injury that could take you weeks to figure out. we noticed that as he was running after this his back legs would go from under him. Weak, shaking back legs that suddenly give out on a dog can be a symptom of a number of problems. We have taken him to the vet & he gave him metacam, but it seems to give him gut ache as he whinges all the time after he has had it, stopped it & he whinges much less. One alternative I did with my yellow lab was acupuncture and chinese herbs and I actually got 5 1/2 more beautiful years with her. Weakness in your leg(s) may occur from problems in the nerves and/or muscles in your lower body and is usually treatable. Finally, an overweight lab will need a weight loss program to help it shed some excess weight weighing it down. The movements may be small or massive. There’s a lot you can do to help your dog maintain quality of life. Her hind legs were failing more frequently. To accurately understand a dog's body language, you... My name is Dennis, and I am mad about dogs (the good mad). Often, it does not demand the use of pain killers in treatment. The most common cause of a dog's back legs giving out is a herniated or ruptured intervertebral disc, according to the College of Veterinary Medicine at University of Missouri. Typical Lab! The puzzling thing was Murphy didn’t seem in pain, since normally this is a bloodcurdling, painful condition. This often painless disease is genetic and leads to your Lab’s hind leg weakness. This is an inflammation of the spinal cord. Such injuries can lead to bone fractures to the legs. Often, some of these issues are progressive. Acute collapse in dogs is a sudden loss of strength, that causes them to fall and be unable to rise. Read more about labradors on our blog. He had lost a lot of weight and the vet said that was good---less weight for his weak legs to hold. My 13 year old lab's (well, 13 in September) hind legs have been giving out the last two days. Their limbs will not work as they once did, and they will have weakened bladder control. His hind legs started to become weak about a year ago. Medically reviewed by Dr. Jules Benson, BVSc. This is because the nerves linking the spinal cord and the legs do not receive signals telling them what to do and, as a … However, these shakes are localized to his or her back legs. When faced with a problem, the vet draws up mental list of the likely problems (in vet-speak, this is a list of “differential diagnoses”). Signs of weakness in your dog’s back legs may come on suddenly or develop slowly over a long period of time, depending on the reason for the weakness. There is no way of treating this as you should let your dog get through it over time. ? If not treated, the dog will continue being active and strain the legs. Next on the list was to check more nerve reflexes to confirm this as a neurological problem and pinpoint the location. He is a big lab / ret. Fluid and electrolyte therapy will keep the dog hydrated. Surgery is the best way to treat this disease. Her back legs sometimes do a slower pace than her front legs, resulting in a strut, goosestep or even "skip" as she goes along. It eventually leads for loss of bladder control and paralysis and at this … In some cases, you will realize it may even forget all the training you did. The tumor can be in any place of the dog’s body. See. When dogs become weak in their back legs gradually over time it’s mostly linked to genetics and this usually happens in older dogs. Shaking of the back legs in your dog is relatively straightforward. Indeed, this condition is a “Labrador thing,” with the breed being especially at risk. I'm heart broken. Hi all, I have a 13 year old border collie who in most ways is still fighting fit apart from however her back legs give way occasionally. Running normally and going on regular walks, she was fine. Injuries are treated in correlation with their intensity. When in excess, the Cushing’s disease emerges. I put our 13 year old chocolate lab Millie down October 15. Murphy had not 1 but 2 slipped discs. The vet checked her out for pain, displasia of the hips, etc. Hard as it seems, euthanasia is an option that should be at the back of your head. You will notice these symptoms immediately while some occur over some time. It’s similar to a person fainting or passing out and may begin with weakness, staggering, disorientation or vomiting or diarrhoea. When the injury is severe, it may need your vet to recommend surgery as a way of correction. A sudden-onset back leg problem happens out of the blue, and without prior warning. For older and middle-aged Labs, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is common. He had a paralysis that effected his hind legs and he would just drag is back legs. He's a yellow Labrador Retriever and he's 13 years old...not THAT old for his breed. Part of having a Lab in your family is to become accustomed to having a high energy dog that plays and exercises a lot. Murphy is your typical, eager 6-year-old Lab. eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'dogswhisperer_com-banner-1','ezslot_1',109,'0','0'])); What to Get your Greyhound for the Holidays. The dog is usually unwell and possibly feverish, none of which applied to Murphy, who was happily begging for treats. Avulsions are another trauma cause by tending to occur in parts of the leg below the knee. The most common diseases I see as a vet that cause an older dog’s back legs to collapse or hind leg weakness at any age are: Osteoarthritis. My dog's collapsed, what could be wrong? Check Now: Blue Buffalo • Science Diet • Purina • Wellness • 4health • Canine Carry Outs • Friskies • Taste of the Wild • See 200+ more brands…. He’s a happy soul whose tail is always wagging. but found nothing. Also, be sure to read our blog on what to feed your Labrador. This supports the legs and body. Be sure to notice your trained Labrador forget its training as this is the number one symptom. I have a 9 week old yellow labrador retriever and when I got her she was perfectly fine. Happily, FCE carries a good prognosis. However, this lively ball-chasing dog had woken up that morning unable walk. We attributed it to age. If the lineage of the breed had other member dogs with diabetes, you could expect your puppies to have it. He had lost a lot of weight and the vet said that was good---less weight for his weak legs to hold. A couple of phone calls later, and I had a veterinary neurological specialist on the phone. My labrador is about 13 years old. Possibly the slow movement is due to loss of feeling. The more a tumor grows, the more it exposes the Lab to such. I was scared. It involves a partial or complete tear in the knee ligament. Please help me. Took her to the vet for her first visit since i've gotten her and the vet said she's healthy but recommends me to give my puppy some pup vitamins. Some back leg problems in cats come on rapidly, rather than gradually. Taken him to the vets on numerous occaisions diagnosed arthritis. Their cheerful nature will ensure they are always on their feet. It can be genetic, to mean you need to know the history of the Lab. Believe it or not, your Labrador retriever can have an injury that could take you weeks to figure out. He started out as just walking stiff on his hind legs about 8 months ago. You should take her urgently to the vet, she will need t get xrayed. Again, slightly puzzling was that both Murphy’s back legs were affected — usually, this is a one-sided problem, with one good leg and one bad leg. Recently he has been stumbling around and losing his balance, especially on the stairs. With recovery and therapy, you may get your dog back physically and socially. Sometime's he would hesitate before going up the stairs or jumping onto the bed. One minute the cat is fine, and the next, it’s struggling to walk. If not treated, the dog will continue being active and strain the legs. It is alarming to suddenly have your legs give out as you take a step. Alsoif there is pain re back legs is more a stiffness, if it is there (could be me imagining it). They will likely not be … My vet was closed and I had taken him to another vet. They also are very likely to become overweight, which can blur your judgment. Many times, the dog’s back legs are unable to carry its weight longer. She tries to walk and her back legs just slide backwards. He still eats and walks everyday. He’s a happy soul whose tail is always wagging. Often, there are other signs that can help lead to a diagnosis, so take note of any physical or behavioral changes that occur. In 3 weeks, your pooch could recover. A dog suffering from arthritis has weaker legs because it makes them too weak to use. Hmmm, Murphy didn’t fit neatly into any of these options. To do this, I had Murphy lie on his side and tested one back leg at a time in this way: Which brings us back to the big question: Why were his back legs weak? With no history of trauma, broken bones seemed unlikely in Murphy’s case. Guess what? It involves blood glucose monitoring, daily insulin injections, special diets, and exercise plans.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'dogswhisperer_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_12',107,'0','0'])); When your Lab eats dead animals or contaminated raw meat, they can contract botulism. The symptoms of FCE come on suddenly, and the dogs aren’t in pain. You may have heard this term from old people’s support groups. What test would most likely to give us the answer when presented with a dog whose back legs are weak? He is having a hard time going down stairs. Younger dogs are at a higher risk of this and toe fractures. It wasn't bad. The dog doesn’t know the paw is upside down (the placement nerves aren’t working); OR, He knows it’s upside down but the leg doesn’t get the nerve message to flip it over (the do-something-about-it nerves aren’t working); OR. Some of the causes are:eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'dogswhisperer_com-box-3','ezslot_0',105,'0','0'])); Labrador retrievers are very playful. Hop on and let's talk dogs today! I scour the Internet daily, visit vets and fellow dog owners to make you the finest dog resource on the Internet. A tumor was certainly a possibility, but the signs should have come on more slowly. Your dog’s blood glucose level is a possible reason why its hind legs are not functioning as normal. Our 15 year old lab has slowed down in the last few months. In this article, you learn why your Lab’s legs are giving out what to look out or and possible treatment options. His muscles are too weak to respond to the nerve messages. Canine Degenerative Myelopathy, also referred to as DM, is the most common reason why older dogs develop progressive weakness in their back legs. The back legs weakness due to a tumor happens over a long period of time. This may make your Lab’s behind legs give out over time. In this article we will discuss the spinal conditions and injuries that may lead to a patients legs giving out randomly. ... appeared at the back four just staring out and giving me her characteristic wheezing that she wanted out. Finally, understand that there comes a time when you have to choose between your dog’s pains over their quality of life. My dog is 12 years old & his back legs are giving out. When the dog isn’t aware the paw is upside down, the vet concludes: Given that Murphy had good muscle tone, it looked like his problems were neurological. Straining it with exercise will do more harm than good. I discussed this with Murphy’s people, and quite rightly, they preferred to get Murphy seen by the specialist, just in case something else was going on. This disease affects puppies and older dogs, causing them pain from time to time. You should also clean the wounds well. A 14-year-old Lab will likely experience significant symptoms of aging. It wasn't bad. Thirty minutes later, in the waiting room, Murphy was unable to stand and had to be carried into the exam room. The back legs on your dog may become unstable and weak, if there is any damage, inflammation or bruising to the spinal cord or the back. He was optimistic that Murphy’s problem was a fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE). My almost 10 year old bull mastiffs front legs are giving out and his back legs seem to slip when he walks occasionally. With great nursing care, many dogs go on to make a full recovery. This meant referring Murphy to a specialist center for a state-of-the-art scan. But Murphy had nice pink gums and no signs of internal bleeding. This is called the “placing reflex” and tests the nerves going from his paw up into the spinal cord and brain stem. He has a large growth on his side that has tripled in size in the last six months. Avulsions are another trauma cause by tending to occur in parts of the leg below the knee. Please be honest, what’s everyone’s experience? However, you might be surprised to learn that many adults experience sudden leg Summit Orthopedics pain interventionalist Dr. Choi explains that legs give out for a variety of reasons ranging from temporary fatigue to more serious conditions requiring medical evaluation and treatment. There are many reasons why a cat’s back legs might suddenly stop working. Your vet will recommend surgery in severe cases. Not all days are joy-filled when with your Lab. You will also have to keep the seizures that come with this disease at bay using medication. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. His back end will give out occasionally as well. We have never had trouble with that before. Hind leg weakness in senior or old dogs. His hind legs keep folding from under him, and he doesn't eat unless we sit next to him. You will observe your dog, and seemingly out of nowhere, the shakes start. Dogs may not be able to talk, but they can still communicate their emotions through a wide range of actions and expressions using their bodies. He was standing like a German Shephard. It causes a ‘stroke’ to your dog where you find your dog yelping then suddenly paralyzed in the legs. He was standing like a German Shephard. Be sure to make the sleeping area extra cozy with some cushions. You will find your Lab even jumping on things or people without tiring. Diabetes needs a management plan for life. About 2 days later, I got a preliminary report back from the specialist. The whole knee gets replacing, and the joint mended. He is a big lab / ret. The hip ball and socket joint of dogs with hip dysplasia are not formed normally. If your dog’s back legs are weak, please see your veterinarian to learn the cause. Most dogs will slow down or stop when they are tired and will have no problems, but some revel so much in activity that they will exercise until they become weak and collapse from exhaustion. His hind legs started to become weak about a year ago. A sick dog does not need punishment or training. Correcting this is possible with surgery. What can make a dog’s back legs weak, or cause a dog’s back legs to give out? Always ensure you check out your dog’s well being from time to time. Then started having problems going up stairs. Remember, labs are a breed that is susceptible to joint diseases as they grow older. If your dog has back leg weakness accompanied by hair loss, a pot-bellied appearance, and increased appetite and thirst, you can suspect Cushing's disease; visit your veterinarian for tests. When their kidneys go out, they become very weak in the back legs, and generally weak all over, thus urinating and sleeping in it is a common thing I have seen. Unfortunately 2yrs ago he showed signs of Arthritis in his back legs. Some of the tell-tale signs that your pooch is having a problem with their back legs include: Even with medication or surgery, offering support aids in healing. The past year hasn't been great for just about everyone, except your dog. https://www.petful.com/pet-health/hind-leg-weakness-in-dogs She was having alot of issues with 2 cruciate ligament surgerys on both back legs She had them done in 1996 and 1998. Dear Dr Barchas, I have an 8 month old Labrador/Dalmatian cross and two weeks ago he fell off a wall. However, there was still a faint possibility of disc disease that couldn’t be ruled out without an MRI scan. Both will give a great picture of not only the bone but also the nerves. Even so, it’s important to check for fractures and dislocations, but there were none, and neither did Murphy have painful joints. A feeling of sudden leg weakness, causing your legs to give out or buckle can be alarming. Seemed healthy to me. You will need some slings to assist your dog in walking and support its weight. I'm heart broken. If you have questions or concerns, call your vet, who is best equipped to ensure the health and well-being of your pet. Are your dog’s back legs weak? Rarely, the underlying cause may be a serious medical condition requiring immediate medical attention. Your affected dog can exhibit physical and behavioral changes. link to What to Get your Greyhound for the Holidays, link to How to read your Dog's Body Language. They are thus exposed to many injuries. You can treat this killer disease by offering a whole circle of supportive care. Things don’t always go the way the signs suggest, and confirming (or ruling out) a hunch is the best policy where feasible. Splints and braces are also used to support the dog in walking. This is usually linked to trauma (which didn’t apply to Murphy) or problems with blood clotting. Such injuries can lead to bone fractures to the legs. Depending on the intensity, the dog can recover or get worse as days go by. Our recently adopted/rescued @8 year-old toy poodle started walking strangely this past week. His lumbar spine region feels as though it is protruding and was very warm to the touch last night. Their back legs giving out can be a reason for great sadness. Arthritis affects older labs and is coupled with degenerative joint disease. With his person supporting him in a standing position, I examined the poor dog. Don’t fret yet. Can ANYTHING be done to slow the process or heal his legs entirely or at least help him walk better? She had no control over it. Your Lab’s cortisol levels help to adjust its weight, manage stress, and blood sugar levels. I have always owned two or more dogs since I was a teen, and I started this website to share my experiences with you. Keep that tail wagging, Murphy, and next time, how about something straightforward, like a snagged claw? A basic test flipping Murphy’s back paw upside down showed it stayed that way. Signs of back leg weakness can include: Lameness; Lack of coordination A blood clot can damage the spinal cord. Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) Lumbosacral Disease. Murphy’s concerned humans phoned in saying he was struggling to walk but weren’t sure which leg he was limping on. I have a nearly 14yr old black labrador,named Zeus,he is my best +loyal companion you could ever want.
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