Owners often turn to the veterinary clinic, complaining that the dog's hind legs are being taken away. Each of them describes the symptoms in their own way: the pet is lame, hunches its back, drags its paws, it has paralysis.
Introduction
There is no single reason that can cause such symptoms. Canine veterinary science suggests that the first step in treatment should be a qualified diagnosis. To know how to treat, you need to know what to treat. And without a trip to the veterinarian, you can’t do it in any way.
Individual pathologies, when a dog's hind legs are taken away, include age and breed predisposition. So, pugs, poodles, English and dachshunds and Pekingese have a predisposition to the destruction or displacement of the intervertebral
Discopathy
This pathology is quite serious and can pose a threat to the life of a pet. Displaced, the disc compresses. Outwardly, this will be manifested by periodic bouts of severe pain: the pet freezes in one position (usually with a hunched back and an outstretched neck), shortness of breath appears, severe trembling, hind legs weaken and give way.
The reasons why dachshunds experience a decrease in the strength of the intervertebral disc, scientists have not yet fully identified. A genetic predisposition has been established in some lines of breeding dogs. Due to the mutual pressure of the vertebrae on each other, the gelatinous nucleus pulposus moves into the thickness of the fibrous ring and subsequently leaves its limits, falling into the paravertebral space. The fibrous ring has the lowest strength on the side of the passing spinal canal, and therefore parts of the destroyed disc are usually displaced in this direction. This causes compression of the spinal cord lying here, as well as its nerves.
If the compression of the spinal cord is not so pronounced, then clinically it will manifest itself only in this way - the dog's hind legs have failed. The pet drags them, tries to transfer the weight of the body to the forelimbs. He tries to jump onto a chair (sofa, armchair), but he does not succeed. Can't bend over to the floor, bowl. If there is a suspicion of discopathy, you need to go for a qualified diagnosis and prepare for treatment, up to surgery. Compression of the spinal cord can cause irreversible changes in the body, when therapeutic measures are already simply ineffective.
Dysplasia
Pets of giant and large breeds (Labrador, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, Great Dane, St. Bernard, German Shepherds 4-12 months old) also have their own predispositions to the disease when the dog's hind legs fail. This defeat Many things can affect the occurrence of this pathology: heredity, overweight puppy, unbalanced diet, etc.
Causes of dysplasia
There have been many scientific debates about the causality of this disease. And so far, two theories have been formed about the heredity of this pathology and the mechanism of inheritance.
Many geneticists advocate the theory of additive inheritance. That is, the disease develops due to the action of genes that are involved in the final formation of the hip joint.
The second theory is based on the premise that these same genes influence each other, and their interaction is combined in various ways. This means that the defect has a much more complex hereditary character than shown by the first theory.
There is a third theory in the world of genetics. It combines the first two. According to it, the action of the genes responsible for the creation of joints can be summed up, and individual genetic pairs affect each other in different ways.
The general conclusion of experts: the disease is a classic example of a quantitative trait, which is influenced by many genes (polygeny), and in this case, many environmental factors exert their influence on the final formation and manifestation of traits. The clinical manifestation of dysplasia, when the dog's hind legs are taken away, is not present in all animals. But this does not mean that a pet at risk is not susceptible to this pathology if there are no pronounced symptoms. When choosing a mating partner, the pedigree should be examined for the presence of ancestors with dysplasia. It should be noted that the disease can be transmitted to descendants through fourteen generations.
Swedish canine veterinary medicine has unequivocally proved that dysplasia is associated with heredity and is inherent in certain breeds. And if the breed is characterized by a powerful physique and large mass, then the probability of the disease is very high. the dog carries a huge burden. It gives the body when moving the pushing force from the hind limbs. And during this push, the joint is extended and holds the head of the femur along the entire acetabulum. Particularly great friction occurs in the joint when the animal, standing on its hind legs, jumps or walks.
If the hip joints are affected, then the weakness of the hind legs will appear immediately after a period of rest (when getting up in the morning) and decrease with physical exertion. Also, this lesion is rarely symmetrical, the dog will begin to “fall” on only one paw.
Myositis
In middle-aged dogs, after too much exercise, inflammation of the muscles - myositis - can develop the next day. Due to overstrain, tear, rupture, rupture of muscle fibers and hemorrhage into the thickness of the muscles can occur. Due to damage, traumatic edema develops, and with a significant rupture of the muscle fibers, a scar forms, and the muscle shortens. This leads to myogenic contracture of the corresponding joint. If pathogenic microflora gets into the affected muscle, purulent myositis will develop.
One of the symptoms of this disease will be "stilted gait" or weakness of the hind limbs, the dog limps on the hind leg. Treatment of dogs with such an ailment will not cause great difficulties, but only
Osteochondrosis
Another disease that can cause a pet to have problems with its hind legs. The main reason is a violation of cartilage mineralization. Typical for puppies of large breeds. Osteochondrosis is a multifactorial disease. Nutrition and genetics play key roles. The stratification of cartilage with such a pathology is more often observed in the joints subject to the greatest load (hip). The result will be the appearance of lameness, the dog is lame on the hind leg.
fractures
This pathology is often found among puppies of large breeds. And many owners cite trauma as the cause. The dog tightens its hind leg, cannot lean on it. Reacts painfully to touch. In most cases, fracture occurs with minimal impact from the outside. This type of injury is called a pathological fracture and indicates a low mineralization of the skeleton. Causes - low intake of calcium or vitamin D, high intake of phosphorus.
For recovery in this case, it is not enough to fix the fracture. The main thing is to prescribe the right diet. The best option is to use ready-made feeds that are balanced in terms of phosphorus, calcium, vitamins D and A. An excess of these substances will delay bone healing.
Old age
Does an older dog fall on its hind legs? This may be due to a malfunction of the brain. According to the observations of veterinarians, this is most often due to various vascular problems, less often - the cause is the presence of brain tumors. Proper treatment in this case can significantly improve the well-being of the pet and prolong his life for years.
What should be distinguished from
Kidney problems cannot cause a dog to lose its hind legs and develop a hunched body, unless the pet has an extreme degree of exhaustion with autointoxication. But in this case, weakness will spread to the entire muscular apparatus.
What not to do
The most common mistake owners make when detecting weakness in the hind limbs is self-treatment of dogs with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, indomethacin, aspirin, etc.). The clinical improvements observed by the owners after the use of these drugs are only temporary, but they hide the underlying disease well, which greatly complicates the correct diagnosis of the disease, due to which the dog's hind legs are taken away. Also, medical anti-inflammatory drugs carry a number of serious side effects for pets, including ulcers on the walls of the stomach and bleeding in it.
Almost every owner dreams of his puppy and adult four-legged pet being healthy and happy. And noticing that a dear barking family member begins to drag his hind legs, walk unsteadily or tremble, the owner begins to panic and does not know what to do. Do not try to diagnose your dog on your own, it is best to seek help from a veterinarian.
Of course, it is best to find out in advance what can lead to impaired motor function in a dog. Yes, this knowledge cannot protect the animal, but it can help the owner notice in time that something is wrong with the pet. And if this puppy got sick, then the timely treatment started will help make the baby's future life easier.
Causes of weakness in the hind legs in a dog
- Destruction or damage / displacement of the intervertebral discs. Most often, Pekingese, pugs, bulldogs (both French and English), dachshunds, and poodles suffer from these diseases. Damage/displacement/destruction of the intervertebral disc is dangerous for the life of the animal, as the spinal cord is compressed and injured.
- Diseases of the hip joints are most often recorded in dogs of large breeds (for example, in a Rottweiler, Alabai, Caucasian, German Shepherd and others). Moreover, a puppy often suffers (at the age of four months to a year), less often an adult animal. In addition, almost always we are talking about acquired diseases, extremely rarely the pathology is congenital.
What can contribute to damage to the hip joints in a dog? This is overweight (especially often unbalanced or excessive feeding is to blame, more precisely, obvious overfeeding, lack of physical activity), and slippery floors (when the animal's paws are constantly moving apart), and heredity, and infectious diseases, and injuries.
Yes, and too active dog training (especially if it is a puppy) will not lead to good if its musculoskeletal system has not yet fully developed. Jumping from heights, over barriers, running long distances on poor surfaces - all this will cause irreparable damage to the joints.
- Another reason for the weakness of the hind legs in a dog of any breed (be it a dachshund or a mastiff) can be myositis - inflammation of the muscle tissue. It develops after heavy physical exertion, but not immediately, but the next day. In addition, adult animals most often suffer from myositis.
- Brain damage can also affect the firmness of the animal's gait. These are tumors and vascular pathologies (which, by the way, are recorded much more often than neoplasms). Without additional examinations in a veterinary clinic, even the most experienced doctor will not make an accurate diagnosis.
- Injuries. Spinal bruises (and more serious injuries) can cause puppies and adult dogs to walk wobbly and lose their legs. Therefore, if the puppy has fallen, been hit, hit by a car, contact the clinic immediately, without waiting for the appearance of clinical signs. Sometimes the symptoms do not show up right away because of the shock.
Symptoms of weak hind legs in a dog
- If the reason that the dog (whether an adult pet or a puppy) has weak hind legs is damage to the intervertebral discs (including compression of the spinal cord), then the animal shows “bright” signs of severe pain. Therefore, the dog spends almost all the time in one position (hunched over, but stretching out his neck), because any movement causes acute pain. Trembling, shortness of breath is noticeable (it is noticeable that the pet “uses” to the full only its front paws, cannot jump onto the sofa). With mild compression of the brain, the symptoms are not so pronounced, but it is still noticeable that the four-legged friend is not able to live a full life (even bending over to the bowl is hard).
- If a puppy or an adult dog has weakness of the hind legs in the morning (or immediately after rest), and after some time after walking it disappears, then most likely the pet has problems with the hip joints. And it is not always dysplasia, as the owners think. In addition, both joints are extremely rarely affected at the same time, so the puppy limps on only one leg. As soon as you notice something like this in your pet, do not hesitate to visit the veterinarian.
- With myositis, the animal develops not just weakness of the hind legs, the dog moves, as if on stilts. If you notice that your pet's gait has changed, be sure to contact a specialist!
Treating a Dog with Weak Hind Legs
The main rule - never start the treatment of a puppy and an adult dog on your own, without consulting a veterinarian! Such self-medication can kill the animal. Especially if you decide to use "human" medicines, and even "make a diagnosis" yourself.
Therefore, if you see that your German Shepherd puppy, for example, or an Alabai, or a terrier (yes, no matter what breed) suddenly begins to “own” its hind limbs worse, then the first thing you should do is contact a veterinary clinic.
Not on forums to ask for advice on what to give the dog, not to ask the neighbors what could happen to the pet, but to run to the doctor! He will already prescribe additional examinations (ultrasound, X-ray, blood tests, and others), based on the results of which a diagnosis will already be made. And only after that treatment should be prescribed.
Medication alone is not always effective. Agree, if a puppy has a congenital pathology of the joints, then the use of drugs will only make the animal feel better, “remove” the symptoms, but the problem will not disappear. The same can be said about the displacement of the intervertebral discs, hernia. Therefore, it is better for the veterinarian to decide what to do in a given situation, but the owner is required to comply with all the recommendations of a specialist.
Some owners decide that if they gave the animal a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, then the dog recovered, because it got better. But this should not be done, because this “relief” is temporary, and very quickly everything will return to normal in a puppy or adult dog. Trust the veterinarian, who will select an effective treatment regimen that will put both the shepherd puppy and the adult Pekingese on their paws.
When a dog's hind legs fail, it becomes a real blow for the owners. Paralysis occurs suddenly, and its preliminary symptoms are so mild that they usually go unnoticed.
Complete or partial immobility of the limbs is a very dangerous condition. It is caused by many serious diseases that are poorly or not treatable at all. The sooner the owner of the pet takes action, the more likely it is that the dog will walk again.
In dogs, paresis of the hind legs (partial loss of sensation) or paralysis (complete loss of mobility) causes diseases that can develop unnoticed for a long time. Among such causes are injuries, degenerative diseases of the spine and joints, neurological pathologies.
The inability to stand up is the final symptom. It indicates the transition of the defect to the final stage of development, which is difficult to stop. Paralysis usually occurs abruptly: in the morning the dog happily ran, and after a few hours it lies down and refuses to get up.
Physical Damage
Various injuries lead to damage to the joints, bones, tendons, and nerves. Spinal injuries are especially dangerous - they change the integrity of the structure and cause swelling that puts pressure on the spinal cord and disrupts innervation.
The dog can get hurt during:
- active games;
- fights with relatives;
- car accidents - a dog can be hit by a car if it walks unattended;
- falls from a height - and the elevation does not have to be large, small breeds (toy terriers, Yorkies) are often injured by jumping off sofas, tables, chairs;
- sharp turn while running.
The most favorable outcome is if the pet simply injured its paw or its pad. In this case, he will worry, whine when he sits down, limp or drag a limb.
Discopathy
This is what is called an intervertebral hernia. This is a neurological disease.
It develops as a result of the ingress of the altered disc substance into the spinal canal, infringement of the spinal cord and spinal nerve roots.
If the hind legs fail in a dog, a hernia in the lumbar or sacral spine is suspected.
Dysplasia
Hereditary disease characteristic of large breeds. It develops due to the rapid growth of the puppy from 4 to 10 months. With pathology, thinning of the articular tissue occurs, and then - deformation of the bone structures. Most often, dysplasia affects the hip joint, which has the greatest load.
Initial symptoms are noticeable even to inexperienced owners:
- the dog begins to limp after sleeping or lying in one place for a long time;
- after a while after rest, the dog walks, and the gait becomes normal;
- during intense loads, the pet begins to wag its back;
- the pet gets tired quickly, cannot run for a long time, is wary of jumping.
Over time, destruction of the joints leads to immobility of the hind legs. It is impossible to completely cure dysplasia, you can only stop the symptoms and slow down the process.
Osteochondrosis
Severe degenerative disease associated with deformity of the vertebral cartilage.
Due to excess mineralization, it becomes harder than it should be in the norm.
Osteochondrosis of the spinal column is provoked by congenital anomalies, overweight, autoimmune processes, impaired trophism (nutrition) of tissues, and injuries. In the risk zone - small breeds of dogs, less often - medium.
Symptoms of pathology vary from the affected area. If the articular cartilage is affected, there will be:
- lameness;
- unsteady gait;
- braiding paws;
- inability to sit - the pet can expose the hind paw for support.
When osteochondrosis spreads to the intervertebral discs, the symptoms worsen:
- discomfort when moving;
- decrease or complete loss of sensation in the extremities;
- in advanced cases, it leads to the fact that the dog's hind legs are taken away.
Arthrosis and arthritis
Characterized by the destruction of joints and cartilage. Diseases differ from each other in etiology - arthritis develops against the background of inflammation.
Cause arthritis or arthrosis hypothermia, malnutrition, little or excessive exercise, injury, obesity, age-related changes.
Often, pathologies appear after long intensive walks. The dog begins to wobble backwards, falls to the ground, refuses to walk. After a while, she can get back on her feet, but this condition is a reason to sound the alarm.
Spondylosis
It develops in older dogs, when individual fragments of the spine begin to "age" and weaken.
To strengthen bone structures, the body builds up spurs - osteophytes. Formations are usually localized in the thoracic and lumbar region.
Spondylosis takes a long time, rarely causes severe pain. But sometimes it pinches the nerve roots and the dog can be completely paralyzed.
Tumors of the spine
Cysts, benign and oncological formations in the spine or nearby provoke swelling, compression of nerve endings, and cartilage deformation.
Changes appear:
- paresis or paralysis of the hind legs;
- atypical gait;
- arched back;
- inability to empty the bladder and intestines, walking under oneself.
Pain is added to these symptoms. The dog squeals when changing the position of the body, during games, sharp touches on the back.
Viral diseases
Loss of paw mobility in a dog can develop due to dangerous viruses - canine distemper or rabies. At risk are unvaccinated animals that are constantly in contact with stray dogs and wild animals - foxes, raccoons, bats.
With distemper and rabies, the pet will have a staggering, “drunk” gait. The symptom occurs in the later stages of the development of the disease, when it is almost impossible to cure the dog. Additional common signs for both diseases: vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, cough.
What causes puppies to drag their paws
In puppies, the reasons for the failure of the hind legs are:
- rickets- if the baby was taken away from the mother early or was underfed;
- congenital pathologies– defects of joints and bones, cerebral palsy;
- muscle underdevelopment- they atrophy when the puppy is kept in a cramped room, not allowing to move.
Why does a pregnant dog fall on its paws?
Pupping bitches sometimes move with difficulty or constantly squat. The behavior is explained by three factors:
- large offspring;
- the dog bears very large puppies;
- early childbirth - a pet can fall on its paws during contractions.
You don't have to worry too much. But it will not be superfluous to call a veterinarian to assess the condition of the bitch. It is desirable that the doctor was present at the birth.
If the dog's legs were taken away - what should be done and what should not be done?
No home methods will help if the dog's paws are taken away. She should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.
It is advisable to pay attention to the early symptoms of paresis - anxiety, stoop, lameness, refusal to play, rapid fatigue. The sooner the disease is diagnosed, the more successful the treatment will be.
It is not worth delaying a visit to the doctor. Even a slight limp can eventually turn into complete paralysis and the dog will have to be euthanized. It is advisable to contact a veterinarian specializing in neurological pathologies.
In case of loss of sensation of the limbs, it is strictly prohibited:
- apply cold or heat to the affected areas;
- massage the spine or paws;
- to force the dog to move - it is better to pick it up and bring it home or to the clinic in your arms.
If you suspect a spinal injury, you must ensure absolute immobility. A board is carefully placed under the pet (you can ask two other people to gently lift the dog) and tie it with bandages, ribbons or straps.
It is impossible to give painkillers - if the pain subsides, the dog will begin to move, which will lead to displacement of the vertebrae.
Features of treatment for limb failure
To identify pathology, the veterinarian conducts:
- visual examination - assessment of the general condition, checking sensitivity, reflexes and pain reactions;
- X-ray examination or MRI;
- myelography - x-ray examination with a contrast agent;
- general clinical analyzes of urine and blood.
Further treatment tactics differ significantly from the disease that caused immobility.
Treatment is usually prescribed:
- Operational. Surgical intervention is performed to eliminate the provoking factor.
- Physiotherapy. Complements surgical and medical treatment.
- Medical. Prescribe special drugs, different for each type of disease.
It can be:
- antibiotics;
- antispasmodics;
- analgesics;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- immunomodulators;
- drugs that improve nerve conduction, blood supply and regeneration.
Regardless of the type of disease and the prescribed therapy, it is necessary to draw up a special diet. All foods should be easily digestible and nutritious, contain a lot of calcium, selenium, sulfur, protein, fatty acids.
What breeds are at risk?
Some breeds have their paws taken away more often than others. This is due to strict selection, a violent change in the skeleton for the sake of working or decorative qualities.
Usually, leg failure occurs in young and adult pets at 3-8 years old, less often in puppies.
Arthrosis or spondelosis makes itself felt in old dogs - at 11 - 14 years old and older.
Subject to paralysis:
- dogs with a long body - dachshunds, bassets;
- brachycephals - pugs, bulldogs (English and French), Pekingese, Brabancons, boxers, sharpei;
- large breeds - St. Bernards, Great Danes, Shepherds, Labradors, Alabai.
Measures to prevent paresis of the hind legs
To prevent paralysis of the limbs, follow the recommendations:
- carry out once a year an x-ray examination of breeds that are at risk;
- periodically give puppies and adult dogs of large breeds chondoprotectors;
- make sure that up to 12 months dachshunds, bassets and large pets do not jump from a height;
- up to six months, all puppies are carried in their arms while descending the stairs;
- control loads - both insufficient and excessive are harmful;
- monitor the weight of the pet;
- make up a complete diet;
- avoid potentially traumatic situations;
- do not leave the dog to lie or sleep in a draft, so that it does not chill the spine.
It is impossible to completely protect the dog from the failure of the hind legs. But these measures will reduce the risk of paralysis at times.
It is important to carefully choose a puppy: during the inspection, you need to pay attention to how he moves, runs, plays.
You need to purchase a baby from a trusted breeder who will present a pedigree, passports and a medical certificate of the crumbs and his parents.
Limb paralysis is a dangerous symptom of a neurological disorder in an animal. A condition in which the dog's hind legs have been taken away is accompanied by symptoms such as weakness in the hind limbs, their dragging, the animal may feel pain during movement or at rest. How to act in this situation?
The main factors due to which a dog's legs may fail include the following:
- Trauma (for example, a broken leg, nerve damage, torn ligaments or sprains).
- Arthritis.
- The presence of neoplasms.
- Spinal pathology.
Problems with the nervous system are one of the first causes of paralysis. In this case, in the morning the animal may feel pain, and in the evening the dog begins to drag its paws and eventually they become paralyzed.
Spondylosis of some parts of the spine is another reason for this phenomenon. The disease proceeds slowly and in the first stages is not expressed in certain symptoms, later growths form on the spine, which prevent the normal movement of the animal.
In the presence of tumors in the spine, compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord occurs. As a result, the animal develops weakness in the limbs, it characteristically arches its back, and appetite disappears. The dog lets out a whimper when trying to move habitually.
Hip dysplasia is most commonly seen in heavy breeds. In this case, the dog may limp immediately after sleep, but during the day his normal activity is restored. The disease progresses, if left untreated, the pet may completely stop walking.
Spinal pathologies develop after bites and unsuccessful falls, in which the integrity of the spinal column is violated and swelling appears. As a result, the spinal cord is compressed, leading to paralysis.
The dog lost its hind legs: what to do
At the first signs of paralysis, it is important to contact a veterinarian who, through diagnosis and questioning, will find out the root cause of this phenomenon and prescribe treatment. Remember: delay in this case threatens with a complete disability of the animal! Since most of these pathologies are neurological in nature, you will need to make an appointment with a specialist.
If the dog is injured (for example, in a fall), and there is a suspicion that it is the spine that is damaged, the animal should be taken to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible. At the same time, it is imperative to ensure the immobility of the spine (for this, the dog must be fixed on a wide board with elastic bandages).
With severe pain, you should not give painkillers on your own. In this case, the animal may begin to move and the vertebrae may shift even more, so it is better to wait for a visit from a specialist.
Please note: the symptoms of paralysis often resemble signs of sciatica. As a result, an inexperienced owner, instead of providing immobilization, performs massage procedures. This worsens the situation even more, besides, time is wasted.
Features of diagnostics
The veterinary clinic conducts a comprehensive diagnosis of the condition of the pet. The doctor does the following:
- visual inspection.
- Checking the sensitivity of the affected limb.
- Checking reflex activity.
- Definition of a painful syndrome in the spine.
- Carrying out x-rays.
In some cases, myelography is prescribed: with the help of a contrast agent, even the slightest modifications of the spinal column can be seen.
Myelography of the spine in dogs To exclude concomitant pathologies in the kidneys, blood and urine tests are prescribed: laboratory tests enable the veterinarian to determine the exact disease and prescribe the course of treatment.
Features of therapy
The exact treatment depends on the cause of the disease. To eliminate spasmodic conditions, nosh-pa and other antispasmodics are prescribed. If the animal experiences pain, a course of analgesics is prescribed in the form of injections. At the same time, a neurologist can offer a course of vitamins from group B, which restore the normal functioning of nerve fibers.
In the treatment of paralysis, blockade of individual nerves with novocaine injections has a good effect. Affected muscles can warm up, massage procedures are prescribed. Please note: novocaine blockade is an intervention that is carried out only in a clinic under the supervision of an experienced neurologist veterinarian!
Prevention measures
There are animals that are at risk for such neurological disorders. These include hounds, dachshunds and other breeds with a long body. If your pet belongs to one of these breeds, it is important to carefully follow preventive measures.
- If the dog does not consume enough vitamins with food, ask a specialist to advise high-quality multivitamin preparations that strengthen the immune system and the condition of nerve fibers.
- Offer your pet only fresh food, otherwise, such a dangerous disease as botulism may occur, which leads to paw paralysis.
- At the first symptoms of immobility, do not self-medicate: timely transportation of the dog to the veterinary clinic will keep him mobile! If you can't transport your pet, try calling a clinic that has a home call service (some organizations have doctors available 24/7).
Thus, if a dog's hind legs fail during walking, physical activity, or after sleep, steps must be taken as soon as possible to determine the correct diagnosis and prescribe effective therapy.
You can also ask a question to our website staff veterinarian, who will answer them as soon as possible in the comments box below.
Different people describe the signs of the disease in different ways: a wagging gait, a dog dragging its paws, paralysis of the hind legs, lameness, a hunchback of the back, and so on. There is no single reason for the problems described. Therefore, qualified diagnosis is very important for effective treatment. In this case, you can not do without a visit to the doctor.
In this article, we will try to provide general information on the possible causes of hind limb weakness in dogs, as well as briefly outline the general principles for diagnosing the treatment of related diseases. There is a breed and age predisposition to certain pathologies.
Discopathy, disc herniation. So, Pekingese, dachshunds, French and English bulldogs, poodles and pugs are predisposed to displacement and destruction of the intervertebral discs. This pathology poses a serious danger to life and can even lead to the death of the dog. When the disc is displaced, the spinal cord is compressed.
Outwardly, this is manifested by repeated bouts of severe pain: the dog freezes in one position (usually with an extended neck and hunched back), severe trembling, shortness of breath, hind legs give way, weaken. With a less pronounced compression of the spinal cord, only weakness of the hind limbs is clinically observed - the dog, as it were, drags them, tries to transfer the body weight mainly to the front paws, cannot jump onto the sofa (chair, armchair), cannot lean towards the bowl or to the floor.
If discopathy is suspected, it is necessary to immediately carry out a qualified diagnosis and take effective measures up to surgery, since compression of the spinal cord can quickly lead to irreversible changes when any treatment is ineffective.
Dysplasia. Dogs of large and giant breeds (St. Bernard, Great Danes, Rottweiler, Newfoundland, Retrievers, German Shepherds) at the age of 4-12 months are predisposed to diseases of the hip joints. Many factors influence the occurrence of these diseases, in particular, an unbalanced diet, overweight puppy, paws sliding on the floor, heredity, and so on.
With damage to the hip joints, most often, signs of limb weakness appear after rest (in the morning, when getting up) and decrease during physical activity. In addition, the defeat of the hip joints is rarely symmetrical, and the dog first "falls" on only one paw. You can read more about the pathology of the hip joints in our article "Dysplasia ..."
Myositis. Middle-aged dogs the day after unusually hard physical activity may suffer from muscle inflammation - myositis. One of the manifestations of myositis is weakness of the hind limbs, “stilted gait”. Treatment of myositis is not a serious problem. However, only a veterinarian can distinguish myositis from a spinal cord injury.
Diseases of the vascular system. In older dogs, hind limb weakness may be of central origin, ie. associated with brain dysfunction. According to our observations, most often there are various vascular problems, less often - volumetric processes (brain tumors). In this case, competent treatment can significantly improve the condition of the dog and significantly extend its life.
Kidney disease in dogs MAY NOT cause weakness in the hind limbs and a hunched posture, unless it is an extreme degree of exhaustion and autointoxication (however, in this case, weakness extends to all muscles).
A common mistake owners make is self-treatment of the dog with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, indomethacin, diclofenac, rimadyl, etc.). Clinical improvements with the use of these drugs are only temporary and mask the manifestations of the underlying disease. In addition, medical anti-inflammatory drugs have serious side effects in dogs, including ulceration of the stomach wall and stomach bleeding.
Valgus deformity of the hind limbs, X-shaped hind limbs. Hallux valgus develops most often in rapidly growing puppies of large dog breeds. It is characterized by a significant curvature of the bones of the thigh and lower leg, as a result of which the setting of the hind limbs significantly changes.
The most likely cause by far is improper feeding. Excess protein and energy in the puppy's diet leads to accelerated growth and weight gain. In this case, the total weight of the young animal exceeds the natural resistance to stress of the developing skeletal system of the limbs.
If the animals get to the doctor in a timely manner, before the onset of severe deformities of the limbs, then a sharp restriction of the amount of protein and caloric content of the feed is sufficient. Painkillers and chondroprotectors reduce pain, but thus increase the young animal's need for movement, which leads to an increase in the biomechanical load. After the growth zones are closed, corrective operations on the bones can be performed, which significantly improve the quality of life of the animals.
Osteochondrosis. This is a complex pathology, manifested by a violation of cartilage mineralization. The disease is ubiquitous and occurs in various animal species, including dogs. In dogs, osteochondrosis is observed as a primary disease of puppies of large breeds (i.e., more than 25 kg of adult weight). Breeds at highest risk: Great Dane, Labrador, Golden Retriever, Newfoundland, Rottweiler.
Osteochondrosis is a multifactorial disease in which genetics and nutrition play significant roles. The disease affects various breeds and each of them has a specific localization of osteochondrosis. So, in Rottweilers, OCD lesions are more common in the elbow and hock joints.
In most cases, lesions are observed from different sides. If the disease affects the articular cartilage, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) may develop later. Cartilage stratification in osteochondrosis most often occurs in areas subject to the greatest load. In OCD, part of the articular cartilage begins to separate and may fragment. At the same time, inflammation of the joint is noted.
In puppies of large dogs with osteochondrosis, damage to the growth zones is also observed, which leads to curvature of the bones of the forearm, separation of the olecranon from the ulna and the supraglenoid process from the scapula. It has been scientifically proven that long-term consumption of an excess amount of a balanced diet or a diet rich in calcium (regardless of other components) can cause an increase in the frequency and severity of signs of osteochondrosis in puppies of large dog breeds.
Similar changes can be observed in puppies raised on a high calcium diet. There is an erroneous opinion that calcium is not superfluous, and the puppy will absorb as much calcium from the diet as he needs. In experiments, it was found that dogs receiving foods high in calcium absorb it significantly more.
In dogs with articular cartilage osteochondrosis without cartilage detachment, only non-specific clinical signs may be evident. In cases where the cartilage begins to flake off, osteoarthritis and inflammation of the subchondral bone may occur. The result is lameness.
Measurement of the circulating concentration of calcium and phosphorus does not allow to establish the ratio in the feed and the absorbability of these elements and cannot be used to support the diagnosis of osteochondrosis. Articular cartilage osteochondrosis does not always progress to OCD. However, in cases where the cartilage begins to exfoliate, surgical treatment is already required.
If osteochondrosis affects the growth zone of the bones of the forearm, the so-called. "Crooked Beam Syndrome". In crooked beam syndrome, severe shortening of the ulna may be irreversible, as may abnormal development of the wrist and/or separation of the olecranon.
Feeding correction in the early stages can positively influence the spontaneous disappearance of cartilage lesions. Osteochondrosis of the articular cartilage and growth plates may disappear, but dietary changes may not help in cases of OCD when cartilage detachment has occurred or when there is severe beam curvature.
In most of these cases, surgical correction is indicated. Feed correction involves reducing the intake of energy (proteins, fats, carbohydrates), calcium and vitamins to the minimum requirements of the dog. Medical treatment of osteochondrosis in dogs is ineffective.
conclusions. Not only its growth and development depend on how well a puppy eats. Puppies have good immunity and are less susceptible to diseases. Adequate supply of all nutrients and proper care: the necessary physical activity for development will help to realize the full genetic potential and lay the foundation for a long, fulfilling and healthy life for your pet. At the slightest disturbance in the development of the dog, a consultation with an orthopedic veterinarian is necessary.
Veterinarian