![]() Take your pup to the vet to determine the cause of your dog’s weakness and follow your vet’s advice, and you will give your pup the best possible chance at recovery. Seeing your older dog’s hind legs collapse can be heart-wrenching, but there’s no reason to panic. Depending on the cause of your pup’s condition, your vet may also recommend certain supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, or prescription medication to help alleviate his symptoms. Discuss treatment options with your vet, who may recommend physical therapy, corrective surgery, orthopedic braces, or possibly a mobility aid like a wheelchair. Try not to panic if a healthy, nutritionally balanced diet and regular (vet-approved) exercise aren’t enough to improve your pup’s condition as much as you’d hoped. How can I help my old dog with weak back legs? In addition to reducing excess pressure on joints and bones, maintaining a healthy weight also reduces your dog’s risk of a variety of health problems. Improve his dietĮxcess weight can cause a multitude of health problems for any pooch, but it’s even more important for an older dog to maintain his ideal weight. Water supports your dog’s weight, allowing him to move more freely than he can on dry land. Swimming is another low-impact activity that’s especially helpful for weak hind legs. Take short walks with your pup, keeping the pace slow and relaxed, to help slowly rebuild muscle. Try gently stretching your pup’s hind legs to prevent muscle cramps and help rebuild strength and range of motion. If your fur baby is in pain, the last thing you want to do is exacerbate it with too much activity. However, we have a few suggestions if you’ve been given the green light to help strengthen your pup’s legs at home. Your vet may recommend physical therapy for your dog, depending on the cause of his issues. You should consult your vet before beginning an exercise program if your old dog’s back legs show signs of weakness. If your pup shows any of these symptoms, we recommend taking him to the vet as soon as possible for a checkup. Signs of pain, such as whimpering, limping, panting, loss of appetite, hiding, and behavioral changes.Whatever the cause of your old pooch’s hind leg collapse, early treatment usually leads to a more favorable result. Other causes of hind leg collapse include hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, shock, injury, and diabetic neuropathy caused by diabetes mellitus. Surgery is usually required to correct the condition. In some cases, it causes your dog’s back legs to collapse, but it can also cause paralysis. IVDD causes discs to herniate or shift around, applying pressure to the spinal cord. While it’s more commonly diagnosed in small breeds, IVDD can also happen in large breeds. Unlike limping and degenerative myelopathy, which are characterized by a progression of symptoms, intervertebral disc disease often causes a sudden onset of weakness and collapse. Fortunately, this neuromuscular disease is considered painless, so despite his mobility issues, your pup will continue to enjoy the same quality of life as he did prior to his diagnosis. ![]() While degenerative myelopathy-the canine equivalent of ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease-isn’t as common a cause of hind leg collapse as arthritis, it’s worth noting that DM may impact corgis, German shepherds, and golden retrievers. Osteoarthritis may be due to age-related wear and tear, but it could also stem from a prior injury or a hereditary condition, such as hip dysplasia. Cartilage erodes over time, causing pain and inflammation. Healthy joints have several layers of cartilage to help protect and lubricate joints. Here are some of the most typical reasons it may be happening to your fur baby: Osteoarthritis As frightening as it is to watch your old dog’s legs collapse, it’s relatively common in older dogs, especially large breeds. From gray hair to age-related health issues, dogs and humans have a great deal in common. Just like humans, dogs tend to slow down as they age. We’ll walk you through some of the most common reasons older dogs lose strength in their back legs and share a few ways you can help your pup cope. If you’ve stumbled upon this article, you’ve most likely been frantically searching “old dog back legs collapsing” and similar terms. Watching your dear old dog’s back legs collapse can be frightening for you and your pooch. They’ve been with us through thick and thin, and they know our deepest secrets. All dogs are wonderful companions who enrich our lives, but we’re not ashamed to admit that our oldest fur babies hold a special place in our hearts. ![]()
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