What to do when a 15 year old dog's back legs give out?
Karine Stark
2025-06-24 13:21:10
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Instead, your vet will help you keep your dog happy, comfortable, and mobile for as long as possible. It’s important to keep your dog’s muscles as strong as possible, especially their back legs. Regular light exercise, physiotherapy, and hydrotherapy may be beneficial, but it’s important to be aware that none are proven to improve symptoms of degenerative myelopathy. Always follow your vet’s advice regarding how much to exercise your dog, and never overdo it - exercise is often much harder and more tiring for a dog with degenerative myelopathy. Help getting up and down If your dog needs help getting up or lying down you may find it useful to support them with a sling, or a towel under their tummy. Non-slip flooring As your dog’s back legs become weaker, they will find it difficult to prevent themselves slipping. Wherever possible, cover slippery floors with carpet, rugs or non-slip matting.
Andreanne Hahn
2025-06-18 10:03:40
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If your dog’s back legs are collapsing, look for these additional signs that may indicate osteoarthritis: Difficulty getting up Irritability Pain when petted or touched Difficulty squatting to use the bathroom or having accidents in the house. Depending on your dog’s diagnosis, treatment options will vary. Consult first with your veterinarian to determine the appropriate course. Ortho Dog offers orthopedic braces to provide additional support for older dogs that may be experiencing collapsing in their hind legs. Ortho Dog’s Hip Hound Brace was designed specifically to help dogs with arthritis and hip dysplasia by providing support and stability that minimizes pressure on joints. With support from orthopedic braces, a healthy diet, regular exercise, as well as homeopathic support, your older dog may have many happy and healthy years ahead, free of back leg collapse. Talk to your vet and ask if a hip brace may alleviate your older dog’s hind leg weakness. Be sure your older dog gets plenty of exercise and maintains a healthy diet. Older dogs do not require as much food as younger dogs. Also, consider foods with lower fat content.
Lori Blick
2025-06-08 07:39:01
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If your dog's back legs are not working as well as they should, it could be for many reasons, including arthritis, hip dysplasia, canine degenerative myelopathy, and diabetes.
If you notice your dog's leg giving out, or any of the following behaviors in your dog, taking action promptly is important: Hind leg tremors, swaying of the hind end, trouble transitioning from lying or sitting to a standing position, difficulty walking or a complete inability to walk.
Once you have pinpointed the reason for your pet's distress and have received treatment options, there are also some non-medical actions you can take to assist in their recovery and help them regain their vitality.
It is recommended to take your furry companion for brief yet consistent walks daily, let your dog swim in a safe place, and ensure your pet enjoys a healthy diet with lean, protein-rich foods.
One way to support your pet's joint health and mobility is by giving them supplements that contain Omega-3 fatty acids.
If your dog's back legs are so weak they can no longer perform strengthening exercises, there are other options to help them feel better, you can consider using mobility aids like a wheelchair, a rear-lifting harness, or a hip brace.
These aids will give your dog a certain level of freedom and help them enjoy an active lifestyle.
Our veterinarians in Concord specialize in helping older pets maintain optimal health and quality of life, we can identify and treat emerging health problems early, and provide proactive treatment while the condition is still manageable.
Natasha Greenfelder
2025-05-29 17:34:47
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If you observe your old dog’s back legs collapsing, it’s essential to take prompt action. The first step is to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. A professional assessment is crucial to diagnose the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Maintain a healthy weight, as managing your dog’s weight can alleviate additional stress on their joints and back legs. Provide a comfortable living environment, make your home more accessible for your older dog, and provide non-slip mats, ramps, and comfortable bedding to help them move around with ease and reduce the risk of further injury. Medications and supplements, such as glucosamine and chondroitin, can also support joint health and improve mobility, depending on the diagnosis, your veterinarian may prescribe medications to manage pain or inflammation.
Regular vet check-ups are essential for early detection and management of health problems, regular exams allow your vet to monitor your dog’s condition and make necessary adjustments to their care plan. A balanced diet and regular exercise are crucial for maintaining your dog’s health, ensure your dog receives a nutritious diet appropriate for their age, and engage them in low-impact activities to keep them active without straining their joints.
Karson Hamill
2025-05-29 17:21:44
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If your pet is experiencing weakness in their hind legs, our veterinarians at Glendale can provide guidance on how to improve or maintain their leg strength. After identifying the cause of your pet's distress and receiving treatment recommendations, there are non-medical steps you can take to aid in their recovery and restore their vitality. It is recommended to take your furry companion for brief yet consistent walks on a daily basis. This will aid in gradually restoring their hind-leg muscles. Let your dog swim in a safe place. Swimming provides a low-friction way to work their muscles and benefits their overall strength. As dogs age, their metabolism slows down, and excess weight can strain weakening legs. To prevent this, ensure your pet enjoys a healthy diet with lean, protein-rich foods. One way to support your pet's joint health and mobility is by giving them supplements that contain Omega-3 fatty acids. If your dog can no longer benefit from strengthening exercises, it might be time to explore other options that can improve their comfort and overall well-being. You can consider using mobility aids like a wheelchair, rear lifting harness, or hip brace.
Marcos Boyer
2025-05-29 14:31:05
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If a dog's back legs do not work well enough to help them stand or drag at all, it is imperative that they see a veterinarian right away. The best place to figure out what is causing this change in your dog's back leg strength is at the vet. Causes of an older dogs legs giving out can range from orthopedic problems, neurological problems, muscle wasting in the back legs or even metabolic problems. One common cause that we see can be a progression of joint, muscle and bone disorders. Statistically, most senior dogs develop some amount of arthritis as they age. This discomfort causes them to move less even contributing to a decrease in muscle mass over time. The loss of muscle leads to loss of their ability to 'control' their legs and so they appear to have weakness in the hind legs and the legs fall beneath them when they are getting around. Discussing pain control and the causes of your old dog's back leg issues with your vet can be a very important part of helping your dog. You can use area rugs on a hardwood floor, or other carpeted areas they can get to as they get around. We also recommend assisting them using a towel or lifting harness to get them moving a bit before leaving them standing alone.
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