Why can't my dog lift his back legs? He's had weakness for months.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be due to a neurologic condition such as a herniated disc. I recommend that you have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for this and treat him accordingly. Best of luck!

It sounds like what you are describing is weakness. Did your pup have a neurologic exam? What we look for is evidence of pain (although this can sometimes be inconsistent in pets), loss of sensation to the feet (does he fail to flip his foot back over when the top of his foot is placed down?), and presence or absence of reflexes. The results of these tests can help to determine if it's neurologic in origin and what portion of the spinal cord may be affected. Although, it can sometimes be hard to differentiate orthopedic from neurologic disease. Plain xrays of the spine are helpful to rule out any bony abnormalities, and sometimes we can see evidence of narrow disc spaces, but ultimately we cannot see the spinal cord, nerves leaving the spinal cord, or the soft tissues. If a neurologic problem is suspected an MRI is often needed. But, there are also some other conditions that can cause weakness that are metabolic in origin (has your guy had any senior lab work recently?) or related to loss of signaling to the muscles (for example a disease called myasthenia gravis) or related to a degenerative process such as degenerative myelopathy. If there is a component of pain detected on exam then anti-inflammatory pain medication may help. If you feel like things are getting worse it would be a good time to have a re-evaluation with your family vet. Another option as well, if a neurologic process is suspected, would be to have a consult with a veterinary neurologist. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear Mitch is having hindlimb weakness. Weakness in the hindlegs in older dogs can be due to a variety of reasons, including arthritis, back discomfort, or an underlying neurologic issue, among others. Anti-inflammatories, pain medications, and supportive care (such as hydrotherapy and acupuncture) may all be beneficial options. I would recommend discussing what the best overall treatment plan for Mitch would be with your regular veterinarian, or seek a second opinion if you want further advice. Good luck!

Hello, I'm concerned that Hercules may have injured his back or spine somehow, which could lead to him not using his back legs well. I would recommend having him seen by a vet right away so his neurologic function to his legs can be assessed. They will likely recommend x-rays to initially image his spine, and may recommend CT or MRI imaging if they are suspicious of a herniated disc. Rest, anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxers, and good pain management medications are important mainstays for healing any type of back injury. Some back injuries may require surgery if there is severe spinal damage. I hope this is helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

I'm so sorry to hear that is going on with Todd. There are a few things that can cause those clinical signs. One of the most common is a bulging disc that is pressing on his spinal cord. I have included a handout with information on that below. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=3223 There are other things that could be going on, but dogs with disc disease often improve with appropriate treatment, so it is important to have Todd evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible to start treatment. In the meantime, be sure to keep him quiet and not allow him to walk around. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that Todd will make a full recovery. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am concerned that this is likely due to a neurological abnormality such as a herniated disc which can be a surgical emergency. However, other things are possible. This does warrant a veterinary evaluation as soon as possible for further assessment and treatment. They can then recommend therapy accordingly. Best of luck!

If this just happened, then I'd be concerned about an injury to the lower spine, or hind legs. In this case it's really best to let him rest until you are able to take him to the vet for an examination (would recommend doing this in the next day or two). If this has been a problem that has been getting worse over a few months, then I would be more suspicious of arthritis. Being overweight is a big contributor to arthritis and acquiring injuries. Reducing his weight is very helpful for these conditions, but they often need prescription medication and therapy to help with the pain and inflammation. For this reason, it's still best to have him evaluated by a veterinarian. It's good that you are concerned about him getting overweight, because he does appear to be somewhat chunky. In order to get started with a weight loss plan it's good to score his current body condition. Below is a link that will help you do this. https://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/Body%20condition%20score%20chart%20dogs.pdf After that, you can use the healthy weight calculator at the following link: https://www.petcoach.co/healthy-weight-calculator/ There are some products in the pet store that are actually formulated for weight loss and these would be the best ones to feed. I know Hills, Purina and Royal Canin all have good products. The best thing to check on the bag is the AAFCO statement, which is just below the guaranteed analysis. This will tell if the food has actually demonstrated what it claims. I've included a link to an article below that explains all of this. Make sure you feed the food according to the bag's instructions and try to cut out all treats and table scraps. https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-to-look-for-when-choosing-your-pet-s-food/ The hardest thing for pet owners is that they feel like they are starving their dog. Trust me, you are not starving them, despite how bad they may make you feel. If your dog likes any vegetables like celery, carrots or green beans, then these are great, low calorie options to give as treats that can make you and your dog feel a bit better about the diet. In the end, know that a skinnier dog will be healthier and live longer, so it's well worth it. I hope that helps and you are able to get a good plan going for Polo. I've given one more link to an article with additional information below. https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-ways-to-help-your-dog-lose-weight/