My dog can't stand up and won't use his back leg. What should I do?

A typical scenario is that the dog runs around happily and then yelps and does not put weight on one of the hind legs. This is very typical for a cruciate ligament rupture or partial rupture. He could also have a sprain or pulled a muscle. Your vet should be able to diagnose this easily and then discuss the options of cruciate ligament repair with you if indicated. Her is some information on CCL rupture: https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/cranial-cruciate-ligament-disease Keep him quiet until tomorrow, he needs to rest. Leash walk him only for elimination or carry him out. Tomorrow, when you go to the vet, carry him to the car and also carry him from the car to the vet. That should help.

There is a possibility that your dog tore a cruciate ligament in his knee. I would make him rest, ie only leash walk him to do his business outside, and otherwise not let him run or jump around. If the lameness is not gone tomorrow or significantly better, then I suggest you make an appointment with your vet for an exam. Your dog will need anti-inflammatory medication to reduce inflammation and pain.

He could have a torn the ligament in his knee, have back pain, or an arthritis flare up causing these symptoms assuming you didn’t see him get injured. I’m glad you’re taking him in soon. They will feel his hips, back and legs and may recommend x-rays. They will most likely put him on pain medication since he's probably not getting up due to discomfort. Many orthopedic problems can be managed with medications so hopefully with treatment he’ll recover quickly. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care Cooper.

Try restricting Bruno's activity for 24 hours. Leash walk him for elimination and avoid any running, jumping or rough play. If the lameness persists, have him seen by your veterinarian for a complete physical and orthopedic exam. Bruno may have injured his hip or knee. Xrays will likely be indicated to diagnose or confirm joint disease or ligament damage.

I am so sorry that Milo is not doing well. I would be concerned that the hopping on both back feet could be an issue with his lower back. He should get checked out by his vet again. This could be a neurologic issue (which could be caused by a herniated disc) or could be caused by severe pain in the hips, which could be arthritis. NSAIDS could help with inflammation and arthritis, and Milo may need additional pain medications.

Best case scenario, Tizer has a soft tissue injury/muscle sprain for which activity restriction for a week and a dog safe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory such as Rimadyl (carprofen) usually resolves the issue. As a side note, never give a dog Tylenol (acetominophin) or Advil (ibuprofen) because they are toxic to dogs. A far worse scenario, and these usually present as non-weight bearing lameness in a hind leg, Tizer tore or partially tore a crucial ligament (a sedated exam +/- x-rays are usually required to diagnose this. Other less likely possibilities include a bulging intervertebral disc or bone fracture. If he’s still eating, drinking normally, able to pee and poop normally, able to walk without limping and only seems painful when when he gets up, you can either wait until tomorrow or go today and get him pain meds sooner. Good luck!

Dogs limp for the same reason we do, because it hurts to use it. If this continues more than a few days then I would highly encourage you to have him evaluated by your veterinarian. The most common injury to the hind leg in larger dogs is an ACL injury, but of course there are many other possibilities. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.