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My dog lifts a back leg and it twitches. What's causing this?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Jack Russell Terrier | Female | spayed | 12.5 lbs

My 8 year old jack russell's back leg sometimes 'drifts' in the air when out on walks. It's not like a limp as she doesn't hop or anything, its more like she chooses to walk on 3 legs. Then today I noticed when she was sitting, that same leg had a sort of twitch/ spasm. again not severely and almost not noticeable but it's there.for a jack russell she has never been great at jumping or climbing stairs which i've always found odd but now starting to think perhaps she's never been right?any advice

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Emily, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 3rd, 2017

What you're describing sounds like a condition called a luxating patella. This is when the knee cap slides in and out of its groove. This condition overtime can lead to arthritis and potential he predispose a dog to tearing a ligament in the knee. Your veterinarian maybe to do an orthopedic exam and tell you if this is the case.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Ann Dion, DVM
Veterinarian
Hello. I am sorry that Twiggy is having this issue. The most likely cause would be a luxating patella. This is when the knee-cap will pop in and out. This explains the on and off leg holding up. This can be corrected with surgery if it is bothering her. She could also have arthritis, or a ruptured cruciate ligament. I would recommend having her knee checked by the vet, as there are possible treatment options that would help make her more comfortable. Good luck with Twiggy.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian
Published on April 17th, 2018
Poor Siri! It sounds like she is in a great deal of pain. I would have your vet take a look at her. It could be muscle cramps but it could also be something more complicated like a broken toe, a luxating patella (knee cap), a torn ligament in the knee, arthritis, cancer, neck/back pain and much more. I would not give her any human pain meds as most are toxic to dogs. Your vet will be able to determine the cause and get her started on the proper treatment plan. I would take a video if you are able to help your vet figure out what is going on. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on June 12th, 2019
Signs like this could be caused by pain, orthopedic issues in the hip or knee, or neurological issues. Since the pain medications didn't make it better, I would recommend that Gem get rechecked by the vet. They should do a thorough orthopedic and neurologic exam of the leg, and they may recommend x-rays to look at the bones and internal structures. If they can't figure out what is causing her symptoms, they may refer her to a specialist for additional testing and a second opinion.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Related Questions

Why is my Jack Russell's back leg limping and getting worse?

The most common reason for lameness of a back leg in a small breed dog is a luxating patella - a knee cap that does not stay in place. Without examining him myself this is my best guess. I believe this would be the most likely issue and should be easy for your vet to diagnose. If it is getting worse then he probably needs surgery to correct it. The photos do not show anything outwardly abnormal. ( https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/luxating-patella-in-dogs )

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Why does my dog lift his back leg for one step then walk normally?

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My dog lifts her back leg after lying down, but isn't in pain.

She could have some arthritis in her hips, a loose knee cap, or a strain/sprain. You could have your vet examine her to determine the cause. Your vet can take an X-ray, if needed, to help diagnose and the determine the best way to treat. She may need an anti-inflammatory to treat.

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Why is my dog's back leg stiff, swollen, and held up after resting?

The most common condition causing this symptom in this breed is called patelar luxation which is basically displacement of the knee cap. you will need to get it checked by your vet to assess the severity of the condition, it might require surgery depending on the level of pain and lameness.

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Why is my dog hopping and skipping while walking? Is his knee dislocated?

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My Morkie is limping on its hind leg. What could be the problem?

Two things come to my mind when I hear about rear legs giving way suddenly. I will address both separately. 1) Luxating patellas. This is a fancy name for loose knee caps. The groove the knee cap sits in is often shallow with smaller breed dogs, especially with the Yorkie or Maltese. The knee cap can slip in and out of place on its own quite readily in some dogs. It typically is not painful but can develop arthritis with time and this causes more irritation. What typically happens is the dog goes to step on the leg, the knee cap is not in place and they cannot place weight normally. Sometimes they do not place any weight on it, almost like a little skip, or they hold the leg up. The knee cap typically goes back into place on it's own or the dog kicks backwards and this puts it back into place. The arthritis can be managed with joint supplements or anti-inflammatories but typically the knee cap problem can only be fixed surgically and is only warranted in pets with severe trouble. 2) Bone injury -- without a known trauma, such as a fall or being hit by a car, a fracture is less likely. This causes the area to weaken and can suddenly become painful. It may not break but can be difficult to walk on. If this was the case, I would expect your dog to be painful if that area of his leg is touched. If you feel up and down his leg with pressure, does he seem painful? Do you feel any areas that are swollen?

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Health & Wellness

My small dog's leg popped and she was limping. Is it a luxating patella?

Hi there. From what you describe, it certainly sounds like she may have a luxating patella. This is a common problem in toy breed dogs. I would recommend taking her to the vet for an exam to determine if this is the problem. If so, it may be able to be managed with anti-inflammatory medication if it's only causing minor, occasional problems, or surgery may be recommended if the problem is more severe.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

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