Why is my dog limping, not using her leg, and losing balance?

Poor Sadie! Hip problems can be common in large breed dogs like GSDs, and that may be causing the issue with her back leg. It could also be there is a problem with her spine leading to nerve damage to the leg. She really does have to see a vet for this problem, and I would take her into one today. Vets are trained to deal with aggressive dogs.

This presentation could be due to a neurological lesion affecting nerves innervating the legs (please tell us which leg you think is affected to have more specific answers). I would recommend a neurological examination and eventually further investigations (EMG and MRI/CT might be needed). Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

That is very unusual. Is it possible Sadie got into something like medication or some type of drug? Search her environment very well to look for any evidence. Certain types of plants can also cause these signs so check your garden for any known toxic plants. Other potential causes could be a cardiac arrhythmia that comes and goes. I’m glad she is back to normal today. Keep a very close eye on her and if she does this again, try to have her seen while she is exhibiting the clinical signs. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

It is hard to say for sure what the problem is without pictures / video and not being able to examine Mickey. The loss of balance could be contributed to something that Mickey got into (drugs, toxic chemicals, etc.) or Mickey could be experiencing vestibular disease, which can cause the loss of balance you are describing. As for the leg that appears to be pounding, I am unsure as to what the cause of that would be. Is there any sign of trauma? The leg may be painful and that may be causing Mickey to lose balance. If you are able to, I would recommend having Mickey examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made.

I am very sorry to hear that Amica is limping, I am sure it is worrying for you both. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why a dog may limp, ranging from injury, infection, osteoarthritis, disorders of the growing bones or joints, and even some cancers. Dogs can also be very good at hiding the exact location of the problem. In order to determine the precise cause of Amica's limping it would be best to take her in for an examination by a veterinarian. A veterinarian will also be able to make Amica comfortable by providing pain relief medication. The vet may also perform an orthopaedic exam and an X-ray. If Amica seems very uncomfortable or depressed, you suspect a broken bone, the limb is dangling at an unnatural angle, a limb is being dragged, severe swelling is occurring, the limb is hot, bone is piercing the skin, or nonstop bleeding is occurring, Amica needs to see a veterinarian immediately. If none of the above are occurring, and due to the high frequency of trauma cases which heal on their own, in limping dogs, as well as Amica's young age, you can try conservative management at home for 24 hours to see if Amica improves. Try the following at home; Keep Amica as comfortable as possible Strict rest with as little movement as can be managed When moving handle with care Do not give Amica any medications without a veterinarian’s approval Apply a cold compress for first 24 hours Switch to a warm compress after 24 hours If pain or limping continues after 24 hours then take Amica to see a veterinarian. I hope this was a helpful answer and more importantly that Amica feels better soon. Warmest regards and best of luck to you both.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be an indication of pain or discomfort. This could be due to a neurological issue or an orthopedic issue. Regardless, it does seem like he should see a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment. At the very least they can prescribe pain control medications if he seems unconfortable. Good luck and have a good night!

Until Sally is examined by the veterinarian, make sure her activity is severely restricted. That means no walks, running, jumping, no climbing on furniture or the bed, outside to potty on a leash only and minimize stairs. This will help to prevent further injury and possible allow minor injuries to begin healing. A joint supplement for pets and an omega 3 fatty acid supplement for pets will help to decrease inflammation though will not likely fix the problem. Just like people, she could be lame for many reasons including a bad back, a bad hip or a torn ligament in her knee. She needs an exam and likely radiographs. You may ask your vet if any type of financing is available in New Zealand. I hope this helps and best of luck.