My 3-year-old pit mix struggles to walk and yelps when touched.

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!

I'm sorry to hear you puppy is having trouble. I would suspect he has shoulder, elbow, or even neck pain from your description of him yelping after picking up near his shoulders. Puppies this young can have some congenital deformity that result in instability and pain, panosteitis (bone inflammation), growth plate problems, or could have potentially had a soft tissue injury or bone displacement (luxation) in that area. I would recommend you take him to your vet for an evaluation, possible x-rays, and to get anti-inflammatory pain medication for him.

This is most likely from a bulging intervertebral disc pressing on the nerves to his legs. I recommend a veterinary exam and spinal X-ray to be sure. Then as long as he’s walking I recommend pain medication, muscle relaxers and I treat these dogs with laser and acupuncture. He needs to rest, no running or jumping and short slow leash walks for three weeks. Usually this will improve with treatment in three to four weeks. He also could rupture the intervertebral disc and become paralyzed. That is a medical emergency and he may need surgery by a specialist so he could walk again. Please take him in soon and get treatment. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Armor.

Have Hopper examined by your veterinarian. Spinal x-rays may reveal arthritic changes that could cause low back pain and home end weakness. Pain management, physical therapy, swim therapy and/or cold laser therapy may all be options depending on the diagnosis.

Hi, he might be experiencing an herniated disc. You would not necessarily see it on xrays. I would recommend to monitor urination and defecation and consider what’s the best way forward considering age, prognosis and welfare. Your vet should be able to advise you considering these three factors. Sending you positive thoughts.

That is may be due to arthrosis/arthritis and should be ideally confirmed with a check up at your local veterinarian. Physiotherapy with passive range of motion movement is possibly the only thing you can do back home especially in the morning or after long period of sleep.This video will show you how to do it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dcYVODa2RQ 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.

This is most suggestive of lower spine injury. This is not uncommon in older dogs, where the vertebral canal, or intervertebral disks can pinch the nerve. Treatment is possible depending on the cause of this, so I recommend taking Bandit to the vet for an evaluation. They should be able to identify the cause of this and at-least get him started on medication to relieve pain and hopefully the mobility and incontinence issues. I hope that helps and all is well with Bandit.