Why is my dog struggling to walk, but improved after mating?

No, it's not the usual behavior after mating. I'm concerned that he has some underlying hip or back problem that has been aggravated from the exercise breeding the female dog. Let him rest for a few days and if he hasn't improved I recommend a veterinary exam and X-rays of his hips and spine. I suspect he has some arthritis and this has caused the pain and weakness getting up and down. They can confirm a diagnosis and give Kash pain medication if needed. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Kash.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor guy! I am so sorry to hear this. There are plenty of possibilities that could be causing this including neurological disease or orthopedic disease. This could certainly be related to him being in those conditions for a long time or perhaps is unrelated. This could even be due to weakness from dehydration or malnutrition. However, I do think that this warrants a veterinary evaluation as soon as possible to try to determine what may be going on. They would be able to check for these possibilities and treat accordingly. Good luck and have a great day!

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Star! I am assuming when you say he has difficulty walking after defecating that he is walking hunched like he still has to poop? I see that Star isn't neutered, I would have your Vet feel his prostate to make sure it isn't enlarged and painful. Intact male dogs are at risk for benign prostate enlargement, inflammation of the prostate and prostate infections. As the prostate enlarges it can press on the colon or the bladder and make urinating and defecating challenging. I would also want be sure he doesn't have any back pain too. It still could be his anal glands and they could be still empty but inflamed and need antibiotics or anti-inflammatories. I hope this helps and please feel free to contact me with any further questions.

Its reasonable to give er a few days and see if her behavior starts to improve, as long as her appetite is normal, she's not having any vomiting or diarrhea, her breathing is normal, and she will get up and walk to greet you when you call her. If she won't get up on her own, or is she's showing any other symptoms, you need to take her to the vet. If it's just that she's more tired, etc, give her a few days. If its not improving in the next 3 or so days, take her to your vet. Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach !

Being in heat can cause behavioural changes in dogs, as long as they are not too extreme and the dog is otherwise well I would not worry too much. Quite often when in heat dogs well be lethargic and not want to eat very much.

Hello! That crouched stance is usually a sign of either back or abdominal pain, which can also cause decreased behavior. I would recommend having him get a physical exam from a veterinarian. If they are able to localize simple arthritis pain, they may be able to give him some anti-inflammatory or pain medications. If they are worried about a serious back problem or abdominal pain, they will likely recommend x-rays to look at his intestinal tract and spine and possibly bloodwork to check his major organ functions. Then, they can make additional testing or treatment recommendations based on what they find. I hope this is helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be due to a neurological or orthopedic condition. This could even due to weakness from perhaps getting into something he should not have. For this reason, I recommend that you consider taking him to your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check what seems to be the issue so that it can be treated accordingly. Good luck and have a great day!