Is it too late to diagnose my old dog's worsening hind leg weakness?

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!

This sign as you described it seems to be compatible with a neurological problem, most likely affecting the spinal cord at the thoracolumbar level. Intervertebral disc extrusion, spinal cord infarct and spinal cord tumor are all possible differentials and immediate check up and neurological examination should be performed as soon as possible to be able to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Further investigations like x rays may be immediately needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but 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.

Yes, I agree with your vet, x-rays are a good idea. Glucosamine is fine to give but it is not likely to significantly impact her at this stage. It will not hurt anything but it probably won't help much. If she has arthritis in her hips or spine then she likely needs long term therapy with NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Rimadyl) and pain medication (like Tramadol or Gabapentin). The combination of these two types of medications works wonders for arthritis. She will need to be on them for the rest of her life. If there is no arthritis then this could be a neurological issue which would need another type of therapy (mainly steroids like Prednisone). The x-rays will help to narrow this down. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear Mitch is having hindlimb weakness. Weakness in the hindlegs in older dogs can be due to a variety of reasons, including arthritis, back discomfort, or an underlying neurologic issue, among others. Anti-inflammatories, pain medications, and supportive care (such as hydrotherapy and acupuncture) may all be beneficial options. I would recommend discussing what the best overall treatment plan for Mitch would be with your regular veterinarian, or seek a second opinion if you want further advice. Good luck!

Based on Riley's age and the clinical signs, it sounds like he may be experiencing at least one but possibly two issues. An 11 year old almost always had some level of arthritis. Some dogs just have more than others. It is not uncommon for older dogs to start requiring joint supplements or non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs to help them have increased mobility as they get older. In order to confirm this, he should be seen by a vet who can palpate the hind legs. They can make sure they don't feel anything out of the ordinary, and can also shoot x rays if they things it is warranted. In terms of the wheezing you are seeing occasionally, it is possible that this is also just another old age change. As dog's get older, their lung's structure and vasculature also tend to change sometimes making breathing a little more challenging. The wheezing could also be a sign of some sort of cardiorespiratory condition. If he is having serious trouble getting around or getting up during these episodes, a chest x ray with your veterinarian would probably be very helpful in ruling in or out several different possibilities. Both the arthritis and cardiorespiratory disease are generally symptomatically treatable.

Sorry to hear about Dakota's current predicament. Assuming that her two endocrine conditions are well managed, the problem with mobility is likely a separate problem entirely. A myelogram is certainly a decent option for discovering certain abnormalities in the spine, but the best way to rule these out involve a CT Scan or MRI. These are tests that are available only through a specialty hospital in most cases. If she has feeling in all of her limbs, I have doubts that the disease process is of spinal origin however, particularly if this has already been going on for a week. Other causes of lack of mobility are certain infectious diseases (tick borne diseases in particular), traumatic injuries to the spine (fractures to the actual vertebra), severe arthritis, and several different cancerous processes involving the bones and spinal cord. There are also degenerative neurologic conditions that can affected any of the limbs or the brain, ultimately resulting in mobility issues. I tend to lean towards an infectious process or arthritis since there is pain occurring from time to time. I would say that investigating this issue in more detail with your vet would be worth while, with some blood work and a check for tick borne diseases. Hope this helps!

I'm sorry Bailey isn't doing well at the moment! Degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a diagnosis of elimination, meaning that other causes for the weakness are looked for using an MRI and myelography. The only way to confirm it for sure is during a necropsy (autopsy for dogs) when the spinal cord is cut and examined for characteristic degenerative changes. A feature of DM is that is isn't painful, and given all of Bailey's symptoms, I would speak to your vet about having an MRI and myelography to rule out other potential causes of her symptoms.