Why is my senior dachshund's back leg giving out and shaking?

Poor Bella! Back problems are extremely common in Dachshunds because of their body shape. Arthritis of the hips and rear legs is also a common problem in older dogs. These problems are often very treatable with anti-inflammatory meds and pain medication, so I would recommend taking Bella to the vet for an exam when you are able to. He/she can take x-rays if needed to help determine what is causing her pain and soreness, and will prescribe medication to treat the problem depending on what is found. In the meantime, you could try starting her on a daily glucosamine/chondroitin supplement such as Cosequin or Dasuquin, as well as an omega-3 fatty acid supplement such as Welactin. Both of these things have been shown to be helpful for arthritis and other orthopedic issues in dogs, and can be purchased over the counter or ordered online without a prescription.

I am sorry tootsie is having a hard time. My concern would be arthritis, possible back disease, neurological issues or infection. I would recommend taking her to a veterinarian for a good exam to check her back and back for pain. I would recommend limiting her excercise and not allowing her to jump until she is checked out. Hope that helps.

Oh no. Poor girl : ( It sounds like Dixie is experiencing some pretty painful musculoskeletal disorder, which can be either her back or hip area. I would highly recommend taking her to your local vet for pain control medication right away. There are no safe options over the counter that we can recommend here so it is best to have her seen. The vet will also likely recommend x-rays of her back and hips to properly identify the underlying problem so that we know for sure we are on the right course of treatment for her. I do hope that your fur baby feels better soon! Best wishes and take care.

Hello, while I am glad you have been using a good joint supplement, it sounds like your girl needs some more serious pain medication for her osteoarthritis. There are many to choose from, and they can literally give an aging pet a new lease on life. I have literally seen crippled dogs that owners wanted to euthanize become happy, active pets. The first thing to do is see your veterinarian for a thorough exam, blood work & possible x-rays & hopefully start your pet on a medication to ease her pain. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi! Thanks for entrusting us with Bentley's care today! Lameness and/or possible leg pain and shaking can be a sign of a few things that range from a muscle sprain to even a fracture. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian so that this can be further assessed which will likely include radiographs. Treatment will be dependent on findings though at the very least pain control medications can be prescribed. Good luck! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Piper. She sounds very sore. Small breed dogs can be prone to lower back pain or she could have injured the leg that she is favoring. I recommend that she sees a veterinarian. An examination will detect the source of her pain. X-rays may be recommended. Medications can be prescribed to help her to feel better. In the meantime, keep her quiet and carry her as much as possible. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!

In an otherwise healthy dog, the toxic dose of carprofen is 20 mg/kg as a single dose. So if your girl got 1/2 of the tablet (37.5 mg) each day, we would not expect this to cause toxicity issues unless she weighs less than 4 pounds. Carprofen overdoses normally cause GI problems like vomiting and stomach ulcers, or kidney failure at very high doses - loss of function in the rear legs would not be an expect symptom of this, so it's likely that she has a back problem causing this rather than a reaction to the carprofen. Rear leg paralysis can be very serious, especially if she has no movement or sensation at all in her back legs, so it would be best to take her to an emergency clinic tonight rather than waiting until morning if you can. Depending on the severity of the problem, some dogs may need emergency surgery to restore function.