Why is my senior dog struggling to walk and his legs give out?

I'm sorry Buddy isn't doing well at the moment! He is a senior large breed dogs, and musculoskeletal problems such as hip dysplasia and arthritis are common in these dogs. Those would both cause him trouble walking. He could also have a problem with his back. Even though it doesn't appear he is in pain, dogs are very stoic and this will be painful for him. I would have him seen today by a vet for a physical exam, lameness exam, and possibly x-rays. This test will help the vet diagnose what is causing his symptoms so he can be treated. He may benefit from pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given.

At this age dogs usually suffer from painful arthritis of the hips. The pain makes them use their hind legs less and therefore the muscles atrophy. You should take Ryder to your vet for an exam, and mention the weakness in the hind legs. Your vet can prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication which will help with pain and should make Ryder more happy to get up and exercise. This will train his leg muscles and it will be much easier for him to get up and walk.

I'm so sorry to hear that is going on with Todd. There are a few things that can cause those clinical signs. One of the most common is a bulging disc that is pressing on his spinal cord. I have included a handout with information on that below. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=3223 There are other things that could be going on, but dogs with disc disease often improve with appropriate treatment, so it is important to have Todd evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible to start treatment. In the meantime, be sure to keep him quiet and not allow him to walk around. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and that Todd will make a full recovery. Thanks for using PetCoach.

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.

If this just happened, then I'd be concerned about an injury to the lower spine, or hind legs. In this case it's really best to let him rest until you are able to take him to the vet for an examination (would recommend doing this in the next day or two). If this has been a problem that has been getting worse over a few months, then I would be more suspicious of arthritis. Being overweight is a big contributor to arthritis and acquiring injuries. Reducing his weight is very helpful for these conditions, but they often need prescription medication and therapy to help with the pain and inflammation. For this reason, it's still best to have him evaluated by a veterinarian. It's good that you are concerned about him getting overweight, because he does appear to be somewhat chunky. In order to get started with a weight loss plan it's good to score his current body condition. Below is a link that will help you do this. https://www.wsava.org/sites/default/files/Body%20condition%20score%20chart%20dogs.pdf After that, you can use the healthy weight calculator at the following link: https://www.petcoach.co/healthy-weight-calculator/ There are some products in the pet store that are actually formulated for weight loss and these would be the best ones to feed. I know Hills, Purina and Royal Canin all have good products. The best thing to check on the bag is the AAFCO statement, which is just below the guaranteed analysis. This will tell if the food has actually demonstrated what it claims. I've included a link to an article below that explains all of this. Make sure you feed the food according to the bag's instructions and try to cut out all treats and table scraps. https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-to-look-for-when-choosing-your-pet-s-food/ The hardest thing for pet owners is that they feel like they are starving their dog. Trust me, you are not starving them, despite how bad they may make you feel. If your dog likes any vegetables like celery, carrots or green beans, then these are great, low calorie options to give as treats that can make you and your dog feel a bit better about the diet. In the end, know that a skinnier dog will be healthier and live longer, so it's well worth it. I hope that helps and you are able to get a good plan going for Polo. I've given one more link to an article with additional information below. https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-ways-to-help-your-dog-lose-weight/

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. These symptoms are possibly related to arthritis in the spine or hips. Please, take Roxi to your local vets for an appointment. Full clinical examination should allow making the diagnosis and adequate treatment can be started. It possibly will be a course of anti-inflammatory medications.

I am very sorry that Manny is having a hard time after his birthday celebrations. It sounds to me for what you are describing there could potentially be an osteoarthritis component to his issues. It is possible that he has muscle weakness, thought as you are noting, it is less likely to appear so quickly. Whereas, osteoarthritis flare-ups can appear immediately following a walk. I would advise the following for you and Manny; Shorter walks more frequently to prevent flare-ups and build up lean muscle mass Cool compresses after a walk on his hips for a few minutes every few hours for the first 24 hours After first 24 hours, switch to warm compresses Adding a joint supplement to Manny's diet such as this one; http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=29218 If he does not return to himself within 48 hours, and really start to improve in the first 24 hours, I would advise taking him into his veterinarian to ensure he doesn't need any changes to his medication, or perhaps adding a long term medication for osteoarthritis.