My senior dog's back legs are weak. How can I help him walk again?

I am so sorry to hear this. I would make sure she is on a joint supplement - I like dasuquin or flexadin. I would also look into the orthodog hip hound brace. I have had some of my geriatric patients who this has help tremendously with getting up. Unfortunately, it doesn't work on everyone. I would also talk to your vet about whether or not she needs a daily anti-inflammatory to help keep her comfortable. Finally, if you can find a vet in your area who specializes in acupuncture and Chinese herbs, this can be a tremendous help to increase the STRENGTH and decrease pain in an arthritic dog. I hope this helps!

Your dog could have arthritis which makes him unstable. He could also suffer from hip dysplasia (which can lead to arthritis) or have some compression of the spinal cord which can affect the hind leg movement. A vet exam is recommended to check for these issues. Some may improve with anti-inflammatory medication available from your vet. In the meantime, using small throw rugs on the floor (that have grip on the back so they don't move) may help your pup get around on the floor.

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!

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!

Poor Abby! I'm sorry to hear that she's having this problem. Rear leg issues in an older dog could be caused by an orthopedic problem like arthritis or hip/knee abnormalities, or a neurologic problem such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) or degenerative myelopathy. Treatment recommendations will depend on what the underlying problem is, and none of these things can really be treated at home without prescription medications, so I would recommend taking her to the vet for an exam. He/she can take x-rays of her hips and spine if needed to help diagnose the problem and see what can be done to treat it.

I'm so sorry Roxy is struggling with her mobility. This is common in geriatric dogs. I would recommend trialing pain medication and consulting with a rehab veterinarian. NSAIDs are often useful for dogs without kidney or liver disease. You may also ask about pain medications like Gabapentin, amantadine, or pregabalin.

Poor Tyler! If it has nothing to do with his heart or trachea, then it may have something to do with his joints. He may be suffering from arthritic pain which over time has lead to muscle atrophy and weakness of his hind legs. You can try joint supplements (i.e. Dasuquin) and look into water therapy or similar physical therapy services available in your area to help build up his muscle strength. Then you should discuss with your vet about some other medical treatments that are safe for him, considering his medical history. A radiograph if his hind legs will also confirm a suspected arthritis and determine the degree of arthritis there to help tailor his therapy recommendations. I hope your fur baby gets proper care soon so that he can have a better quality of life. Best wishes.