My young dog can't climb stairs. What's wrong with his joints?

Poor Jax. He may have tweak his hips or back. As long as he is eating and drinking you could try to rest him for a few days to see if he improves. If he worsens or not improving, I would see your vet for an exam and possible X-rays. Your vet may want to make sure there is nothing broken and make sure his spine looks ok. Also your vet will be able to give him some pain meds to keep him comfortable. I would not give any human pain meds as most are toxic to dogs. I hope this helps.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Pippin is very cute, I am sorry he is having issues. Moving slowlying and trouble with stairs can be caused by arthritis, spinal disease (IVDD vs. degenerative myelopathy vs. other less common conditions), heart disease (weakness), and cancers. To figure out exactly what is going on with thim, I would suggest thinking about having a referral with either a neurologist or a surgeon, and an MRI would likely be recommended. A physical exam can make a lot of these diseases more or less likely, however only with imaging can you rule out a slipped disc (IVDD). I hope that gives you a direction to go to get an answer for Pippin. Best of luck with him, I hope he feels better soon!

Hi there. Poor Diesel! If he is having joint pain in his knees-your veterinarian can prescribe you some medications for pain that can make him much more comfortable. There are also other things available which may be of some aid to you-hills Science Diet makes j/d for better joint health (a prescription food) which many of my clients love. Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements like dasuquin can also help with joint disease. I hope this helps!

I am very sorry to hear that Jake seems less eager to jump then he used to be. This is a very common problem with older small- medium dogs. Though it is difficulty to say exactly what is the cause, I would be worried about osteoarthritis in Jake's hip joints. A vet would be able to diagnose with a physical examination as well as potentially using an X-ray to visualise the changes in Jake's lower back, Such as slipped discs, knees, and hip joints. Because Jake seems otherwise very well in himself I would advise adding a supplement to his diet to help with joint health. There are several of these on the market currently. Look for Glucosamine & Chondroitin in the labels, and always buy a pet formulated brand, as doses are different for humans. I would also advise a change in his exercise regime to promote lean muscle mass development. Muscle wastage is a common contributing factor in older dogs. More frequent, but shorter walks will benefit Jake. For example, two 20 minute walks, One in the morning and one in the evening If you notice that Jake is particularly sore after a walk you can apply a cool compress to hip area I hope this answer was helpful and if you believe that Jake is not benefiting from these tactics I advise a trip to the veterinarian to ensure noting more is occuing.

That is definitely concerning. Young dogs can have problems such as hip dysplasia, a disorder called Legg Calf Perthes disease that causes damage to the hip, problems with the spine that can cause weakness, Among others. An evaluation by your veterinarian and possible X-rays may help identify the cause and develop a plan for treatment. I hope this gives you someplace to start! I hope he improves quickly!

Poor Zuko! It could be he has a problem with his hips, spine, or ligaments in his back legs causing him difficulty getting up . He's showing you he's in pain with this behavior, and this needs to be checked out by a vet. I'd take him into a vet on Monday. The vet can prescribe pain medication as needed. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. I hope this helps!

I agree that Bow seems to be in pain. Although the injury could be anywhere in his body, the big concern with his breed is an injury to the neck or spine. With their long bodies, Dachshunds are prone to back injuries. I recommend to have him seen by his veterinarian who will palate the neck, spine and legs to determine what area is injured. They will also try to determine if it is a soft tissue injury or related to the bones. Until you see the doctor, Bow must have strict exercise restriction. Do not allow him to do any more jumping, no running, no stairs, no walks and outside on a leash only. You must be cautious with a potential back issue as it can have serious consequences. I hope you find this helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions. I hope he starts feeling better quickly!