Almost every owner dreams of his puppy and adult four-legged pet being healthy and happy. And noticing that a dear barking family member begins to drag his hind legs, walk unsteadily or tremble, the owner begins to panic and does not know what to do. Do not try to diagnose your dog on your own, it is best to seek help from a veterinarian.
Of course, it is best to find out in advance what can lead to impaired motor function in a dog. Yes, this knowledge cannot protect the animal, but it can help the owner notice in time that something is wrong with the pet. And if this puppy got sick, then the timely treatment started will help make the baby's future life easier.
Causes of weakness in the hind legs in a dog
- Destruction or damage / displacement of the intervertebral discs. Most often, Pekingese, pugs, bulldogs (both French and English), dachshunds, and poodles suffer from these diseases. Damage/displacement/destruction of the intervertebral disc is dangerous for the life of the animal, as the spinal cord is compressed and injured.
- Diseases of the hip joints are most often recorded in dogs of large breeds (for example, in a Rottweiler, Alabai, Caucasian, German Shepherd and others). Moreover, a puppy often suffers (at the age of four months to a year), less often an adult animal. In addition, almost always we are talking about acquired diseases, extremely rarely the pathology is congenital.
What can contribute to damage to the hip joints in a dog? This is overweight (unbalanced or excessive feeding is especially often to blame, more precisely, obvious overfeeding, lack of physical activity), and slippery floors (when the animal's paws are constantly moving apart), and heredity, and infectious diseases, and injuries.
Yes, and too active dog training (especially if it is a puppy) will not lead to good if its musculoskeletal system has not yet fully developed. Jumping from heights, over barriers, running long distances on poor surfaces - all this will cause irreparable damage to the joints.
- Another reason for the weakness of the hind legs in a dog of any breed (be it a dachshund or a mastiff) can be myositis - inflammation of the muscle tissue. It develops after heavy physical exertion, but not immediately, but the next day. In addition, adult animals most often suffer from myositis.
- Brain damage can also affect the firmness of the animal's gait. These are tumors and vascular pathologies (which, by the way, are recorded much more often than neoplasms). Without additional examinations in a veterinary clinic, even the most experienced doctor will not make an accurate diagnosis.
- Injuries. Spinal bruises (and more serious injuries) can cause puppies and adult dogs to walk wobbly and lose their legs. Therefore, if the puppy has fallen, been hit, hit by a car, contact the clinic immediately, without waiting for the appearance of clinical signs. Sometimes the symptoms do not show up right away because of the shock.
Symptoms of weak hind legs in a dog
- If the reason that the dog (whether an adult pet or a puppy) has weak hind legs is damage to the intervertebral discs (including compression of the spinal cord), then the animal shows “bright” signs of severe pain. Therefore, the dog spends almost all the time in one position (hunched over, but stretching out his neck), because any movement causes acute pain. Trembling, shortness of breath is noticeable (it is noticeable that the pet “uses” to the full only its front paws, cannot jump onto the sofa). With mild compression of the brain, the symptoms are not so pronounced, but it is still noticeable that the four-legged friend is not able to live a full life (even bending over to the bowl is hard).
- If a puppy or an adult dog has weakness of the hind legs in the morning (or immediately after rest), and after some time after walking it disappears, then most likely the pet has problems with the hip joints. And it is not always dysplasia, as the owners think. In addition, both joints are extremely rarely affected at the same time, so the puppy limps on only one leg. As soon as you notice something like this in your pet, do not hesitate to visit the veterinarian.
- With myositis, the animal develops not just weakness of the hind legs, the dog moves, as if on stilts. If you notice that your pet's gait has changed, be sure to contact a specialist!
Treating a Dog with Weak Hind Legs
The main rule - never start the treatment of a puppy and an adult dog on your own, without consulting a veterinarian! Such self-medication can kill the animal. Especially if you decide to use "human" medicines, and even "make a diagnosis" yourself.
Therefore, if you see that your German Shepherd puppy, for example, or an Alabai, or a terrier (yes, no matter what breed) suddenly begins to “own” its hind limbs worse, then the first thing you should do is contact a veterinary clinic.
Not on forums to ask for advice on what to give the dog, not to ask the neighbors what could happen to the pet, but to run to the doctor! He will already prescribe additional examinations (ultrasound, X-ray, blood tests, and others), based on the results of which a diagnosis will already be made. And only after that treatment should be prescribed.
Medication alone is not always effective. Agree, if a puppy has a congenital pathology of the joints, then the use of drugs will only make the animal feel better, “remove” the symptoms, but the problem will not disappear. The same can be said about the displacement of the intervertebral discs, hernia. Therefore, it is better for the veterinarian to decide what to do in a given situation, but the owner is required to comply with all the recommendations of a specialist.
Some owners decide that if they gave the animal a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, then the dog recovered, because it got better. But this should not be done, because this “relief” is temporary, and very quickly everything will return to normal in a puppy or adult dog. Trust the veterinarian, who will select an effective treatment regimen that will put both the shepherd puppy and the adult Pekingese on their paws.
Weakness in the hind legs of a dog. Why? What to do?
We, the Vitus veterinary clinic, are often approached by dog owners with complaints about the weakness of the hind limbs in their pets. Different people describe the signs of the disease in different ways: a wagging gait, a dog dragging its paws, paralysis of the hind legs, lameness, a hunchback of the back, and so on.
There is no single reason for the problems described. Therefore, qualified diagnosis is very important for effective treatment. In this case, you can not do without a visit to the doctor.
In this article, we will try to provide general information on the possible causes of hind limb weakness in dogs, as well as briefly outline the general principles for diagnosing the treatment of related diseases.
There is a breed and age predisposition to certain pathologies. So, Pekingese, dachshunds, French and English bulldogs, poodles and pugs are predisposed to displacement and destruction of the intervertebral discs (discopathy, disc herniation). This pathology poses a serious danger to life and can even lead to the death of the dog. When the disc is displaced, the spinal cord is compressed. Outwardly, this is manifested by repeated bouts of severe pain: the dog freezes in one position (usually with an extended neck and hunched back), severe trembling, shortness of breath, hind legs give way, weaken. With a less pronounced compression of the spinal cord, only weakness of the hind limbs is clinically observed - the dog, as it were, drags them, tries to transfer the weight of the body mainly to the front paws, cannot jump onto the sofa (chair, armchair), cannot bend over to the bowl or to the floor. If discopathy is suspected, it is necessary to immediately conduct a qualified diagnosis and take effective measures up to surgery, since spinal cord compression can quickly lead to irreversible changes when any treatment is ineffective.
Dogs of large and giant breeds (St. Bernard, Great Dane, Rottweiler, Newfoundland, Labrador, etc.), as well as German Shepherds aged 4-12 months, are predisposed to diseases of the hip joints. Many factors influence the occurrence of these diseases, in particular, an unbalanced diet, overweight puppy, paws sliding on the floor, heredity, and so on. With damage to the hip joints, most often, signs of weakness of the limbs appear after rest (in the morning, when getting up) and decrease during physical activity. In addition, the defeat of the hip joints is rarely symmetrical, and the dog first "falls" on only one paw. You can read more about the pathology of the hip joints in our article "Dysplasia ...".
Middle-aged dogs the day after unusually hard physical activity may suffer from muscle inflammation - myositis. One of the manifestations of myositis is weakness of the hind limbs, “stilted gait”. Treatment of myositis is not a serious problem. However, only a veterinarian can distinguish myositis from a spinal cord injury.
In older dogs, hind limb weakness may be of central origin, ie. associated with brain dysfunction. According to our observations, most often there are various vascular problems, less often - volumetric processes (brain tumors). In this case, competent treatment can significantly improve the condition of the dog and significantly extend its life.
Kidney disease in dogs CANNOT be the cause of weakness in the hindquarters and hunched posture, unless it is an extreme degree of exhaustion and autointoxication (however, in this case, weakness extends to all muscles).
A common mistake owners make is self-treatment of the dog with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, indomethacin, diclofenac, etc.). Clinical improvements with the use of these drugs are only temporary and mask the manifestations of the underlying disease. In addition, medical anti-inflammatory drugs have serious side effects in dogs, including ulceration of the stomach wall and stomach bleeding.
Kuznetsov V.S.
Veterinarian
Problems of skeletal formation
when growing puppies of large breeds of dogs.
Plan:
1. Introduction.
2. Main problems:
1) VKG;
2) Fractures;
3) Hip dysplasia;
4) Valgus deformity;
5) Osteochondrosis.
3. Conclusions.
Introduction.
Strong, properly developed bones, reliable and efficient joints are necessary for any dog, regardless of breed. However, for large, heavy animals this is especially important. Various pathologies of the development of the skeleton in a dog can be not only a disqualifying sign, but also cause pain and suffering in the animal. At the same time, many factors that affect the occurrence of skeletal diseases in puppies can be "reduced to zero" by knowing the causes of these diseases.
Main problems.
Certain problems associated with the development of bones and joints in puppies of large dog breeds are particularly common in clinical practice. These include: secondary stern hyperparathyroidism (erroneously called rickets), traumatic and pathological fractures, hip dysplasia (both congenital, genetically inherited and acquired), valgus deformity of the hind limbs and osteochondrosis.
Secondary feeding hyperparathyroidism (VKH).
First, a few words about rickets. Rickets is a disease of growing animals, manifested by a violation of the growth and development of bones due to a lack of vitamin D in the diet.
Traditionally in Russia, rickets is called any local thickening, curvature of the bones in puppies. It has been scientifically proven that true rickets (vitamin D deficiency) is extremely rare in dogs and is difficult to simulate even in an experiment.
Unlike rickets, secondary feeding hyperparathyroidism (SCH) is very common in puppies, and its manifestations are commonly referred to as rickets.
The cause of VCH is an insufficient intake of calcium in the body, often aggravated by an excess of calories in the diet. This situation occurs when a puppy is fed meat, fish, porridge without the addition of calcium-containing preparations. All types of meat (including offal), as well as cereals, contain very little.
Therefore, homemade diets based on meat components should be supplemented with mineral salts containing a significant percentage of calcium (more than 8%), but the amount of the mineral mixture should remain within reasonable limits. It is more difficult to provide both the necessary balance and the right amount of Ca and P at home, because. it is almost impossible to control the true amount of these substances in the original products. Puppies of large dog breeds (Great Danes, Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, Rottweilers, etc.) are especially susceptible to the disease.
The best conditions for the development of the skeleton are created when using ready-made balanced (dry or canned) food for puppies, which take into account the characteristics of the stages of growth and development of babies, for example, Pedigree for puppies up to 12 months; Advance Puppy Rehydratable, for puppies of toy, small and medium breed dogs aged 4 weeks to 6 months or Advance Growth, designed and tailored to the physiology of puppies of large and giant breeds of dogs.
The composition of these feeds fully takes into account the needs of a growing organism in all nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Granules of diets are easily soaked, which is used to feed the puppy during the adaptation period; when transferring to a ready-made diet, it is introduced gradually over 5-7 days, starting with minimal amounts.
We do not recommend mixing balanced ready-made feeds with other products, in order to avoid an imbalance of nutrients and minerals in the puppy's body (except for the period of transfer to dry food) and the addition of vitamin and mineral supplements is categorically excluded.
If you are feeding your growing puppy a homemade diet, adequately fortify it with minerals. Combined mineral supplements such as Slicky, Vetzyme, Irish Kale are best suited for this. We do not recommend the use of drugs and top dressing of domestic production. It is necessary to dose mineral additives in accordance with the recommendations of the manufacturers. However, even with the very best supplements and quality foods, balancing your diet accurately is difficult. We also DO NOT recommend adding vitamins A and D to your homemade diet.
And if the puppy shows signs of so-called "rickets", vitamin D supplementation can only worsen the condition if calcium intake is not increased. Usually, to stabilize the growth of bones, it is enough to transfer the puppy to ready-made food. If the curvature of the limbs and / or gait disturbance is severe, we recommend that you go to the clinic for an examination (X-ray, orthopedic consultation).
Being overweight in a puppy can exacerbate the manifestations of VCH, so the puppy should not be overfed; when using ready-made feeds, it is enough to follow the feeding rate indicated on the package. The growth potential is genetically determined and depends little on the puppy's feeding, with the important condition that the food is balanced. Therefore, a thin puppy is more likely to develop a normal skeleton.
In contrast to CHD, among the classic skeletal diseases associated with calcium deficiency with excess phosphorus, there may be cases where some owners allow excess calcium supplementation without proportional inclusion of phosphorus in the diet. A high calcium content increases its circulating concentration and, as a result, the secretion of calcitonin increases and there are disturbances in the production of PTH. In this condition, the activity of osteoclasts, which are extremely important for the proper formation of the skeleton during the growth period, decreases. As a result, premature closure of the growth zones of long bones can occur, which will lead to their underdevelopment.
Fractures.
Unfortunately, in puppies of large breeds of dogs, fractures of the bones of the limbs occur quite often. At the same time, most owners consider trauma as the only reason for what happened. In fact, in many cases, bone fractures in puppies occur with minimal external impact. Such fractures are called pathological.
Pathological fractures indicate poor mineralization of the skeleton. The reason for this may be low calcium intake, high phosphorus intake and low vitamin D intake. In such cases, fixation of the fracture plays only a SECONDARY role for recovery, the main thing is nutritional support.
Healthy animals with traumatic fractures are usually treated through a process of primary or secondary bone healing. Optimal condition is achieved by using prepared foods with adequate levels of calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A and D. Excessive doses of these substances have been shown to delay bone healing. Pain during trauma or surgery is the cause of stress, which leads to the consumption of protein reserves and a decrease in the immune response. In addition, demand for ascorbic acid and probably other substances is increasing. In surgical patients, the period before and after anesthesia can be particularly detrimental. Therefore, it is necessary to use special dietary feed, designed for the needs of sick animals.
Dysplasia of the hip joints.
This is a common congenital disease of dogs, mainly large breeds (St. Bernards, Rottweilers, Newfoundlands, Labradors, etc.). Several studies have confirmed that initially puppies are born with normal hip joints. Dysplasia develops during the first 6 months of life as a result of disproportionate development of bone structures and soft tissues of the hip joints. The development of the disease is also significantly influenced by external factors, mainly feeding and exercise.
At birth, the femoral head and acetabulum in puppies are formed primarily from cartilage. The formation of bone tissue and the change in the position of the femoral head depends on the process of endochondral ossification. When a dysplastic joint is formed, the load is redistributed: more than half of the body weight during walking falls on the anterior upper edge of the cavity. As a result, microcracks and deformations, cartilage erosion are formed. Clinically, this is manifested by lameness, pain, especially when standing up.
As already mentioned, diet plays an important role in the development of dysplasia. So, in several studies it was possible to establish that long-term consumption of a diet with an INCREASED calcium content leads to a violation of bone formation, incl. and the head of the femur, which is manifested by deformation of both the bones themselves and the joints. With excessive intake of phosphorus from the diet, the normal absorption of calcium from the intestine may slow down due to the formation of non-absorbable compounds - phytates. An excess of vitamin D in the diet causes a delay in ossification, i.e. normal formation of bones and, accordingly, joints. Also, the development of dysplasia can increase with an excess of vitamin C and a lack of thiamine (vitamin B1) in the diet.
Feeding a puppy a balanced diet, such as Advance Growth, significantly reduces the chance of developing hip dysplasia. In this case, it is very important not to overestimate the dose of feed, because. excess energy in the puppy's body, accelerates its growth and weight gain. Under such conditions, the load on the hip joints increases significantly. This may damage them.
In clinical practice, we often register acquired post-traumatic deformities of the hip joints in puppies of large dog breeds, which can be regarded as dysplasia. Such damage occurs most often in puppies that are overweight, contained on homemade diets or mixed diets. Joint injuries occur during unsuccessful jumps, sliding (especially on linoleum, parquet). With timely treatment to the clinic, it is possible to effectively treat such patients with good long-term results.
If the deformity of the hip joint has already formed and the diagnosis of "dysplasia" is established, it is possible to carry out both conservative and surgical treatment. The method and tactics of treatment is determined by the doctor in each case individually.
Valgus deformity of the hind limbs.
In the cynological environment, the disease is called X-shaped hind limbs. Hallux valgus develops most often in rapidly growing puppies of large dog breeds. It is characterized by a significant curvature of the bones of the thigh and lower leg, as a result of which the setting of the hind limbs significantly changes.
The most likely cause by far is improper feeding. Excess protein and energy in the puppy's diet leads to accelerated growth and weight gain. In this case, the total weight of the young animal exceeds the natural resistance to stress of the developing skeletal system of the limbs.
If the animals get to the doctor in a timely manner, before the onset of severe deformities of the limbs, then a sharp restriction of the amount of protein and caloric content of the feed is sufficient. Painkillers and chondroprotectors reduce pain, but thus increase the young animal's need for movement, which leads to an increase in the biomechanical load. After the growth zones are closed, corrective operations on the bones can be performed, which significantly improve the quality of life of the animals.
Osteochondrosis.
Osteochondrosis is a complex pathology manifested by a violation of cartilage mineralization. The disease is ubiquitous and occurs in various animal species, including dogs. In dogs, osteochondrosis is observed as a primary disease of puppies of large breeds (i.e., more than 25 kg of adult weight). Breeds at highest risk: Great Dane, Labrador, Golden Retriever, Newfoundland, Rottweiler.
If the disease affects the articular cartilage, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) may develop later. In OCD, part of the articular cartilage begins to separate and may fragment. At the same time, inflammation of the joint is noted.
Osteochondrosis is a multifactorial disease in which genetics and nutrition play significant roles. The disease affects various breeds and each of them has a specific localization of osteochondrosis. So, in Rottweilers, OCD lesions are more common in the elbow and hock joints. In most cases, lesions are observed from different sides.
Cartilage stratification in osteochondrosis most often occurs in areas subject to the greatest load.
In puppies of large dogs with osteochondrosis, damage to the growth zones is also observed, which leads to curvature of the bones of the forearm, separation of the olecranon from the ulna and the supraglenoid process from the scapula.
It has been scientifically proven that long-term consumption of an excess amount of a balanced diet or a diet rich in calcium (regardless of other components) can cause an increase in the frequency and severity of signs of osteochondrosis in puppies of large dog breeds. Similar changes can be observed in puppies raised on a high calcium diet.
There is an erroneous opinion that calcium is not superfluous, and the puppy will absorb as much calcium from the diet as he needs. In experiments, it was found that dogs receiving foods high in calcium absorb it significantly more.
In dogs with articular cartilage osteochondrosis without cartilage detachment, only non-specific clinical signs may be evident. In cases where the cartilage begins to flake off, osteoarthritis and inflammation of the subchondral bone may occur. The result is lameness.
Measurement of the circulating concentration of calcium and phosphorus does not allow to establish the ratio in the feed and the absorbability of these elements and cannot be used to support the diagnosis of osteochondrosis.
Articular cartilage osteochondrosis does not always progress to OCD. However, in cases where the cartilage begins to exfoliate, surgical treatment is already required.
If osteochondrosis affects the growth zone of the bones of the forearm, the so-called. "Crooked Beam Syndrome". In crooked beam syndrome, severe shortening of the ulna may be irreversible, as may abnormal development of the wrist and/or separation of the olecranon.
Feeding correction in the early stages can positively influence the spontaneous disappearance of cartilage lesions. Osteochondrosis of the articular cartilage and growth plates may disappear, but dietary changes may not help in cases of OCD when cartilage detachment has occurred or when there is severe beam curvature. In most of these cases, surgical correction is indicated.
Feed correction involves reducing the intake of energy (proteins, fats, carbohydrates), calcium and vitamins to the minimum requirements of the dog. Medical treatment of osteochondrosis in dogs is ineffective.
Not only its growth and development depend on how fully the puppy eats.
Puppies that are properly fed have good immunity and are less susceptible to disease.
Adequate supply of all nutrients and proper care will help your pet reach its full genetic potential and lay the foundation for a long, fulfilling and healthy life for your pet.
Kuznetsov V.S.
Veterinarian
Many dog owners, faced with the problem of hind leg failure, panic and do not know what to do in this situation. Literally an hour ago, the dog was healthy and actively behaved, and now he hardly gets up or cannot do it at all.
Why are paws taken away from a dog?
There are many causes of this disease, but for the most part they are all divided into two groups:
1. Orthopedic problems and
2. Problems of a neurological nature.
The primary task of the veterinarian and the owner of the dog, of course, is the need to identify the cause of the violation of support ability as soon as possible.
If we consider the most common causes of hind leg failure in dogs, then the following can be distinguished:
- 1. Injuries: fractures, sprains, ruptures of ligaments and tendons, damage to peripheral nerves
- 2. Arthritis of the joints of the hind limbs
- 3. Discopathy
- 4. Herniated discs
- 5. Arthrosis
- 6. Tumors
- 7. Hip dysplasia, etc.
- Most often, the hind legs suffer from falls in dogs of small breeds (for example, when jumping off the couch), in other breeds of dogs, a common cause is car accidents, bites during fights, and blows.
- Common reasons also include an unsuccessful jump or frequent and long climbs of stairs, slipping of a dog on ice - all this leads to spinal injuries. At such moments, at the site of injury to the spine, the integrity of the structure of the spinal column is violated, edema appears, which compresses the nerves and spinal cord. As a result, the dog remains immobilized.
- Also, in a dog, the hind legs can fail with degenerative diseases of the spine, spondylosis, that is, “local aging” of individual vertebral sections. Spondylosis in dogs proceeds slowly, which is why it is practically not detected in the early stages.
- Tumors also lead to hind leg failure in dogs. Tumors that can gradually develop in the spinal cord or in its vicinity lead to fractures of the spinal column and pathological changes in it. With exacerbations of the disease, edema appears, which compresses the roots of the spinal cord. As a result, the dog's hind legs fail, while the back may arch, and the processes of urination and defecation are disturbed.
- Failure of the hind legs in dogs with osteochondrosis is considered one of the most severe forms of the disease. This disease is associated with a violation of cartilage mineralization. Any breed of dog is susceptible to osteochondrosis, however, it is most often found in puppies of large breeds that are rapidly gaining weight. Simply put, the dog's limbs are not yet prepared for heavy weight and heavy loads, which leads to the failure of the hind legs.
- Discopathy is also a common cause of hind leg failure in dogs. This disease is common among breeds such as the French Bulldog, Dachshund, etc. The disease is associated with the special structure of the spine of these breeds, which has become more elongated during selection, and is now experiencing powerful loads. As a result, the dog may suffer not only during active movements or jumps, but even in a calm state, the disc may fall out.
-
Hip dysplasia is not uncommon in dogs of large and very large breeds, such as Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Asian Shepherds, etc. This disease brings pain to the animal and can permanently immobilize it. The cause of the disease is the abnormal development of the hip joints, and the discrepancy between the femoral head and the iliac crest. Dysplasia is easily recognized on an x-ray. Severe dysplasia leads to arthritis.
Also, dog owners should be aware that some other processes in the animal's body can lead to such reactions, for example, problems with the gastrointestinal tract and other diseases of the internal organs. Diseases such as sciatica or pyelonephritis can also lead to paw failure in a dog.
Owners often turn to the veterinary clinic, complaining that the dog's hind legs are being taken away. Each of them describes the symptoms in their own way: the pet is lame, hunches its back, drags its paws, it has paralysis.
Introduction
There is no single reason that can cause such symptoms. Canine veterinary science suggests that the first step in treatment should be a qualified diagnosis. To know how to treat, you need to know what to treat. And without a trip to the veterinarian, you can’t do it in any way.
Individual pathologies, when a dog's hind legs are taken away, include age and breed predisposition. So, pugs, poodles, English and dachshunds and Pekingese have a predisposition to the destruction or displacement of the intervertebral
Discopathy
This pathology is quite serious and can pose a threat to the life of a pet. Displaced, the disc compresses. Outwardly, this will be manifested by periodic bouts of severe pain: the pet freezes in one position (usually with a hunched back and an outstretched neck), shortness of breath appears, severe trembling, hind legs weaken and give way.
The reasons why dachshunds experience a decrease in the strength of the intervertebral disc, scientists have not yet fully identified. A genetic predisposition has been established in some lines of breeding dogs. Due to the mutual pressure of the vertebrae on each other, the gelatinous nucleus pulposus moves into the thickness of the fibrous ring and subsequently leaves its limits, falling into the paravertebral space. The fibrous ring has the lowest strength on the side of the passing spinal canal, and therefore parts of the destroyed disc are usually displaced in this direction. This causes compression of the spinal cord lying here, as well as its nerves.
If the compression of the spinal cord is not so pronounced, then clinically it will manifest itself only in this way - the dog's hind legs have failed. The pet drags them, tries to transfer the weight of the body to the forelimbs. He tries to jump onto a chair (sofa, armchair), but he does not succeed. Can't bend over to the floor, bowl. If there is a suspicion of discopathy, you need to go for a qualified diagnosis and prepare for treatment, up to surgery. Compression of the spinal cord can cause irreversible changes in the body, when therapeutic measures are already simply ineffective.
Dysplasia
Pets of giant and large breeds (Labrador, Newfoundland, Rottweiler, Great Dane, St. Bernard, German Shepherds 4-12 months old) also have their own predispositions to the disease when the dog's hind legs fail. This defeat Many things can affect the occurrence of this pathology: heredity, overweight puppy, unbalanced diet, etc.
Causes of dysplasia
There have been many scientific debates about the causality of this disease. And so far, two theories have been formed about the heredity of this pathology and the mechanism of inheritance.
Many geneticists advocate the theory of additive inheritance. That is, the disease develops due to the action of genes that are involved in the final formation of the hip joint.
The second theory is based on the premise that these same genes influence each other, and their interaction is combined in various ways. This means that the defect has a much more complex hereditary character than shown by the first theory.
There is a third theory in the world of genetics. It combines the first two. According to it, the action of the genes responsible for the creation of joints can be summed up, and individual genetic pairs affect each other in different ways.
The general conclusion of experts: the disease is a classic example of a quantitative trait, which is influenced by many genes (polygeny), and in this case, many environmental factors exert their influence on the final formation and manifestation of traits. The clinical manifestation of dysplasia, when the dog's hind legs are taken away, is not present in all animals. But this does not mean that a pet at risk is not susceptible to this pathology if there are no pronounced symptoms. When choosing a mating partner, the pedigree should be examined for the presence of ancestors with dysplasia. It should be noted that the disease can be transmitted to descendants through fourteen generations.
Swedish canine veterinary medicine has unequivocally proved that dysplasia is associated with heredity and is inherent in certain breeds. And if the breed is characterized by a powerful physique and large mass, then the probability of the disease is very high. the dog carries a huge burden. It gives the body when moving the pushing force from the hind limbs. And during this push, the joint is extended and holds the head of the femur along the entire acetabulum. Particularly great friction occurs in the joint when the animal, standing on its hind legs, jumps or walks.
If the hip joints are affected, then the weakness of the hind legs will appear immediately after a period of rest (when getting up in the morning) and decrease with physical exertion. Also, this lesion is rarely symmetrical, the dog will begin to “fall” on only one paw.
Myositis
In middle-aged dogs, after too much exercise, inflammation of the muscles - myositis - can develop the next day. Due to overstrain, tear, rupture, rupture of muscle fibers and hemorrhage into the thickness of the muscles can occur. Due to damage, traumatic edema develops, and with a significant rupture of the muscle fibers, a scar forms, and the muscle shortens. This leads to myogenic contracture of the corresponding joint. If pathogenic microflora gets into the affected muscle, purulent myositis will develop.
One of the symptoms of this disease will be "stilted gait" or weakness of the hind limbs, the dog limps on the hind leg. Treatment of dogs with such an ailment will not cause great difficulties, but only
Osteochondrosis
Another disease that can cause a pet to have problems with its hind legs. The main reason is a violation of cartilage mineralization. Typical for puppies of large breeds. Osteochondrosis is a multifactorial disease. Nutrition and genetics play key roles. The stratification of cartilage with such a pathology is more often observed in the joints subject to the greatest load (hip). The result will be the appearance of lameness, the dog is lame on the hind leg.
fractures
This pathology is often found among puppies of large breeds. And many owners cite trauma as the cause. The dog tightens its hind leg, cannot lean on it. Reacts painfully to touch. In most cases, fracture occurs with minimal impact from the outside. This type of injury is called a pathological fracture and indicates a low mineralization of the skeleton. Causes - low intake of calcium or vitamin D, high intake of phosphorus.
For recovery in this case, it is not enough to fix the fracture. The main thing is to prescribe the right diet. The best option is to use ready-made feeds that are balanced in terms of phosphorus, calcium, vitamins D and A. An excess of these substances will delay bone healing.
Old age
Does an older dog fall on its hind legs? This may be due to a malfunction of the brain. According to the observations of veterinarians, this is most often due to various vascular problems, less often - the cause is the presence of brain tumors. Proper treatment in this case can significantly improve the well-being of the pet and prolong his life for years.
What should be distinguished from
Kidney problems cannot cause a dog to lose its hind legs and develop a hunched body, unless the pet has an extreme degree of exhaustion with autointoxication. But in this case, weakness will spread to the entire muscular apparatus.
What not to do
The most common mistake owners make when detecting weakness in the hind limbs is self-treatment of dogs with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, indomethacin, aspirin, etc.). The clinical improvements observed by the owners after the use of these drugs are only temporary, but they hide the underlying disease well, which greatly complicates the correct diagnosis of the disease, due to which the dog's hind legs are taken away. Also, medical anti-inflammatory drugs carry a number of serious side effects for pets, including ulcers on the walls of the stomach and bleeding in it.
