The dog lost its hind legs what to do. The dog's hind legs failed. What to do? Causes, symptoms and all about it. What not to do

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Treating the back paws of dogs is very often necessary, as pets face neurological problems just as often as humans. Therefore, if you notice the following symptoms in your pet, you should immediately seek the advice of a veterinarian:

• the dog begins to move atypically;
• the hind limbs do not listen to the dog and become weakened;
• limbs can be withdrawn and paresis develops.

In most cases, the problem occurs in small breed dogs, which are more prone to damage and genetic diseases of the vertebral discs.

Initially, the disease begins to actively manifest itself with the appearance of very strong pain. The animal feels weakness and general malaise. As the attack intensifies, the limbs cease to obey the animal and are eventually simply taken away.

All these manifestations usually overtake the animal very sharply and develop at lightning speed. However, in some more complex cases, the animal may begin to have a seizure of such a dangerous disease as.

Many dogs suffer from the fact that, for example, in the morning the limbs began to be taken away, and by the evening their complete paralysis developed in a domestic dog, the treatment of which is a rather difficult period.

Causes of pathology

There can be quite a few reasons why a puppy may be faced with the fact that his hind legs could fail. In most cases, when the owner notices that a fulminant hind limb paresis has formed in dogs, his treatment can be something completely thoughtless. Therefore, when the first symptoms appear, it is urgent to consult a veterinarian.

The most common causes of cuts in their majority can be the following:

• inflamed pelvic joint;
• limb fracture;
• nerve damage;
• displacement of intervertebral discs;
• tendon injury;
• benign and cancerous tumors.

In the event that the veterinarian performed a thorough examination of the pet and completely ruled out the listed causes of the disease, then most likely the leg failure occurs due to any negative impact on the dog's spinal cord. Most often, the hind legs can fail if the thoracic or lumbar spine is affected.

First aid for paw failure in a pet

The most basic thing you can do for your pet is to immediately seek help from a veterinarian. However, if this is not possible right now, you must adhere to the following basic recommendations aimed at treating the legs of dogs.

In the event that the pet began to sharply feel pain in the hind legs, it is urgent to provide him with peace, you should not wait for the moment when the paws fail completely. It is also very important not to waste time, if the sensitivity is still preserved, a timely appeal to a specialist will help the pet not to completely lose it.

If the paralysis is associated with an injury to the vertebral section, it is necessary to fix the dog on the board in a supine position with bandages. Medications such as painkillers are strictly prohibited, as this can make it difficult to diagnose and identify the real cause of the dog's condition.

It is also very important to note that, feeling pain, the pet cannot actively move, which will help not worsen its position and exclude further displacement of the vertebral discs.

You should immediately contact a medical institution if you notice the following alarming signs in your pet:

• anxiety;
• squealing when touching the spine;
• limited activity;
• convulsions.

However, very often these symptoms do not cause any suspicions among the owners, which makes it impossible to provide timely assistance to the pet. In the worst case, the dog's hind legs fail and no treatment will help here.

In some cases, specialists without proper diagnosis can confuse such a dangerous disease as paralysis with sciatica. The owner smears the vertebral part of the pet with a variety of ointments, which only becomes a reason for wasting precious time, and the dog also loses the chance to fully recover.

If the dog's hind legs have been taken away, then treatment should be carried out immediately, otherwise this will greatly aggravate the healing process.

But, there is evidence that even in hopeless cases, pets were put on their paws and could walk. However, here it is worth considering that rehabilitation plays an important role. This fully depends solely on the perseverance and mood of the owner.

If the case is not advanced enough, the doctor puts the pet in, however, under very difficult circumstances, spinal surgery is indicated.

It is very difficult to overestimate the importance of physiotherapy, as well as swimming and massage. All these manipulations help animals during the rehabilitation period to restore motor activity as quickly as possible.

In order for the treatment to bring the expected result, it is worth remembering that at home it will not be possible to cure a pet whose limbs have been taken away one hundred percent. Therefore, if the animal began to go numb or its paws were taken away, it is urgent to take it to a medical facility.

Medical procedures for limb failure in dogs

As soon as you contact a medical institution with this problem, the veterinarian will perform all the necessary diagnostic measures. If the pet needs urgent help when feeling very severe pain, he will be given an anesthetic.

If the cause of the pathology is a spinal problem, then it is worth performing the following manipulations:

• checking the sensitivity of the limbs;
• the presence or absence of reflexes;
• checking the sensation of pain in the region of the vertebral discs in different parts of the back;
• conducting x-ray examination;
• general blood and urine tests.

These diagnostic measures are necessary in order to identify the degree of pathology and make a decision about the advisability of using a particular drug.

In some cases, the veterinarian suggests surgery. Here it is worth recommending not to refuse it, as this can save sensitivity in the pet's hind limbs.

Preventive actions

What should the owner take into account so that the pet does not encounter such a problem as hind limb failure? This question is one hundred percent rhetorical, since in old age, regardless of the actions of the owner, many dogs suffer from this disease.

However, in some cases, this risk is minimized if the following basic preventive instructions are followed:

• It is recommended that large breed dogs in puppyhood take medications that can protect the spine from weakness in adulthood.
• It is very important that the puppy actively develops by playing with his relatives. Only under the condition of active rest, the vertebrae are not able to remain in one position.
• Up to six months, the dog is contraindicated in descending the stairs. The animal must be carried on hand. But, as for the ascent, he must do it himself.
• In the event that the pet has a genetic predisposition to, it is necessary to periodically perform an x-ray examination.
• Physical activity should be reasonable, overloads are as harmful as their lack.
• pet must be strictly balanced. Vitamins and minerals should be present in the diet in the required amount.
• It is strictly forbidden to organize a sleeping place for a puppy in that part of the room where there are most drafts. There is a possibility of blowing the spine and inflammation of its discs.
• It is necessary to avoid injuries and other damage to both the spinal region and the limbs of the dog.

Summing up, it should be noted that if you notice any alarming symptoms in your pet, you should immediately consult a doctor, since self-medication can only harm him.

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.

Discopathy, disc herniation. So, Pekingese, dachshunds, French and English bulldogs, poodles and pugs are predisposed to displacement and destruction of the intervertebral discs. 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 body weight mainly to the front paws, cannot jump onto the sofa (chair, armchair), cannot lean towards the bowl or to the floor.

If discopathy is suspected, it is necessary to immediately carry out a qualified diagnosis and take effective measures up to surgery, since compression of the spinal cord can quickly lead to irreversible changes when any treatment is ineffective.

Dysplasia. Dogs of large and giant breeds (St. Bernard, Great Danes, Rottweiler, Newfoundland, Retrievers, German Shepherds) at the age of 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 limb weakness 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 ..."

Myositis. 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.

Diseases of the vascular system. 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 MAY NOT cause weakness in the hind limbs and a 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, rimadyl, 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.

Valgus deformity of the hind limbs, 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. This 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.

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. If the disease affects the articular cartilage, osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) may develop later. Cartilage stratification in osteochondrosis most often occurs in areas subject to the greatest load. In OCD, part of the articular cartilage begins to separate and may fragment. At the same time, inflammation of the joint is noted.

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.

conclusions. Not only its growth and development depend on how well a puppy eats. Puppies have good immunity and are less susceptible to diseases. Adequate supply of all nutrients and proper care: the necessary physical activity for development will help to realize the full genetic potential and lay the foundation for a long, fulfilling and healthy life for your pet. At the slightest disturbance in the development of the dog, a consultation with an orthopedic veterinarian is necessary.

Veterinarian

Many dogs are prone to developing diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Cases when their hind legs fail are not uncommon. There are several reasons for this condition.

Which breeds most often fail hind legs?

Usually owners of dogs of small and medium sizes face this problem.

Dachshunds have a predisposition to damage to the hind legs.

Some breeds have a genetic predisposition to lesions of the intervertebral discs. Specific symptoms are seen in:

1. Tax.
2. Brabancon.
3. French bulldogs.
4. Pekingese.

The dysfunction of the hind limbs is observed at approximately 3-8 year of pet's life .

The main causes of pathology

This symptom is often observed against the background of a violation of the innervation of the paws.. A provocateur can be a lesion of the spinal cord at the level of the lumbar or thoracic spine.

The development of arthritis can cause hind leg failure.

But also the hind legs may fail due to development:

• neoplasms in the spine.

Sometimes this symptom occurs due to an injury.

Features of discopathy

This pathology is also referred to as an intervertebral hernia.

The changed substance of the disc penetrates into the spinal canal, where the spinal cord is located. This contributes to the compression of the spinal nerves. Often discopathy is diagnosed in Bassets and Dachshunds.

Discopathy is often seen in Basset dogs.

Features of dysplasia

This pathology is very difficult to treat.

Dysplasia often occurs in dogs of the Great Dane breed.

Often dysplasia passed down genetically to dogs . Therefore, when buying an animal, you need to ask for both documents and tests for this disease of his father and mother.

Features of osteochondrosis

Osteochondrosis in a dog in the picture.

Conditional "continuation" of discopathy is osteochondrosis.

The main cause of this serious disease is considered to be impaired cartilage mineralization. It hardens rapidly, which contributes.

Osteochondrosis dangerous because, if left untreated, the hind limbs of the animal gradually fail.

Features of arthritis and arthrosis

Arthritis and arthrosis are more common in older dogs.

These pathologies are most often diagnosed in dogs of heavy, large breeds. The main difference between arthrosis and arthritis is the absence of inflammation. There is a rapid change in cartilage, which is soon destroyed. In arthritis, the joint sac becomes inflamed. This disease occurs in older animals.

Symptoms

The first specific symptom is pain. A little later, the dog becomes weak, lethargic. It is difficult for her to move her paws. Pain sensitivity disappears last.

Pain in the extremities is the main symptom of the disease.

These signs may appear while playing with other animals.

1. If the disease is started symptoms appear even when the dog is in a state of relative rest.
2. Sometimes all the signs of the disease appear at once . Often in the first half of the day there is a pain syndrome, and in the late afternoon paralysis of the paws develops.
3. The most insidious disease is spondylosis . At first it proceeds slowly and is not detected in the early stages. When the pathology progresses, the development of osteophytes is observed. Visually, they resemble beak-like growths.
4. Tumors in the spine also do not manifest themselves at first. . When the process escalates, the spinal cord is compressed. This leads to arching of the animal's back and disruption of its gait.
5. Getting up and sitting down, the pet may squeal in pain . Sometimes there is involuntary urination. In some animals, the act of defecation is disturbed. A weakened dog may refuse to eat.

How can you help a dog?

Having found at least one of the alarming symptoms in a dog, you need to see a veterinarian as soon as possible specializing in neurology. To establish a primary diagnosis, the doctor:

1. Schedules x-rays.
2. Checks for pain in the area of ​​the spine.
3. Clarifies the safety of reflexes.
4. Checks for pain and tactile sensitivity.

If you notice alarming symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Sometimes a sick animal is assigned to undergo a myelography. The conducted studies help the veterinarian to assess the stage of the lesion and determine the therapeutic tactics.

When diagnosing, it is very important to differentiate sciatica. Wrong treatment contributes to the aggravation of symptoms.

Medical treatment

If the dog's condition is characterized as acute, she is prescribed the use of steroid hormones:

1. Solumedrol.
2. Metipred.
3. Dexamethasone.
4. Prednisolone.

Solumedrol is used in the acute course of the disease.

At the end of this course, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to the dog. Pet recommended admission Rimadila, Quadrisola .

"Human" NSAIDs should not be given to animals.

This leads to the opening of gastric bleeding. Often there is a fatal outcome.

In order to improve the nutrition of the nervous tissue, the dog is prescribed B vitamins injections . The metabolism of oxygen and glucose in the affected tissues is activated by Actovegina. Prozerin is recommended for resuscitation of neuromuscular conduction. It can be combined with other anticholinesterase drugs.

When the pathology is in the acute phase, Prozerin not registered. It is important to remember that these injections are painful.

Surgery

The main goal of the operation is to eliminate compression of the spinal cord. Surgery is prescribed only after a comprehensive examination of the dog.

Surgery is prescribed to relieve compression of the spinal cord.

During the operation, the veterinarian removes the vertebral arches. After surgery, the doctor advises the owners of the dog regarding the rehabilitation period.

What is the prognosis?

Severe swelling contributes to the compression of the nervous tissue. Against this background, there is a deterioration in blood supply. The access of oxygen to the affected tissue is disrupted, and the nerve cells die.

The prognosis depends on the degree of compression. The larger the area of ​​damage to the nervous tissue, the worse it is.. If the animal has impaired defecation, there is no pain sensitivity, then the prognosis worsens.

Therefore, it is very important to notice the onset of the disease. You should immediately contact the veterinary clinic when the dog:

• very worried;
• hiding from the owner;
• squeals when her back is touched;
• refuses to play with other animals.

Preventive actions

It is better to take a puppy of any breed in your arms when descending.

Sooner or later, any dog ​​will have problems with the limbs. The task of the owner is to reduce the risk of developing dangerous diseases. To do this, follow the preventive recommendations.

Puppies of heavy breeds should be given chondroprotectors. Until the age of 12 months, this should be done constantly. Dachshunds and large dogs up to 10 months. you can't jump. Games with large adult animals are undesirable.

Before reaching six months old puppies of any breed should be carried on your hands during the descent.

• They rise on their own. it helps to strengthen the muscles .
• Animals prone to dysplasia are shown periodic x-ray examination . This will help to detect the disease in a timely manner.
• It is important to provide your pet sufficient level of physical activity . Their excess is just as harmful as the lack of activity.
• Dog nutrition should be balanced . Until the age of six months, the animal should be given special food for young dogs. The pet's diet should be saturated with vitamins and other substances necessary for the body.

• It is important to protect your dog from drafts. Otherwise, there is a risk of catching a cold of the spine.
• It is desirable to minimize the risk of injury. This will avoid the development of dangerous pathologies.

Keep your dog away from drafts.

Video about hind leg failure in dogs

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 (especially often unbalanced or excessive feeding is 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.