What should you do if your German Shepherd's back legs fail? Why and what to do if a dog loses its paws? The dog's hind legs are weak.

Very often on dog breeders’ forums and in requests to veterinarians, you can come across a group of questions related to the problem when dogs’ hind legs fail. This problem is in most cases associated with neurological abnormalities and small and medium-sized dog breeds are especially susceptible to it. However, these are not all the reasons for such a terrible consequence; it happens that, for example, a dog falls on its hind legs for no apparent reason. Why this occurs, what to do and what treatment is needed, we will consider in this article.

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Symptoms of Hind Leg Failure in Dogs

First and most common symptom The precursor to hind leg failure in dogs is pain. This is often associated with a neurological disorder in the spinal column, so the animal will experience pain and discomfort especially when moving or suddenly changing position. A little later, muscle weakness and lack of nerve impulse may occur, as a result of which the pet cannot move. After this, all pain sensitivity disappears and the dog, roughly speaking, no longer feels its limbs.

It is important to note that all of the above symptoms can either increase gradually, appearing after a certain time, or arise suddenly, for example, during a walk. The occurrence of all these symptoms can be caused by a sudden movement during the game or a sharp push. Also, initial symptoms can very quickly develop into complications. For example, in the morning a dog may feel pain, and by the evening its hind legs may be paralyzed.

No dog owner is immune from such an unpleasant disease, but breeds with elongated bodies, such as dachshunds, as well as brachycephalic breeds (pugs, Pekingese and others) are especially at risk.

Causes and diseases leading to hind leg failure

There can be many reasons why a dog's hind legs fail. Therefore, most often, owners whose dogs have this problem are lost and do not know what to do. Many people note in bewilderment that in the morning or yesterday their pet was running around briskly, playing and having fun, but in the evening or today it’s already pulling. back body and cannot get up. Let us immediately note that some dog breeds have a genetic tendency, so the problem may be hidden. As a rule, in this case, the paws fail between the ages of 3 and 8 years.

But we should also not forget that limb failure may be due to a long-standing injury or untreated damage. For example, tendon sprains, fractures, and bruises often affect nerves. Arthritis and arthrosis, tumor formations on bones and joints also cause pinching. Among the reasons, specific diseases also play an important role. Let's talk about this in more detail.

Injuries and pinched nerves

These are perhaps the most common and, so to speak, simplest reasons. A simple unfortunate fall or sudden movement can cause pinched nerves and tissue damage. Discopathies, intervertebral hernia- all this is the result of inattentive or late treatment of the injury, which can lead to failure of the hind legs. Not the last place in this group is occupied by spinal pathology, during which the innervation of the limbs is disrupted.

Degenerative diseases of the spine

Often, during an injury or due to improper physical activity, the structure of the spinal column is disrupted. As a result, its oxygen supply deteriorates and cells die. The spinal cord is affected, resulting in paralysis and complete failure of the paws. Due to poor metabolism in the spinal cord, spondylosis or local aging of its segments may occur. On X-ray examination, this disease often appears as beak-like growths on the spine.

Tumors in the spine

The same injuries, bruises, sprains can cause tumor processes. They are dangerous because they lead to pathologies in the spinal cord, paralyzing the limbs. In addition to hind leg failure, dogs may experience arched backs, gait disturbances, and work impairments. internal organs, pain. Stable excessive loads on the spine can cause deformation of its joints and, as a result, spinal hernia.

Scheme of damage to vertebral discs during discopathy

Discopathy

This is another one of the most common reasons that dogs may have hind limb failure. This disease is associated with intervertebral discs, when their substance compresses the spinal cord, disrupting its function. This results in a neurological deficit. Most often, this manifestation occurs in large, middle-aged dogs and develops over a very long period (from several months to several years).

It is important to note that French bulldogs are especially susceptible to discopathy due to their structure and the very strong load on the spine. At the same time, disc prolapse in these dogs can occur not only during movement, but also at rest.

Dysplasia

Dysplasia is another very common cause of hind limb failure. Dogs are predisposed to it large breeds, so they need to undergo regular x-ray examinations. With this disease, paralysis hind legs does not occur suddenly, but is manifested by certain symptoms. At first there are difficulties in movement, pain, and gait disturbance. Without proper attention, the disease progresses to an advanced, complex stage.

Treatment

Of course, in order to help your pet, you need to know exactly the cause of the disease, and for this you need to contact veterinary clinic. It is advisable to get an appointment immediately with a doctor specializing in neurology. Even simple lameness or difficulty getting up can be a reason to visit the veterinarian. Do not think that this is a short-term phenomenon that will go away on its own. It’s good if so, but this could also be the first sign of very serious illnesses.

If your pet is injured, jumps unsuccessfully, or pulls a muscle, do not delay going to the veterinarian. Only competent treatment can save the dog from subsequent negative manifestations. It is strictly forbidden to use painkillers without a doctor's recommendation. Moreover, the pain will limit the animal’s movement, which means the risk of even greater injury will be eliminated.

Remember that only a timely visit to a specialist and a competent approach to treatment will help to fully get the dog back on its feet. Otherwise, help may be ineffective and then your pet will only have one sentence - a stroller. Depending on the diagnosis and cause of the disease, the veterinarian may prescribe treatment medications, massage, certain physical activities, diet, etc.

First aid for a pet

Regardless of the nature of the injury, its extent or signs, it is important to get your pet to the clinic as soon as possible. At the same time, you cannot force him to go if you still motor function feasible. Pick up the dog or place it in the car and take it to the veterinarian. The specialist must establish the integrity of paw sensitivity, check for pain, the presence of injuries and pathologies. The doctor may also take blood and urine tests for additional information.

If your dog's back legs are giving out, you should restrain him on a strong, hard surface. Any medications, including painkillers, cannot be given. It is important to carefully deliver the dog to the veterinary clinic as quickly as possible without unnecessary shaking.

As for the veterinarian's advice, it all boils down to a couple of very basic rules:

• do not engage in treatment on your own, do not undertake any courses or methods of treatment on your own;
• an experienced specialist should do X-ray examination and myelography to assess the situation;
• carry out timely prevention especially for those dogs that are by nature prone to spinal pathologies and dysplasia.

Video: Paralysis of the hind legs in dogs

If your pet cannot walk due to paralysis of its hind legs, all is not lost. There is always hope!

Owners often come to the veterinary clinic complaining that their dog’s hind legs are being lost. Each of them describes the symptoms in their own way: the pet is limping, has a hunched back, drags its paws, and has paralysis.

Introduction

There is no single reason that can cause such symptoms. Dog veterinary evidence suggests that the first step in treatment should be qualified diagnosis. To know how to treat, you need to know what to treat. And you can’t do this without a trip to the veterinarian.

Individual pathologies when a dog loses its hind legs include age and breed predisposition. Thus, pugs, poodles, English and dachshunds and Pekingese have a predisposition to the destruction or displacement of intervertebral

Discopathy

This pathology is quite serious and can pose a threat to the life of a pet. As the disc shifts, it compresses. Outwardly, this will manifest itself in periodic attacks. severe pain: the pet freezes in one position (usually with a hunched back and an outstretched neck), shortness of breath appears, severe trembling, the hind legs weaken and give way.

Scientists have not yet fully identified the reasons why the strength of the intervertebral disc decreases in dachshunds. A genetic predisposition has been established in some dog breeding lines. Due to the mutual pressure of the vertebrae on each other, the nucleus pulposus moves into the thickness of the fibrous ring and subsequently leaves its limits, entering the paravertebral space. The fibrous ring on the side of the passing spinal canal has the least strength, and therefore parts of the destroyed disc are usually displaced in this direction. This causes compression of what lies here spinal cord, as well as his nerves.

If the compression of the spinal cord is not so clearly expressed, then clinically it will only manifest itself in this way - the dog’s hind legs have failed. The pet drags them along, trying to transfer the weight of the body to the forelimbs. He tries to jump onto a chair (sofa, armchair), but he can’t. Can't bend over to the floor or bowl. If there is a suspicion of discopathy, you need to go for a qualified diagnosis and prepare for treatment, up to surgical intervention. Compression of the spinal cord can cause irreversible changes in the body, when therapeutic measures are 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 lesion The occurrence of this pathology can be influenced by many things: heredity, overweight of the puppy, unbalanced diet, etc.

Causes of dysplasia

There have been many scientific debates regarding the causation 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 hip joint.

The second theory is based on the assumption 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 is shown by the first theory.

There is a third theory in the world of geneticists. 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 influence each other in different ways.

The general conclusion of experts: disease is a classic example of a quantitative trait, which is influenced by many genes (polygeny), and in this case there are many factors environment have their impact on the final formation and manifestation of symptoms. The clinical manifestation of dysplasia, when a dog loses its hind legs, does not occur 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 partner for mating, you should study the pedigree for the presence of ancestors with dysplasia. It should be noted that the disease can be transmitted to descendants through fourteen generations.

Swedish dog veterinary medicine has clearly proven 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 disease is very high. The dog carries a huge load. It gives the body a pushing force from the hind limbs when moving. And during this push, the joint extends and moves the head of the femur along the entire acetabulum. Particularly high friction occurs in the joint when the animal, standing on its hind legs, jumps or walks.

If the hip joints are affected, then weakness of the hind legs will appear immediately after a period of rest (during the morning rise) and will decrease with physical activity. Also, this lesion is rarely symmetrical; the dog will begin to “fall” on only one paw.

Myositis

In middle-aged dogs after too large physical activity the next day, muscle inflammation may develop - myositis. Due to overexertion, tearing, rupture, disintegration of muscle fibers and hemorrhage into the thickness of the muscles can occur. Due to the damage, traumatic swelling develops, and with significant rupture of 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 a “stilted gait” or weakness of the hind limbs; the dog will limp on its hind leg. Treatment of dogs with such a disease will not cause great difficulties, but only

Osteochondrosis

Another disease that can cause your pet to have problems with its hind legs. The main reason is a violation of cartilage mineralization. Typical for large breed puppies. Osteochondrosis is a multifactorial disease. Nutrition and genetics play key roles. Cartilage separation in this pathology is most often observed in the joints subject to the greatest load (hip). The result will be lameness, the dog will be limping on its hind leg.

Fractures

This pathology is often found among large breed puppies. And many owners consider injury to be the cause. The dog presses his back paw and cannot lean on it. Reacts painfully to touch. In most cases, a fracture occurs with minimal external impact. This type of injury is called a pathological fracture and indicates 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 appoint proper diet. The best option- use ready-made feed, balanced in the content of phosphorus, calcium, vitamins D and A. An excess of these substances will delay bone healing.

Old age

Older dog falling on his hind legs? This may be due to a malfunction of the brain. According to the observations of veterinarians, this most often happens due to various vascular problems, less often - the reason is the presence of brain tumors. Proper treatment in this case can significantly improve the pet’s well-being and prolong its life for years.

What should be distinguished from

Kidney problems cannot be the reason why a dog loses its hind legs and has a hunched body unless the pet is extremely malnourished with autointoxication. But in this case, the weakness will spread to the entire muscular system.

What not to do

The most common mistake owners make when identifying hind limb weakness is self-treating dogs with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac, indomethacin, aspirin, etc.). Clinical improvements observed by owners following the use of these medicines They are only temporary in nature, but they hide the underlying disease well, which significantly complicates the correct diagnosis of the disease, due to which the dog’s hind legs are lost. 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.

When getting a four-legged friend, every owner should know that many health problems that they may have to face are related to their paws. No animal is immune from injury or illness, and depending on the breed, your pet may suffer from the following:

1. paw injuries
2. spinal injury
3. joint dysplasia
4. lumps or tumors

Fighting is a traumatic activity.

Most often, the paws of large dogs suffer due to street fights, improper training, and ice. It’s enough to unluckily jump off the sofa, fall down the steps, or be accidentally crushed by the owners. So the size of the dog only affects the cause of dislocations, bruises, sprains and broken paws.

Sprains and bruises

When a dog suffers a sprain or bruise, it usually limps on the injured leg, and the injured joint may be swollen. The animal steps on its paw with fear. After sleep he may whine.

It is not necessary to call a doctor; if there is a bruise, you need to apply a cold compress for 30 minutes on the 1st day. every 2 hours. On the 2-3rd day, warm up a heating pad, a sock with warm salt, with a blue lamp.

And when stretched, an elastic bandage is applied. Active games are not allowed.

Dislocations and fractures

Both dislocations and fractures are very dangerous, and you have to solve this problem yourself absolutely not possible. In a dislocation, the bone protrudes out of the joint. The tissue around the joint swells, but unlike a sprain, the dog cannot stand on its paw. Only a veterinarian can properly set the joint back into place. If the fracture is open, then the bone is visible from the outside. When a dog has a closed paw fracture, the injured limb looks shorter than the other.

In both cases, you need to fix the paw, possibly securing the dog to the shield. Apply cold to the damaged area and give the animal analgin. And deliver to the veterinary clinic as quickly as possible.

Spinal problems

A sick spine means weak paws.

Usually a frightened owner calls the veterinary clinic with the words: “The dog’s paws are missing!” and a request to explain what happened to the pet. In such cases, it is worth remembering the variety of causes and possible consequences.

When a dog just has a problem, it is very important to follow all the veterinarian’s instructions on time. However, usually the most the right way To determine the exact cause is to undergo appropriate tests and x-rays. And if a dog’s hind legs fail, the most common reason for this is usually spinal cord injury.

Predisposition

The likelihood of the disease occurring is greater in small and medium-sized breeds. These include primarily dachshunds, and after them - brachycephalic breeds - dogs with a short neck, round head, flat muzzle and flattened nose (Pekingese, bulldog). Genetically, representatives of these breeds are predisposed to this disease. Problems with intervertebral disc damage can begin between the ages of 3 and 8 years. However, even the best education and care does not guarantee ideal health.

But you should not think that representatives of such large breeds as Great Danes, German Shepherds, Rottweilers and others are not susceptible to such diseases. Their ability to “make themselves and their owner happy” with such a disease usually manifests itself against the background of other diseases at a more respectful age. The development of the disease in these breeds occurs much more slowly; initially the dog is lame on one of its hind legs and the owner can have time to react to the disease.

Symptoms of neurological disorders

Before the hind limbs fail, there is a gradual increase in symptoms; the following picture can be observed. The dog starts to get sick not the back, but the paws. Initially, it may be a slight pain, and then the dog cannot step on its hind paw and limps. Then weakness appears in the limbs, and then the dog’s paws begin to shake and give way. Lastly, gradual numbness occurs. After this, the hind legs give out, and no amount of begging will help raise the pet to its feet.

Reasons

It is clear that a very noisy and active baby can not only distract from work, wet the rug in the hallway and damage furniture, but also harm himself. This is possible during active pastime, when the dog can fall from a height, slip, or get injured during a fight, sharp turns, or while running. Accordingly, the dog is injured by mechanical damage, namely spinal cord compression. The oxygen supply, normal blood flow and useful substances. Swelling occurs, and the compressed cells can die and disrupt the passage of impulses that control the function of the limbs. In the worst case scenario, the spinal cord may even rupture.

If a dog is genetically predisposed, several types of diseases are possible:

1. Osteochondrosis – disruption of the functioning of intervertebral discs and joints occurs due to problems with blood microcirculation, genetic developmental defects or manifestations of previous injuries;
2. Degenerative diseases - develop as a consequence of metabolic disorders in the tissues of the spine, which is fraught with dangerous disease the entire spine and complex treatment;
3. Tumors - develop in the vertebrae, which is dangerous for the spinal cord and signaling nerves, up to a fracture of the spinal column.

Due to their age, large dogs are susceptible to diseases such as spondylosis. This is a disease of gradual aging of the vertebrae. All parts of the vertebra are slowly damaged; at first, the dog occasionally squats on its hind limbs, and after a while they fail. But it is almost impossible to avoid this process due to its naturalness.

How dangerous is this?

Depending on how strong and how long the negative impact on the spine occurred, the external manifestations of the disease are more pronounced. The degree of danger of damage can be seen based on the dog's behavior. The first stage will be visible by a disturbance in gait (lameness), trembling of the paws, and reluctance to stand up. The extreme degree of damage is visible with complete loss of sensitivity and failure of the hind legs.

What to do if symptoms appear?

It is worth understanding that regardless of the characteristics of external signs, it is necessary to go to the veterinary clinic as quickly as possible. You cannot treat your pet yourself, this can significantly worsen the situation. until his death. Respond immediately at the first sign of changed behavior. As soon as there is a reaction to pain when changing position, lameness, yelping, you need to take the dog to the veterinarian, otherwise delay can cause serious consequences.

If a dog suffers a spinal injury, it should not be transported in the usual way. It should be secured to a stationary surface (for example, a board) with straps or bandages. Self-administration of painkillers is not allowed, since the pain causes the dog to stop unnecessarily resisting during transportation. In a veterinary clinic, the pet’s health will largely depend on the professionalism of the specialists.

Joint dysplasia

Shepherd dogs, Great Danes, retrievers and others have a dangerous predisposition to a disease of the hip joints - dysplasia, in which they are destroyed. The disease usually begins to develop between 12 and 18 months. The reason is the puppy's rapid growth and heavy weight. Such a large load on the joints leads to their destruction. You can see the dog limping, a symptom that appears as early as two years of age.

Reasons

Hip dysplasia is the scourge of large breeds.

In this case, most large breed dogs have a genetic predisposition. A lot depends on the professionals who breed dogs for sale. It is important that they carefully cull sick animals and do not allow them to reproduce.

Dogs that do not have ancestors with this disease are much less likely to inherit diseased joints. However, improper care is possible. This especially applies to compassionate owners who surround their pets with excessive attention. In this case, the owner reacts to every manifestation of the puppy’s excitement: “He’s hungry!” Or the reluctance to devote time to the baby is manifested in filling the dog's bowl with goodies. Since the baby does not control his appetite, and the owners do not establish the correct regime, he begins to rapidly gain weight.

If food is provided within normal limits, then it is worth checking not the quantity, but the quality of the food. Scientists have found that the lack of the correct proportions of phosphorus and calcium in a pet's food also causes dysplasia. And this is very common when using cheap dry food or excessive use of meat as the main dish.

Symptoms

In most cases, the external manifestation of the disease occurs gradually. Before lameness appears, the dog simply often lies on the floor, with its hind legs pointing in different directions. While running, the dog's paws shake or it runs like a rabbit, pushing off with both paws. By touching the thigh, you can get the impression that the dog is having leg cramps, which causes it to whine.

Treatment

If such symptoms appear, you should immediately contact a veterinary clinic, rather than wait until the limbs completely fail. Doesn't exist drug treatment that allows you to get rid of dysplasia. There is only a suspension of its development. The only option for a complete recovery is an expensive operation.

Lumps and tumors

It is worth understanding that lumps and tumors are radically different. Thus, tumors in the form of dark skin growths are found on the paws of large dogs. They form directly on the bone, affecting mainly the forelimbs. At the same time, the dogs begin to limp and refuse to get up for a morning walk. They usually appear externally at the age of 6 years.

A lump on the paw can have different origins. If it goes away in a few days, then there is no need to do anything else, it just had a character mild inflammation. Otherwise, the lump is dangerous because it falls into one of two categories. If its growth is slow and it is located in only one place, then the tumor is benign. Malignant tumor- These are cancers that grow quickly and affect other tissues. They can bleed by breaking through the tissue.

Treatment

If a tumor or lump appears that does not go away within 2-3 days, you should contact a veterinarian. The dog’s health will depend on the speed of action and the ability to cut out the formation with the least possible consequences. That's why you need to take care of your pet responsibly to keep it healthy and able to for many years please its owners.

Video. Hip dysplasia in dogs

It happens that a dog's hind legs suddenly give out. What to do in such cases? First of all, there is no need to panic - watch the animal and evaluate its general well-being. If a dog feels bad, it refuses food and water, has lost interest in the world around it, and there is no point in self-medicating. You need to seek help and call a veterinarian to your home.

If a dog's hind legs fail, there may be various reasons. Until the diagnosis is clarified, it is not worth taking the animal to the clinic or anywhere else. If an animal drags its hind or forelimbs, it may have a spinal injury, in which transportation is strictly contraindicated. If the animal walks, eats and drinks normally, the temporary physiological disorder will go away on its own. Most likely, the dog is simply tired after a long walk or active training.

Causes of the disease

An animal's paws may fail for the following reasons:

Puppies

It happens that the legs give out in very young puppies. If a dog has been walking on its hind legs since birth, it may have birth defects, such as cerebral palsy. Therefore, when choosing a puppy from a kennel, you must pay attention to how they walk and run.

The puppy may also fall on its paws due to rickets. Rickets is a disease that occurs quite often in dogs that were weaned from their bitches early or were kept in care since birth. artificial feeding(for example, in the case of the death of a mother during childbirth). Rickets is a disease that is caused by a lack of vital vitamins and minerals in the puppy’s body. . The disease manifests itself as follows:

• Uncertain, shaky gait;
• Restless sleep of puppies;
• Restless behavior (the puppy constantly squeals, whines, refuses to eat, or, conversely, eats a lot, but still loses weight);
• The baby has a sunken chest and a protruding stomach.

If you organize proper feeding for your puppy, the problem with rickets will disappear by itself. Gradually the puppy will get stronger and catch up with its peers in development.

Animals that are born with weak muscles can also fall on their hind legs. Usually, when a dog grows up, the muscles become stronger and the gait becomes firmer.

Pregnant dogs

Pregnant bitches in the last months of bearing puppies may also fall a little on their paws. This happens in cases where the puppies in the mother's womb are very large, and it is difficult for the dog to carry its huge belly. Usually a bitch pregnant with large puppies moves little, is reluctant to eat and drink, and everything free time spends lying on the mat. The dog can also fall on its hind legs immediately before giving birth, during contractions, in order to relieve pain.

Treatment

Just yesterday the pet was cheerful, cheerful, frolicked on walks and infected everyone in the household with his ebullient energy. And today the paws of a German shepherd, pug or alabai gave out. What to do? If the animal lies for several hours in a row and does not get up (but does not sleep), you need to offer the dog something to eat and see how it reacts to the food.

You can also carry out simple diagnostics at home. When a dog is so exhausted that he walks on his own and does not ask to go for a walk, you need to pay attention to the color of his urine. Paw failure often occurs in animals suffering from urolithiasis. This happens especially often in French bulldogs: they have weak kidneys and are very susceptible to such infections. Treatment for paresis of the hind limbs can be different, for example:

Prevention measures

In order for a dog to live long and please its owner with its excellent health, the animal must be promptly vaccinated against dangerous infections. During a walk, you need to completely exclude your pet from interacting with stray dogs, because they are most often the main spreaders of infections. Also for the prevention of plague and rabies, dogs should not be allowed to dig through garbage bins while walking. This habit must be weaned from a very tender age, as soon as an inquisitive animal begins to show interest in the trash heap.

To prevent mechanical injuries to paws, walks with animals should only be carried out in specially designated places, that is, on dog parks or in parks with walking paths for animals. You should not take your pet to the forest or to the river, especially to places where people often have picnics. In thick grass, a dog can easily cut its paw on a broken bottle or other sharp object, left behind by unlucky "tourists".

If the owner takes the pet with him fishing, under no circumstances should he leave small fish on the ground. fishing hooks. By stepping on a hook, the animal can get serious injury. After each walk, you need to inspect the animal’s paws and wipe them with a clean cloth. You should also inspect your paws while bathing.

To prevent falls at home, locks must be installed on all plastic windows. You can train your dog in sports such as jumping or steeplechase only at a dog park, under the guidance of a professional dog handler. If the animal shows interest in jumping, you should not leave your pet unattended for a minute while walking. Even a fall from a small garden bench can cause paresis of the hind limbs.

In order for puppies to grow strong and healthy, it is necessary to provide them with proper feeding. If the kittens were weaned from the bitch early, it is necessary to include vitamin and mineral supplements in their diet. This will serve as an excellent prevention of rickets and will help strengthen the weak muscles of babies. It is also necessary to regularly give vitamins to older dogs and pregnant bitches.

If your dog's back legs suddenly give up, the reasons can be very different. The most important thing is not to get nervous ahead of time, but calmly see what happens next. If the animal is still eating well and is very active, most likely it is a simple splinter or scratch. But if the dog feels unwell, has become lethargic or, conversely, aggressive, you should not self-medicate. A qualified doctor will help you easily solve the problem. If it is not possible to call a doctor right away, you can consult by telephone at the amateur dog breeders club.

Attention, TODAY only!

Hind leg problems are one of the most common problems. Sometimes these are only minor injuries, but there are times when the pet begins to have serious problems with its hind legs. If your dog is pulling his back legs, this may indicate he has serious problems with health. What are the reasons for this phenomenon, and what to do if the dog pulls its hind legs?

Reasons

If your dog begins to pull his back legs, this may indicate limb failure. Therefore, it is important to determine what causes such a problem?

1. Injuries (sprains, tendon ruptures, fractures, peripheral nerve damage). This is the most common cause of hind leg failure.
2. Arthritis and arthrosis of the joints of the limbs.
3. Tumors.

If the dog does not have the above problems, then most likely the problem is due to certain diseases.

1. Disc herniation, discopathy. Breeds such as, and are especially predisposed to this disease. This pathology is a displacement of intervertebral discs and poses a serious threat to life.
2. Myositis is inflammation of the muscles. This disease most often affects middle-aged dogs after prolonged physical exertion. This disease is not life-threatening for the pet. However, it is still necessary to contact a veterinarian, since only a specialist will be able to distinguish myositis from damage to the spinal cord.
3. Problems with the vascular system. In older dogs, problems with the limbs may be associated with disorders of the brain, that is, have a central origin.
4. Valgus deformity of the hind limbs. This disease most often occurs in large breed puppies. The deformity is manifested by curvature of the bones of the lower leg and thigh, which subsequently prevents the dog from moving correctly. As a rule, the cause of valgus deformity of the hind limbs is improper feeding. A large amount of protein and carbohydrates in the diet leads to too rapid growth puppy and a significant increase in body weight. This leads to the fact that developing skeletal system the limbs cannot withstand too much stress, and, as a result, various deformations of the limbs occur.
5. Osteochondrosis. Dog breeds that are most predisposed to this disease are:. Osteochondrosis can occur due to genetic predisposition and improper feeding. If your puppy's diet contains too much calcium and phosphorus, he may develop this disease, so you need to carefully monitor your pet's diet.

What to do?

If the dog begins to pull its hind legs, you need to take this problem very carefully. In most cases, the problem of hind leg failure cannot be solved without the intervention of a veterinarian, and excessive delay in contacting the clinic can lead to negative consequences. What to do if your pet starts pulling its hind legs?

1. Analyze what exactly could have caused the failure of the hind legs in order to give the most accurate answer during a consultation with a veterinarian. You need to consider whether your pet has had any injuries or recent illnesses. Any information that may be even slightly related to the occurrence of such a problem should be reported to the doctor.
2. Contact a veterinary clinic. Whatever the reason for the failure of the hind legs, it is simply necessary to consult a veterinarian. Perhaps problems with paws are just a symptom of some more serious disease. Therefore, you should not put off visiting a doctor.
3. Analyze dog nutrition. One of the most common causes of problems with the hind limbs is an incorrect diet (with an excess of protein, calcium, phosphorus, etc.). On early stages For many diseases, nutritional correction can help get rid of the problem. Of course, before making any changes to your pet's diet, you should consult your veterinarian.

If your dog is pulling his hind legs, you should contact your veterinarian to determine the cause of the leg failure. If you provide your pet with quick and high-quality treatment, you can avoid the development of many serious diseases!