Dogs Back Legs Crossing Over When Walking

Hind leg weakness in senior or old dogs canine degenerative myelopathy also referred to as dm is the most common reason why older dogs develop progressive weakness in their back legs.

Dogs back legs crossing over when walking. My dog is crossing her back legs having trouble getting up when lying down breathing heavily wining and won t go up or down the stairs anymore. Inner ear infections are a common cause of dogs losing their balance. When dogs become weak in their back legs gradually over time it s mostly linked to genetics and this usually happens in older dogs. They usually occur in dogs over eight years of age.

When your dog s hind legs suddenly go weak there could be any number of causes says veterinarian dr. Also her spine seems to be more prominent when petting her and she has lost about 7 pounds. What can make a dog s back legs weak or cause a dog s back legs to give out. Every test they did came back normal.

In severe cases the dog becomes wobbly when he walks and can even fall over when trying to turn. Many dogs need support for secondary symptoms such as nausea vomiting and dehydration. Signs of wobblers syndrome often begin with a mild unsteady gait in the dog s hind legs. Dog s back legs weak.

I took her to the vet and 400 later they have told me nothing. It may have trouble getting up from a sitting or lying position and easily falls over if it loses its balance. As dm becomes more advanced in early late stage dm uncontrolled jerkiness of the rear legs and tail signals that the nerve impulses are going haywire and short circuiting. I came home late from work last night and my dog started walking oddly.

Often there may be redness swelling discharge and odor associated with the. Symptoms of wobblers syndrome are progressive and show up gradually as the dog ages. Kicking out with the rear legs without reason will be observed along with the tail seeming to raise and lower as if the dog is preparing to defecate. Previous to that she wasn t having any problems she keeps crossing her back legs and is walking a bit like she s drunk.

That s a question i had to answer recently for the anxious parents of a middle aged labrador retreiver. Symptoms of a weakness in your dog s back legs may come on suddenly or develop slowly over a long period of time depending on the reason for the weakness. As with any canine health issue having a copy of the dog s medical history is invaluable for vets. Other symptoms include head shaking and scratching eye flicking walking in circles.

Initially a dog with dm may wobble or sway a bit when standing still. A veterinarian explains four possible causes of sudden weakness in your dog s back legs and what you must do. This wobbly unsteadiness often spreads to the front legs. Often there are other signs that can help lead to a diagnosis so take note of any physical or behavioral changes that occur.

She s eating and drinking normally and not vomiting. She is standing with legs splayed as well she hasn t hit her head or fallen and she s not acting oddly other than the strange walking.