My Dog Has Arthritis In His Back Legs

Today thanks to advances in veterinary medicine and companion animal care many dogs are living to a ripe old age.

My dog has arthritis in his back legs. Shaking of the back legs in dogs can be due to pain from muscle bone joint or nerve issues as a result of trauma chronic condition such as degenerative joint disease or spinal disc disease. When your dog s hind legs suddenly go weak there could be any number of causes says veterinarian dr. Usually shaking is visibly noted when the dog has stood for a given period of time. In the end my evaluation of the dog s limbs showed a reduced range of motion in the hips the stifles knees were normal and there was no evidence of back pain when i pushed and probed along the spine.

As the dog gets older he may start developing symptoms of arthritis. The joints get swollen and this may hinder the dog from performing normal activities such as standing up running or walking up the stairs. The movements may be small or massive. The easy run becomes a stiff walk.

The jump to a favorite chair is no longer possible. As our dogs age things that were once second nature become an effort. A veterinarian explains four possible causes of sudden weakness in your dog s back legs and what you must do. A doggie wheelchair like the one featured in the video below from k9 carts can be great for walks around the block and other outdoor adventures for dogs with advanced backend mobility problems these carts can provide much needed stability helping to ensure that your dog won t fall over or have to drag and injure their paw s.

Loss of muscle maya borenstein for littlethings. You will observe your dog and seemingly out of nowhere the shakes start. Though arthritis cannot be cured there are various remedies and procedures that can help ease the pain for your pet. Lying down is accompanied by a deep groan.

Healthline differentiates between spasms twitches and tremors. Can affect the legs hips back. The dog now has problems getting up on the couch or going up the stairs or getting in the back of the suv symptom 6. I considered early arthritis in the hips as a possible explanation for the subtle signs the owner had observed.

If you have an older dog who has started to slow down on walks and has difficulty getting up and down the stairs arthritis may be the culprit. On the downside that longevity also increases the odds that. Arthritis treatment for dogs and cats. It also gives your dog the confidence and freedom to be more self.

Shaking of the back legs in your dog is relatively straightforward. Consult your veterinarian for advice if you believe your dog or cat is suffering from arthritis. The symptoms will develop gradually and the dog will become less active and the arthritis progresses. Jules benson bvsc and vp of veterinary services at petplan pet insurance.