Dog is limping on his back legs.

1. 49

   ark2010posted 14 years ago

   Hi there I have a Border collie who is about 8 years old and isn't neutered.
   
   This morning he began to limp on his back legs - predominantly on his left leg. He seem to want to avoid weight on his back left leg as well, but the right is the main one.
   Does anyone know why this would be? Muscle strain, or tendon sprain?
   He doesn't show any obvious signs of injury and isn't yelping when i extend his limbs or inspect his joints.
   He has had trouble with his prostate before but I don't know the signs unfortunately as at the time i was away at university.
   
   He doesn't have any discharge from his penis as I read on another site that this maybe a sign of it. But the fact he is avoiding weight on both seems to be an indicator.
   
   Any help would be really appreciated. I would rush him to the vets but my mum's husband died recently as has left us in a difficult financial position, and vets are so expensive.
   
   Thank you in advance.

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   1. 68

      Arthur Fontesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      
      
      First, even though a vet is expensive that would be the only way to accurately determine what could be happening to your dog.
      
      My experience.  The dog could have twisted or injured a leg.  Does he do a lot of high jumping?
      
      He could be developing arthritis, only a vet can prescribe the right medications to give him.
      
      He could also be developing hip dysplasia, once again a vet is the only way to know for sure.
      
      You could try giving him glucosamine, you can find it at any pet store.  Do not let him sleep on the cold ground.
      
      My GSD sometimes limps when he first gets up,  I have changed his diet to a more protein rich and less wheat and corn food.  Some food brands have glucosamine in the mix.  I also stretch my GSD's limbs before we go on strenuous walks.  He loves it as I also rub his belly as i am stretching him.  This has improved his limping.
      
      I hope some of this has helped, there may also be a non-profit veterinary practice in your area.  Try and research to find one.

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      Winter Maclenposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Contact the vet to see if he ripped the ACL, a group of muscles in the knee. It's common in larger dogs that are very active. The surgery isn't cheap. But out old guy went through it and came out beautifully. The key is to make sure you follow the recovery instructions to the letter.

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   paradigmsearchposted 14 years ago

   Has he been outside?
   
   Thorn(s), etc. in paw(s)?
   
   Paw(s) dry, cracked, or injured in some other way?
   
   Any bruising anywhere from being hit by car?
   
   Just thinking out loud...

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3. 49

   ark2010posted 14 years ago

   Thank you both for your swift replies. I really appreciate it.
   
   He is quite jumpy usually, yes, so maybe he has done something to it that way. Him and the postman don't get on to well...
   Hip dysplacia is a possibility as i think its quite common in the breed. Also arthritus again could be a possiblity.
   
   Would it be ok to wait a day and see how it is tomorrow do you think? If its muscular it should show some sign of  repair is my thinking.
   
   Hasn't been outside today, was just getting ready to walk him and noticed that he was trailing behind me to the door and that his leg(s) were limping - poor thing still wanted to go out though hehe..
   Paws are all fine, i can't see anything in them, or any cuts.
   
   I think you are right though, if he hasn't shown any improvement it will be a case of going to the vet.

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4. 84

   Whitney05posted 14 years ago

   At the dog's age, it could be arthritis, or something related to old age. I would strongly urge you to see a vet for xrays.
   
   Because you're not a vet, it's hard to do self exams on pets at home... If you don't know how to perform it properly, you can cause more damage, depending on what is wrong.
   
   Limping can be a simple issue that requires an anti-inflammatory and rest, or it can be something more serious. I wouldn't give it too long before deciding to go to the vet.

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5. 0

   Will Bensonposted 14 years ago

   I'm sorry to hear about your pet's problems.
   
   If he shows tenderness when you pat him on the back (above the hips) then maybe it's arthritis or hip displasia. Anyway, a vet should be consulted. You might contact your local pet shelter or vet and ask if there's financial aid available for someone in your situation.
   
   Good luck to you and your pet.

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      seanorjohnposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I looked after a border collie. She was much older and occasionally her back leg would go. It turned out she was having fits. This is hopefully not the case with your dog. If you live in the Uk a vet from the pdsa will advise you. Have you tried googling for help on animal welfare forums. Wishing you and your collie the best.

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6. 67

   psycheskinnerposted 14 years ago

   You need to go to the vet.  It could be anything from plain arthritis to a tumor on the spine.

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7. 82

   CarolineChicagoposted 14 years ago

   Our Great Pyrenee has arthritis very similar to what you described. Hers goes away in the spring and returns overnight with cold weather in the fall. I would take her to the vet just to be sure. The vet should be able to tell if it is arthritis without expensive x-rays. Good luck!

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8. 61

   libby101aposted 14 years ago

   Wow! There are so many things it could be... from hip dysplacia to toenails needing cut...
   
   One thing I want to suggest is to take him to the vet! There's no way you can do anything on your own! If it is hip dysplacia then he needs care. My chocolate lab had hip dysplacia in both hips... resulting in surgery.. a total reconstruct of the hip!
   
   My lab started out limping...then it gradually went to where she was dragging her leg.
   
   It may not be anything serious! But I'd get it checked out ASAP! I never could stand to see my pets in pain!
   
   Good Luck!

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9. 60

   COLONELpateposted 13 years ago

   I suggest you get a dog wheel chair. They're not too expensive at $100 or so. That way, until you can afford a vet, the dog won't have much pain on his walks with you. He may need one for the rest of his life for he is a senior dog and those sort of physical problems only worsen with age.

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10. 61

    Pamela Sarzanaposted 13 years ago

    You need to take your pet to the Vet immediately. It could be Hip problems , it could be Kidney problems.
    
    It could be any number of things . Obviously it is  causing a great deal of pain. And needs to be addressed by a qualified  Vet.
    
    Waiting can, and most likely will end up causing you more money in the long run, if you let it go on.
    
    Waiting will increase your pets down time and healing process. And make complicate the problem making it much worse for you...and your pet.

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11. 67

    psycheskinnerposted 13 years ago

    This post is 7 months old so I suspect it has worked out by now, one way or another.

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    MarloByDesignposted 13 years ago

    It could be disk disease - please take your dog to a dog neurologist.

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    holisticpuppyfoodposted 13 years ago

    Wow can't believe people are still posting on this considering how old it is. But what the hay, could have been hip displeasa doubt I spelled that right

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14. 38

    Maya Delmarposted 8 years ago

    This could be indicative of so so so many problems... hip dysplasia.. herniated disc... arthritis.. or even more serious problems such as cancer or a tumor. When my dog began limping it turned out she had torn her ACL (just like the way humans do). The tear was moderate enough that we were able to treat her naturally without surgery, although many dogs do have to get surgery to fix the knee. The longer the wait the more risk there is of the injury worsening and being harder to fix, or creating more problems for you and your dog down the line. One thing we used in her recovery process was a dog knee brace from Ortocanis. I was able to stabilize the knee while she was on bedrest, giving the knee the best chance at recovering on its own. For us it worked, however my dog is older and maybe if she was younger when this happened, we would have operated. Some arthritis has set in now but it's to be expected of a dog her size/age with her past injury.

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    ptosisposted 8 years ago

    Check for ticks, that would cause it also. The paralysis tick injects a toxin into its host dog or cat as it feeds. Tick-bite paralysis can take place after being bitten by only one tick. Conversely, not all animals, infested or not, will develop tick paralysis.
    

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