Things to Consider When Your Dog Can’t Walk on Its Back Leg Suddenly
Lameness can happen gradually or all of a sudden. Gradual, progressive lameness is generally caused by an underlying condition, such as osteoarthritis, bone cancer, or neurological disease. Sudden lameness, on the other hand, is usually caused by some sort of acute injury.
Some common reasons your dog can’t walk on its back leg suddenly are:
In this article, however, we will take a closer look at some possible neurological explanations.
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) in Dogs
Sudden lameness in dogs is often attributed to intervertebral disc disease (IVDD). IVDD occurs when an intervertebral disc’s gel-like center becomes dry and brittle enough to rupture through the outer fibrous ring, compressing your dog’s spinal cord.
Depending on where the ruptured disc is located, either both of your dog’s back legs or all four of your dog’s legs would typically be affected. However, it is possible for IVDD to affect only one back leg, if the ruptured disc material is pressing on a nerve root.
IVDD is commonly referred to as a ruptured, herniated, bulging, or slipped disc. It can happen to any dog, but chondrodystrophic (short-legged) breeds, like dachshunds and French bulldogs, are the most predisposed.
Many dogs experience sudden lameness from a ruptured disc following physical activity, but it is not unusual for a dog to collapse from IVDD with no warning.
Generally, IVDD in dogs is a painful, progressive condition, and these are some warning signs:
A fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) is another likely neurological explanation as to why your dog can’t walk on its back leg suddenly. FCE occurs when a piece of fibrocartilage from an intervertebral disc breaks out into the bloodstream and wedges itself into a blood vessel, blocking blood flow to the spinal cord.
In most cases, symptoms associated with FCE are limited to one side of the body. And since FCE can occur mid-back, it is quite possible for only one back leg to be affected.
FCE is often referred to as a spinal cord stroke. It can happen to any dog, but spinal cord strokes are frequently seen in middle-aged, large-breed dogs and miniature schnauzers.
FCE usually occurs during exercise or mild trauma, such as landing awkwardly after jumping. Although dogs may cry out in pain, spinal cord strokes are not painful after the initial injury. Fortunately, the condition is not progressive, and prognosis is generally excellent.
Trademark signs that FCE has occurred in your dog are:
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