Causes of Back Leg Weakness in Dogs
The reasons behind a weakness in your dog’s back legs can vary. While obvious trauma can weaken muscles and tissues, and age can contribute to the degeneration of muscles and joints, other conditions can wreak havoc on the spinal cord, nerves, and hormones. Causes of a back leg weakness can include:
Treatment of Back Leg Weakness in Dogs
Treatments can vary considerably, and will be prescribed appropriately after the diagnosis. Any injuries will be treated according to the severity of the trauma. Surgery might be recommended for many conditions, but for others such as degenerative myelopathy, intervertebral disc disease, Wobblers syndrome, cancer, or Cushing’s disease, medical management may be preferred. Wobbler syndrome can also be managed with anti-inflammatory drugs. Many conditions will need rest, either before or after surgery, which may require cage confinement. Pain medications are often prescribed for many spinal diseases and arthritis. Cancer often uses a variety of treatments to remove or reduce the tumor along with surgery, such as radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy.
Cushings disease can also be managed through the use of hormone drugs to balance levels in the body. Diabetes will need lifelong management through special diets and exercise plans, blood glucose monitoring, and daily insulin injections. Arthritic animals can also benefit from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, and glycosaminoglycan supplementation, as well as changes in your dog’s environment to aid in rest and ease of movement. Various alternative therapies, such as massage, cold laser, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy can help as well.
Botulism is treated mainly through supportive care, including fluid and electrolyte therapy. Any infected wounds are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and medication can be prescribed if symptoms worsen, such as in the case of seizures. Therapies for other types of poisonings, such as from chemicals or plants, can include administering activated charcoal or mineral oil to reduce toxin absorption in the stomach, various medications to treat specific symptoms, and supportive treatments. Curious about which health plan is right for your dog? Head over to Forbes breakdown of the best pet insurance plans.
Worried about the cost of Back Leg Weakness treatment?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
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Does Your Puppy Have Weak Back Legs? Everything to know…
Home / Pet Care News and Blog / 5 Causes Of Weakness In Back Legs Of DogsYour Kitchener Vet | © 2022 Kingsdale Animal Hospital chevron-downtwitter-squarefacebook-squaretwitterfacebookenvelopelinkedinxinginstagrampaper-planepinterest-pwhatsappcrossmenuarrow-3-down-bottomArrow-1-Up-Topdelete-disabled-crossmenu-burger-square6arrow-location-directionMobileemail-letter-square