How do I know my dog has issues with proprioception?
The signs a dog is dragging their paws are fairly apparent. Dogs that knuckle under will walk on the top of their paw. and often drag their nails while walking causing the nails to wear unevenly. When walking your dog on pavement listen for sounds of dragging nails. If you notice any of these signs it’s likely your dog has proprioception issues.
First you should speak to your veterinarian and set up a time for them to examine your pup. A simple test your vet may try is to flip your dog’s back paw so that he is standing on the top of his foot. If your dog corrects their paw to stand normally, then your dog has a normal perception of their paw placement. A dog who does not correct their foot and adjust to stand normally, likely has problems with proprioception.
Causes for Dragging Paws and Knuckling in Dogs
Most pets drag their paws and knuckle under due to an underlying neuro condition. Here are a few of the most common conditions that cause dogs to drag their paws:
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.
