Question Dogs Rear Legs (shepherd, shepherds, biting, poop)

[sapphire-rose]

Has anyone an idea of dog leg problems? Our 10 year old Dalmation is exhibiting some strange symptoms. When she goes out to relieve herself. Her hind legs all of a sudden stretch out behind her and her belly is on the ground, she has a little difficulty getting back up. Takes a step or two and it happens again. Sometimes one leg first, then the other as well, sometimes both legs at the same time. At first we thought the grass might have gotten to tall for her, we mowed real low, but it is still happening. Any ideas would be appreciated. We will call the vet on monday, but I'm worried now. (vet's office is closed at this time). She also does not make any sound as if she is in pain.
Thank You.

[Keeper]

Could be arthritis or hip dysplasia. Bigger dogs tend to have one or the other when they get older. Their back legs will just give out when they are trying to pee or poop and they can't get back up. If it just started they have medication that can help.

[akck]

Another disease to check for is Degenerative Myelopathy, a spinal disease that causes the back legs not to work.

[Katie1]

My 2 cents...take her to the vet asap.....She could have a pinched nerve. So there are just tooo many things from simple to complicated! Good luck & keep us posted...

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

I know you're going to call the vet on Mon - probably wise to take her in. Could be a spinal problem, but lots of variations of that. Good luck!

[ShepsMom]

Originally Posted by akck

Another disease to check for is Degenerative Myelopathy, a spinal disease that causes the back legs not to work.

This is the worst case scenario for any dog, unfortunately.

Degenerative Myelopathy is a slow, progressive spinal cord disorder of unknown cause that is most commonly seen in aging German shepherds and a few other large breeds of dogs. Effective therapy has not been reported. Most dogs deteriorate over the course of 6 to 12 months and are eventually euthanized. I've seen few dogs with DM, it's heart wrenching sight. I don't believe it's painful, however, dogs can't control their legs, i think it's neurological.

Signs to watch for:

Progressive weakness of the hind limbs
Dragging nails
Difficulty rising
Difficulty jumping
Stumbling
Knuckling of the toes
Wearing of the inner digits of the rear paws
Loss of muscle in the rear legs
Tremors of rear legs
Eventual urinary and fecal incontinence
The front legs can be affected in late stages of the disease


My suggestion is to take your dog to the vet and do an X-ray of hind legs to eliminate hip dysplasia or other issues. Have you ever done x-ray before? See what vet says after results are in. If anything, ask him for DM test.

I wish you all the luck, and i hope there is nothing serious with your pup.

Keep us posted!!

[sapphire-rose]

Thank you everyone. I appreciate the input. I will let you know what we find out.
I hope that it ends up being something silly like the grass is bothering her between her toes. But the worry is eating me up.
I had looked at some of the various problems with dogs legs on-line but could not pinpoint anything specific. You folks have provided much better suggestions/causes. Thank You.

[titaniummd]

Originally Posted by sapphire-rose

Has anyone an idea of dog leg problems? Our 10 year old Dalmation is exhibiting some strange symptoms. When she goes out to relieve herself. Her hind legs all of a sudden stretch out behind her and her belly is on the ground, she has a little difficulty getting back up. Takes a step or two and it happens again. Sometimes one leg first, then the other as well, sometimes both legs at the same time. At first we thought the grass might have gotten to tall for her, we mowed real low, but it is still happening. Any ideas would be appreciated. We will call the vet on monday, but I'm worried now. (vet's office is closed at this time). She also does not make any sound as if she is in pain.
Thank You.

Does the behavior happen at any other time? How is her gait?

My dog does that but he does so when it is hot and he is trying to rest.

[sapphire-rose]

Hello titaniummd;
Only happens when we take her outside, her gait seems normal. In the house she gets super excited when her "daddy" gets home from work, she runs in circles, jumps, prances and leaps with a twist. We're not fenced in yet so she is taken out on the leash. 20 footer. In the yard she's only out for how ever long she needs to relieve herself. But this is also something that has never happened in any of her 10 years.
I appreciate that you did mention that your dog does this when trying to rest, gives me a wee bit of hope that it could be something very simple and will not be bad news from the vet.
Thank you very much for your reply.

[sapphire-rose]

Hello everyone:
Much to our delight our pampered pooch is fine. It's weed stems that are sharp since we mowed due to drying out. We are now waking her where the volume of weed growth is nill compared to her normal area.
Thank You one and all for your quick replies and all of the helpful information.
Thank God it did turn out to be something simple. She did not lose her back legs at all as we walked her around the vets pet area which LOL is weed free. Now to find a way to get rid of all of the weeds. Dandillions and thistle are the main culprets.