Dog Back Leg Problems: What Goes Wrong and How to Help

Weak back legs can come from several problems, including arthritis, which in many large breeds follows hip dysplasia, as well as degenerative myelopathy (a slow disease of the spinal cord), spinal injuries, spinal tumors, and lumbosacral stenosis (a narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back).¹ This hub explains what makes a dog's back legs weak, what your vet will look for, and what helps at home.

What's happening in your dog's back end

The back end is a chain: hips, knees, hocks (ankles), the muscles that power them, and the spine that carries nerve signals to all of it. A problem anywhere in that chain looks the same from outside: wobbling, slipping, or a dog who can't get up.

Joints fail through wear. Osteoarthritis is the inflammation and eventual breakdown of the main parts of a joint, including cartilage, joint capsule and surrounding bone.² In disc disease, the disc that sits between two vertebrae to cushion movement deteriorates and presses on the spinal cord.³

The common causes, most likely first

Arthritis and hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a deformity of the hip that happens during growth, leaving a loose joint and then arthritis.⁴ The usual signs are weakness and pain in the hind legs, a wobbly dog who is reluctant to rise, sometimes limping or refusing stairs.⁴ Some dogs walk with a "bunny-hopping" gait.⁵ Although it begins in puppyhood, most dogs show no signs until they are older.⁴

Disc disease (IVDD, a problem with the cushioning discs in the spine). Dogs with a long back and short legs are most at risk, especially dachshunds, French bulldogs, beagles and Shih Tzus.³ Signs range from back pain alone to being unable to walk or losing feeling in the legs.³

Knee ligament injury. The cruciate ligament inside the knee gradually weakens and may tear, leaving an unstable knee with pain, arthritis and limping.⁶ A "lazy sit", with the back legs splayed to one side instead of squarely underneath, is an early clue.⁶

Degenerative myelopathy and spinal tumours. Degenerative myelopathy is a spinal cord disease causing slowly progressive hind limb weakness and paralysis, and spinal tumours are another reason a dog may show these signs.¹

Painful problem or nerve problem?

Arthritis looks like a stiff gait, trouble rising from lying down, and an unwillingness to jump onto furniture or into the car.² Nerve trouble looks different: the hind paws knuckle over so the dog walks on its knuckles, the hindquarters sway when standing still, and the hind feet scrape the ground.¹ Read more on why dogs knuckle over on their back paws.

Most dogs with degenerative myelopathy don't seem to be in pain, just very weak, so limping without obvious pain still needs a vet.¹ Some dogs with significant arthritis on X-ray show no signs at all, while others with minimal changes are painful and lame.⁴

When a dog can't move their back legs

Sudden paralysis is an emergency. If your dog can't use their back legs, is dragging both of them, has had a fall or car knock, or doesn't react when you touch the toes, go in the same day. Dogs that become paralysed and have also lost pain sensation are considered an emergency, and the chance of walking again is very low, even with surgery.³ Dogs who can still feel their feet often have a good chance of returning to walking with surgery.³

Meanwhile, keep your dog quiet and confined and carry rather than let them walk. Whatever the severity, the first step is a nerve and reflex examination by a veterinarian.³ There is no single test for degenerative myelopathy in a living dog, so several tests are used to rule other things out.⁷

Dog back leg exercises, rehab and home support

Movement and weight are the two things you control. A slender body weight is by far the most critical part of arthritis management.² Low-impact, consistent exercise builds the muscles around the joints and promotes joint stability,² and rehabilitation such as range of motion work, therapeutic exercise and water therapy improves mobility, muscle mass and endurance.²

At home: mats on hardwood and tile, ramps where needed, a sling or harness to help with walking and standing, and booties to protect scuffed paws.⁷ For dogs at risk of disc disease, discourage jumping on and off furniture and other high-impact activities.³ More in our guide to everyday care for an aging dog with weak back legs and our page on what changes in a senior dog's back end.

Mobility aids: giving a dog back legs support

A rear support wheelchair is for a dog whose back legs can no longer carry them for a normal walk, and considering one is a recognised part of managing progressive hind limb weakness.⁷ It is not giving up on walking: the goal is to keep the dog on its feet and as physically active as possible for as long as possible.¹

The OldPal Rear Support Dog Wheelchair comes in five sizes. You size it with one measurement, rear leg height from the top of the hip straight down to the toe pad, and our measuring and sizing guide walks you through it. Introduce it in short indoor sessions with treats, checking under every strap for rubbing.

Guides on this site

• Why back legs give out, and what to do first
• Hind leg weakness: causes and next steps
• Understanding IVDD in dogs and using a wheelchair with IVDD
• Degenerative myelopathy explained and wheelchairs for dogs with DM
• Wheelchair support with hip dysplasia and arthritis
• Helping a dog with weak back legs on stairs

Frequently asked questions

Not sure where to start?

Start with the guide that matches what you're seeing, and if your dog's back end can no longer carry a walk, take a look at the OldPal Rear Support Dog Wheelchair. Every order is covered by our Fit Guarantee.

Sources

More on this topic

• Dog Can't Walk: Causes, Care and Next Steps