Boxer Puppy Back Legs Weak

Degenerative myelopathy initially affects the back legs and causes muscle weakness and loss, and lack of coordination. These cause a staggering affect that may appear to be arthritis. The dog may drag one or both rear paws when it walks. This dragging can cause the nails of one foot to be worn down.

Boxer puppy back legs weak. Targeting your dog’s back legs with specific exercises is a smart strategy. If your dog is older or currently exhibits back leg weakness, back leg exercises should be a regular part of your fitness routine. For all other dog owners, incorporating back leg exercises is a smart way to prevent or minimize back leg weakness as your pet ages. Degenerative myelopathy is a nerve disease that starts in a Boxer’s spinal cord. If your Boxer suffers from degenerative myelopathy, you’ll begin to notice that the dog will lose motor function in its hind legs—like it’s getting clumsy. Eventually the weakness will be more apparent, with loss of bowel and urinary control. Dog’s back legs weak? As with any canine health issue, having a copy of the dog’s medical history is invaluable for vets. Photo: veroturg. What can make a dog’s back legs weak, or cause a dog’s back legs to give out? That’s a question I had to answer recently for the anxious parents of a middle-aged Labrador Retreiver. Yea it is or at least that was how my boxer was when she was a puppy. Its pretty funny to watch. The word 'bambi' came to mind often.. Smaller dogs, by 8 weeks, are more stable on their legs than a giant breed. If the rear is weak, there could be some slight wobbling but it shouldn't be a lot. It'd be more of a tremble. Dogs do not fall over.

Degenerative myelopathy affects the rear legs first. Initially you may mistake it for other orthopedic problems. You may see your dog start to drag a foot on walks. The two middle nails on that weak paw may wear more than the others. Eventually, you’ll see a lack of coordination and wobbliness in the gait. I have a 7 or 8 week old pitbull/boxer puppy and he was wobbly in his hind legs and kind of staggering. Now his right leg is really weak and he falls over when he tries to walk or go to the bathroom he doesn’t seem to be in pain. We took him to the vet and they did exrays and examined him but said everything looked normal. Canine degenerative myelopathy is a progressive disease of the spinal cord. This has been identified in 40+ breeds; however, the top 3 breeds most commonly diagnosed with DM are the Boxer, German Shepherd, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi. At 10 and 11 weeks old, your puppy will be able to control their bladder a lot more, potentially up to 6 hours through the night. So, life will be starting to get back to normal. Most puppies in the U.S. receive vaccinations between 10 and 12 weeks old. So, make sure you’re up to date with your puppy’s vaccination schedule.

A second common reason for back leg weakness is injury to the spinal cord or back. Spinal cord injuries, often as a result of trauma, disc rupture or stroke, account for 2 percent of all dog veterinarian visits. If the spinal cord or back is damaged, bruised or inflamed, the back legs may become weak or unstable. Weakness can affect a dog’s front legs and back legs, but is more common in the back legs. This is because certain spinal cord/vertebral related conditions can present themselves as weakness in a dog’s back legs. When a dog has a hip related issue, this also shows up as weakness in a dog’s back legs. Many dogs can suffer from weakness in their back legs. A visit with your veterinarian can help you rule out possibilities. There are several different reasons why your dog may suffer from hind leg weakness. Symptoms of Weak Back Legs in Dogs. Depending on your dog and their particular medical condition, the weakness in their back legs may appear suddenly or come around gradually over a long period of time. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms: Weakness, instability, and loss of mobility – also known as “ataxia.”

When a Boxer puppy has hip dysplasia, the puppy will usually begin to show signs as young as 5 to 10 months old. A Boxer dog of any age can be diagnosed with this, as the condition may be very subtle in the dog’s early life and only as the dog grows older will an owner notice the signs: A wide range of chronic conditions can leave dogs weak or lethargic. That includes heart problems, liver problems, diabetes, and hypoglycemia. Heart disease. Lethargy and reduced tolerance for exercise are the early signs of congestive heart failure in dogs. As the condition worsens, other symptoms develop, including loss of appetite, coughing. Your puppy may be hungry, painful, uncomfortable, or nervous. Wobbly back legs may be caused by being tired, or weak, or having a problem with the knees or hips. It would probably be best to have your puppy checked out by a veterinarian, as they can examine him or her, and see if there is a problem or if everything is normal. Dog Lifting Aid-This handheld device helps reduce stress on your dog’s hind legs by lifting the hips and abdomen together. A quick search of dog mobility carrier will show you many options. Gripping Socks-For senior dogs with weak hind legs, tile or wooden floors can be slippery and can often result in an injury. Gripping socks will help.