You only want the best for your dog, and he is your best friend. The same applies to all dog parents, and that is the reason you are reading this blog. Therefore, he may be older, or he may have been injured or suffering from a genetic condition.
It doesn’t make any difference which way he gets out of bed, he seems just fine once he’s up. The perplexing situation makes you wonder why. He must not be faking it, right?
It is common for your pooch to have trouble getting up, but then walk fine afterward. We explore some common causes in this article.
1. Arthritis
Animals are also affected! An aging dog is more likely to develop arthritis than a younger one. An indicator of arthritis in dogs is when they have trouble getting up but walk normally afterward.
As in, “please don’t wake me up!” That will end my life! with those sad puppy eyes that bring tears to your eyes. When they wake up, they whimper and whine. The moment they’re up, they’re going about their business as if nothing ever happened.
Arthritis pain is caused by inflammation of the joints. Unfortunately, this condition gets worse over time and has negative effects on your dog’s mobility and quality of life. (2)
The majority of doggy diseases are more severe in overweight dogs. This is one more reason to keep your pup at a healthy weight. Because of the extra weight, they’re carrying, things could really get worse. (7)
Changes in gait and general discomfort are common symptoms of arthritis. Even if they were able to lie down, you’d probably hear their grunting and see their fidgeting as they tried and failed to get comfortable.
You might see your pooch licking his legs or paws if arthritis is causing some pain, and he may even limp before exercising. As for being stiff after a walk, he probably wouldn’t want to jump either. What an unfortunate dog.
Arthritis cannot be cured, but it can be managed. To help keep your pup comfortable, your vet may prescribe some medications and supplements.
Your dog should also exercise regularly. Instead of one really long walk, you might want to take several short ones. Don’t go too far, but just far enough to get him wagging his tail and get the blood pumping. You should not continue doing something that hurts until he is ready to try something else.
For severe cases, you might consider laser therapy or one of the many mobility tools available to you, including slings, rear-end harnesses, wheelchairs, and carts. You can keep your pooch active without having to put so much stress on his body.
Perhaps you should make some changes around the house as well. To prevent Coco from slipping, put down some non-slip pads on your slippery floors.
Alternatively, you can help her up and down the stairs and the couch with ramps. Don’t forget to make her bed as comfortable as possible. When it’s cold, arthritis is worse, so keep the heater on if necessary.
2. Muscle Atrophy
The wasting away of your dog’s muscles is called muscle atrophy. This condition can affect any breed of dog. (1).
Your mutt’s muscles are becoming thinner if he has this condition. When it used to be too big, suddenly you can put your hand around their thigh. Another possibility is that they are losing weight – you may not be weighing them regularly. Although, you might notice a bit of a difference in his weight when you pick him up.
Muscle atrophy is also characterized by physical weakness. As a result, your dog might have difficulty standing up or prefer to stand on his front legs rather than his hind legs. It may also be that Coco is in pain, or that she is sluggish, all of which contribute to the problem.
Due to the wide range of causes of muscle atrophy, the treatment, and the treatment ability, would also vary widely. Your furry kids should be checked out by your veterinarian as soon as possible.
The treatment will probably include regular exercise, no matter what the problem is. Everybody needs a good workout, and our furry friends are no exception. Your vet will probably advise you to give your pooch some protein supplements along with a healthy diet so that he gets all the goodies he needs to recover.
3. Back Leg Weakness
A common name for inherited Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) is Back Leg Weakness. Your dog’s spinal cord is exposed when the protective layer surrounding it degenerates. Because this causes a disruption in the body’s communication, your dog’s hindquarters may weaken and may even become paralyzed (3).
Back Leg Weakness is characterized by many symptoms, and many of them overlap with other conditions. If you see any of these symptoms, especially if they get worse over time, take your pooch to the vet.
Lameness, incontinence, swelling, weight gain, loss of muscle mass, lack of coordination, loss of balance, a stumbling gait, difficulty standing, and reluctance to exercise are some symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s Disease. It’s pretty scary to see all of these.
This condition can be treated. Surgery may be recommended, and pain medication most likely will be prescribed as well. Fido’s weight needs to be controlled during recovery, so a strict diet may be necessary.
Maintaining their mobility and fitness requires regular exercise – whatever they are comfortably capable of at the moment. Avoiding unnecessary weight gain is a benefit of this as well.
Also Read: Top Reason Why dog leaves odorless wet spot
4. Hip Dysplasia
A large dog breed such as a mastiff or St Bernard may be at risk for hip dysplasia, so be on the lookout for the tell-tale signs. Even if your little pet is a small breed, you’re not immune since some of them can get it as well.
You can recognize this inherited condition if your dog appears stiff and has trouble getting up after lying down. He might also have difficulty climbing stairs or standing on his hind legs. If you’re unsure, take him to the vet for a proper examination.
What exactly is hip dysplasia? Dogs suffering from this condition have improperly formed hip joints.
The leg bone is moving around too much because the joint is loose. Kind of like a key that doesn’t quite fit the lock it’s meant to open. Your poor pet could suffer from some awful pain, which becomes worse over time.
Occasionally, a case is so mild that you will not even notice it, while other times it is severe enough that it requires your veterinarian’s intervention. (4)
Dogs can develop this condition at any age, even as puppies. Because it’s inherited, there is nothing you can do to prevent it.
You can manage the effects, however, through targeted exercise, a healthy diet, keeping your pooch warm and dry while he sleeps, and, in extreme cases, some special medications.
Swimming is one activity that generally helps these poor pups. The hip joint muscles are strengthened by swimming, giving him a better chance of living a healthy life.
5. Overgrown Nails
Long nails can dig into your pup’s paws, especially when they’re getting up. Due to the pain, they are likely to take a long time getting up, and may even whimper or whine as they do so. In severe cases, dogs’ gait can be affected by overgrown nails.
The good news is that this is an easy one to treat. It requires just a little nail trimming. However, there are a few things you need to know before you pick up a clipper.
Whenever your pooch’s nails grow super long, the quick also grows. The part with blood vessels and nerve endings is where you shouldn’t nip while trimming.
When done properly, you can make the quick recede over time, returning your pup’s paws to normal and making him jump for joy.
Your dog’s nails need to be trimmed every four days, a little at a time. Try some sensitivity training with whatever tool you choose if they don’t like getting their nails trimmed – they’ll get used to it in no time.
With a bit of research, you can find a nail trimming tool that is right for you and your dog. (5)
6. Obesity
Obesity is a common problem among big dogs, and it can cause many health issues. It can lead to diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and more.
You should never let your dog become obese, especially if she has a history of being overweight. If you see her gaining weight, talk to your vet about what you can do to help. (6)
What Should I Do If My Dog Can’t Stand Up or Walk?
Both pet and owner may find this experience frightening, but the worst isn’t always over. If your dog is having difficulty standing or walking, even if they are eating and drinking, seek advice from a veterinarian as soon as possible. If the problem is temporary, seek advice from a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Weak hind legs in dogs: What causes them?
Your dog may experience tremors in their back legs for a variety of reasons.
A dog’s back legs may be weak and shaken due to a number of reasons, including:
Discomfort and Pain. Leg pain may be a sign that your dog is suffering from musculoskeletal pain. Fido’s hind legs will shake when experiencing hip or knee pain, and he will also lick and chew on his feet to relieve the pain, as this is a form of self-soothing. If you suspect that your dog is in discomfort, take them to the vet for proper testing and treatment.
Anxiety. It’s common for a dog to shake as a sign that they’re stressed, and they may also show other symptoms of stress (see our guide on whether a dog’s tail between its legs indicates that it’s sick for more info.)
If your dog is naturally anxious, and they show signs of distress whenever they encounter anything new or meet someone new, their wobbly legs may be indicative of anxiety. Despite this, you shouldn’t ignore your dog’s worries – do what you can to calm him down.
Getting older. As dogs age, their mobility diminishes. Every time you get closer to adding a zero to your birthday, you make more noise, struggle to walk for hours without limbering up first, and make a lot more noise as you stand up and sit down? Your dog is no different.
As long as they are walking around without any signs of discomfort, this shouldn’t be a major problem.
Parasites. Tick bites can cause paralysis in dogs, as these unwelcome parasites leave behind toxins and germs. Fortunately, the loss of rear legs, in this case, occurs suddenly, so if you get to the vet quickly enough, you may be able to reverse the problem with medication.
Poison. Whether it is chocolate, spoiled food from the garbage, or any of the wild plants found in nature that would cause harm to their innards, if your dog eats something toxic, they might exhibit warning signs such as trembling, shaking hind legs. A trip to the vet is recommended if this behavior is accompanied by vomiting, spitting white foam, or diarrhea.
Muscle weakness. You may notice a temporary weakness in your dog’s hind legs if he or she has overexerted himself on a walk or by jumping around various items in the house. If your dog’s legs return to normal after a snooze, don’t worry. It can look a little frightening if the limbs start shaking and wobbling.
Botulism. A dog usually contracts this disease after eating something they find on the ground (dead animal carcasses are the most common cause). In the event that your dog has this condition, you need to see your veterinarian as soon as possible, so that they can treat it with antibiotics before the symptoms worsen.
This may be a sign of fibrocartilaginous embolism. In this condition, a small piece of the spine snaps and makes its way into your dog’s bloodstream. It usually affects large breeds of dogs.
It causes temporary paralysis and lack of blood flow, which usually resolves on its own after a week or two. You should, however, consult a veterinarian at the onset of the suspected condition.
Sickness. Dogs can lose their control of their hind legs due to a variety of illnesses, which vary in severity. Consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns. Your veterinarian can run a number of tests, and if the problem is caught early enough, your pet may be able to fully recover.
Canine illnesses that can cause muscular weakness include –
Various parts of a dog’s body shake as a result of a condition known as tremor syndrome.
It is a mild case of kennel cough that will resolve itself.
Distemper.
There is a condition is known as intervertebral disc disease (IDD) in which the discs found between the vertebrae put pressure on the spine, causing paralysis.
It is also known as Cushing’s disease.
The first stage of hind leg paralysis is degenerative myelopathy.
Although not every instance of a dog shaking its legs should be cause for panic and an appointment with the vet right away, you should keep a close eye on it.
After your dog loses all control over their hind legs, there often isn’t a way back, as we have already established. Take action before things get worse.
Also Read: Why does my Dog scabs on nipples?
My dog’s back legs are slipping
A common problem with the hind legs of a dog is that they begin to “slip” – meaning that, as the dog attempts to walk normally, its back legs slip to one side.
This can be caused by many factors, most of which are related to musculoskeletal damage. The vet will want to run several X-rays when you notice this symptom, so you should get your dog in right away. Knees, spine, and hips are some of the body parts that may be affected.
The slipping of a dog’s hind legs is a warning sign that something is very wrong. It is much more likely that you’ll be able to reverse the issue and prevent heartache if you get your pet checked out as soon as possible.
When a dog’s back end goes, what happens?
It’s time to pay a great deal of attention to a dog whose back legs are weak and shaking. A temporary issue may be salvageable in the best-case scenario. The end result can be heartbreaking due to the fact that dogs cannot function without their back legs.
Your veterinarian will likely sit you down and discuss your options when your backend finally fails. Surgical intervention may sometimes be possible to save your dog’s life, but if the damage is to the back legs or spinal cord, then you’re more likely to be told it’s best to say goodbye and put an end to the pain of your canine companion.
In a moment we’ll discuss the possible causes of a dog’s rear leg weakness, but it’s important to be vigilant about keeping an eye on any potential warning signs. You can do everything you can to keep your dog’s anatomy in great shape by taking the appropriate precautions and making lifestyle changes. (8)
The back legs of my older dog are giving out
We have already established that older dogs are more likely to have hind leg issues. It’s all a natural part of aging, just as humans become less mobile as they reach a certain age.
One of the biggest problems an older dog faces is degenerative myelopathy, which is the first step toward total hind leg paralysis. Your dog’s brain no longer receives messages from his body telling him he can’t move his hind legs until the fibers completely give way.
The good news is that this is not a painful condition, so your dog will not necessarily suffer. However, with this comes a disadvantage – your dog will likely not indicate to you that they are ill, so you will not be able to treat them.
Typically, a dog with degenerative myelopathy will be unable to use one hind leg, then the other – eventually, they won’t be able to stand up and will drag their back legs as they walk. Once the disease has taken hold, there is no cure. However, if caught early enough, it can be managed and the dog’s quality of life can be improved. Physical therapy may keep the hound as mobile and supple as possible.
Make an appointment with an animal healthcare specialist if you suspect your dog may be suffering from degenerative myelopathy. X-rays and MRIs will be among the tests they will run to try to find a solution and begin treatment.
In conclusion: dog has trouble getting up but walks fine
There are plenty of reasons why your dog might have difficulty getting up, but walk fine and even run without any problems.
Some of them can be cured, while others can only be controlled with the right treatment.
In either case, if your dog is showing some symptoms, it’s best to take him to the vet for a thorough checkup. This way, whatever the cause might be, you can catch it early and begin treatment as soon as possible.
