Why Can't My Dog Move His Back Legs: Causes, Symptoms & Care

If your dog can’t move his back legs, it’s a serious concern. The inability of a dog to move its hind limbs can stem from various issues, ranging from minor injuries to significant neurological or orthopedic problems. Prompt veterinary attention is crucial to identify the cause and initiate appropriate treatment.

Seeing your beloved canine companion struggle to walk or stand can be heartbreaking. When a dog can’t move its back legs, it’s a sign that something is seriously wrong. This symptom, often referred to as Canine hind limb paralysis or Dog rear leg weakness, can manifest suddenly or develop gradually. It’s essential to know the potential reasons behind this debilitating condition and how to care for your dog if it occurs. This comprehensive guide will explore the common causes, observable symptoms, and crucial care steps for a dog experiencing dog hindquarter weakness.

Deciphering the Causes of Dog Hind Leg Paralysis

The reasons a dog can’t move its back legs are diverse. They can involve nerves, bones, muscles, or even internal organs affecting the spinal cord or legs.

Spinal Cord Issues: The Central Highway for Movement

The spinal cord is the brain’s communication pathway to the rest of the body, especially the hind legs. Any damage or compression here can lead to loss of function.

Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)

This is a very common cause of hind leg paralysis, especially in certain breeds like Dachshunds, Basset Hounds, and Bulldogs.

What it is: The discs between the vertebrae (bones in the spine) can bulge or rupture, pressing on the spinal cord.
Symptoms: Sudden onset of pain, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, wobbly gait, weakness in hind legs, dragging paws, and in severe cases, complete paralysis. Dog spinal cord problems are often the culprit.
Breeds Affected: Dachshunds, Beagles, Bulldogs, Poodles, German Shepherds.

Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

This is a progressive, incurable neurological disease that affects older dogs.

What it is: It’s a gradual deterioration of the spinal cord’s white matter, affecting nerve signals.
Symptoms: Starts with hind leg weakness, often appearing as wobbliness or unsteadiness. It progresses to hind limb paralysis, usually starting in one leg and then affecting both. Elder dog hind leg issues are a hallmark of DM.
Breeds Affected: German Shepherds, Boxers, Corgis, Poodles, Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

Spondylosis Deformans

This condition involves bone spurs forming along the vertebrae.

What it is: Over time, bony growths can develop on the spine. While often asymptomatic, severe spurs can sometimes compress the spinal cord or nerves.
Symptoms: May include stiffness, pain, and potentially hind leg weakness if nerve compression occurs.

Spinal Tumors

Cancer can affect the spinal cord or the surrounding tissues.

What it is: Tumors can press on the spinal cord, disrupting nerve signals.
Symptoms: Progressive weakness, pain, loss of coordination, and eventual paralysis of the hind limbs.

Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE)

This is like a mini-stroke for the spinal cord.

What it is: A piece of cartilage from an intervertebral disc breaks off and blocks blood flow to a portion of the spinal cord, causing damage.
Symptoms: Sudden onset of paralysis or severe weakness, often in one hind leg initially, but can affect both. It’s typically not painful after the initial event.

Spinal Trauma

Accidents like falls or being hit by a car can cause severe damage to the spine.

What it is: Fractures or dislocations of the vertebrae can directly damage the spinal cord.
Symptoms: Immediate loss of sensation and movement in the hind legs, potential loss of bladder and bowel control.

Neurological Disorders: Miscommunication in the Nervous System

Beyond spinal cord issues, other neurological problems can impact hind leg function. These are categorized under Dog neurological hind limb issues.

Peripheral Nerve Damage

Nerves outside the spinal cord can be damaged by injury or disease.

What it is: Trauma, inflammation, or other diseases can affect the nerves controlling hind leg movement and sensation.
Symptoms: Weakness, dragging paws, dog back leg numbness, and abnormal gaits.

Distemper

This viral disease can affect the nervous system.

What it is: Canine distemper is a highly contagious virus that can cause a range of symptoms, including neurological ones.
Symptoms: Neurological signs can include tremors, seizures, and hind limb paralysis.

Tick Paralysis

Certain types of ticks can inject a neurotoxin.

What it is: The toxin interferes with nerve signals to the muscles.
Symptoms: Ascending paralysis, starting in the hind legs and moving forward, often accompanied by weakness and labored breathing. Removal of the tick typically leads to recovery.

Orthopedic Conditions: Problems with Bones and Joints

Issues with the legs themselves, joints, or hips can also cause a dog to appear as if they can’t move their back legs, even if the nerves are intact.

Arthritis (Osteoarthritis)

This is a degenerative joint disease common in older dogs.

What it is: The cartilage in the joints wears away, causing pain and inflammation. Dog arthritis back legs is a common complaint.
Symptoms: Stiffness, lameness, reluctance to move, limping, and sometimes hind leg weakness due to pain avoidance.

Hip Dysplasia

A developmental condition where the hip joint doesn’t form properly.

What it is: The ball and socket of the hip joint are loose, leading to instability and pain.
Symptoms: Hind leg weakness, lameness, difficulty rising, and a “bunny hopping” gait.

Cruciate Ligament Tears

The cranial cruciate ligament (similar to the ACL in humans) in the knee is prone to tears.

What it is: A tear in this ligament causes instability in the knee joint.
Symptoms: Sudden lameness, often in one leg, with the dog unwilling to put weight on it. This can appear as Dog rear leg weakness.

Fractures or Dislocations

Broken bones or dislocated joints in the legs or hips.

What it is: Trauma can cause breaks or dislocations of the femur, tibia, fibula, or hip joint.
Symptoms: Severe pain, inability to bear weight, swelling, and visible deformity.

Luxating Patella

When the kneecap slips out of place.

What it is: The patella can dislocate, causing a temporary skip or lameness in the hind leg. In severe cases, it can lead to chronic pain and weakness.

Other Contributing Factors

Some other issues can also lead to puppy unable to walk or adult dogs losing hind leg function.

Age-Related Weakness

As dogs age, muscle mass can decrease, leading to natural weakening of the hindquarters.

What it is: General decline in muscle tone and strength.
Symptoms: Slower to rise, less stamina, and apparent hind leg weakness.

Obesity

Excess weight puts significant strain on a dog’s joints and mobility.

What it is: Being overweight can exacerbate existing orthopedic conditions and make movement difficult.
Symptoms: Difficulty moving, reluctance to exercise, and a noticeable decrease in hind leg strength.

Nutritional Deficiencies

In rare cases, severe deficiencies can impact nerve and muscle function.

What it is: Lack of essential vitamins and minerals.
Symptoms: General weakness, tremors, and potentially hind limb issues.

Toxic Exposure

Ingestion of certain toxins can affect the nervous system.

What it is: Exposure to pesticides, certain plants, or chemicals.
Symptoms: Vary depending on the toxin, but can include neurological signs like paralysis.

Recognizing the Signs: Symptoms of Hind Leg Impairment

The symptoms your dog exhibits will depend heavily on the underlying cause. However, some common signs indicate a problem with their back legs.

Mobility Issues

Hind limb paralysis: Complete inability to move one or both back legs.
Dog rear leg weakness: Difficulty bearing weight, buckling legs, or a wobbly gait.
Dragging paws: The dog’s nails or the tops of their feet scrape the ground when walking.
Lameness or limping: Favoring one or both back legs.
Reluctance to move: Hesitation to jump, climb stairs, or play.
Inability to stand or walk: Completely unable to support themselves on their hind legs.
“Bunny hopping” gait: Both hind legs move together when walking or running, often seen with hip dysplasia.

Pain and Discomfort

Vocalization: Whining, yelping, or crying, especially when touched or trying to move.
Restlessness: Difficulty finding a comfortable position, pacing.
Sensitivity to touch: Reacting negatively when the hindquarters are touched.
Guarding the hindquarters: Trying to protect their back legs or tail area.

Other Neurological Signs

Loss of bladder or bowel control: Incontinence or difficulty urinating/defecating.
Dog back leg numbness: The dog may not react if their paws are touched, or may lick or chew at their legs excessively due to lack of sensation.
Tremors or twitching: Involuntary muscle movements.
Altered posture: Tail held low, hunched back, or abnormal positioning of the hind legs.

Puppy-Specific Signs

A puppy unable to walk may show:

Difficulty getting up.
Wobbly hind legs.
Crawling rather than walking.
Not using hind legs at all.

When to Seek Veterinary Care: Urgency and Diagnosis

If your dog suddenly cannot move its back legs, or shows any signs of severe weakness or pain, immediate veterinary attention is critical. Time is of the essence, especially with spinal cord injuries or neurological emergencies.

What to Expect at the Vet

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical and neurological examination.

Physical Examination

Gait analysis: Observing how your dog walks and stands.
Palpation: Feeling the spine and legs for pain, swelling, or abnormalities.
Reflex tests: Checking nerve responses in the legs.

Neurological Examination

Consciousness and behavior: Assessing the dog’s overall mental state.
Posture and gait: Observing how the dog moves.
Cranial nerves: Testing nerves in the head and face.
Spinal reflexes: Evaluating reflexes in the front and hind limbs.
Proprioception: Testing the dog’s awareness of limb position (e.g., placing a paw upside down to see if they correct it).
Sensation: Checking for pain sensation in the toes and tail.

Diagnostic Tools

Depending on the initial findings, your vet may recommend further diagnostics:

X-rays (Radiographs): To assess bone structure, identify fractures, dislocations, arthritis, or bone spurs.
Myelogram: An X-ray procedure where contrast dye is injected into the spinal canal to highlight any spinal cord compression.
CT Scan (Computed Tomography): Provides detailed cross-sectional images of the spine and bones.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): The gold standard for diagnosing spinal cord diseases, disc herniations, and tumors, as it provides detailed images of soft tissues like the spinal cord and nerves.
Blood Tests: To rule out infections, inflammation, or other systemic diseases.
Urinalysis: To check for urinary tract issues that can arise from neurological problems.

Caring for Your Dog: Treatment and Management Strategies

The treatment plan for a dog unable to move its back legs will depend entirely on the diagnosed cause.

Veterinary Treatments

Surgery: Often recommended for IVDD (discectomy), spinal fractures, or tumors to relieve pressure on the spinal cord.
Medications:
- Pain relievers: NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) or other pain medications.
- Steroids: To reduce inflammation, especially in cases of disc disease or spinal trauma.
- Muscle relaxants: To ease muscle spasms.
- Antibiotics/Antivirals: If an infection is present.
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation: Crucial for recovery.
- Hydrotherapy: Walking in water to support weight and improve muscle strength without stress.
- Therapeutic exercises: Passive range of motion, stretching, and strengthening exercises.
- Laser therapy: To reduce inflammation and promote healing.
- Massage: To improve circulation and muscle function.
- Assisted walking devices: Such as slings or wheelchairs (carts) for dogs with permanent paralysis.

Home Care and Support

Caring for a dog with hind limb mobility issues at home is vital for their comfort and recovery.

Comfortable bedding: Provide soft, supportive bedding to prevent pressure sores.
Assistance with mobility: Use a sling or harness to help your dog stand, walk, and navigate stairs.
Hygiene: Keep your dog clean, especially if they experience incontinence. Regular cleaning of the hindquarters is essential to prevent skin irritation and infection.
Expressing bladder/bowels: If your dog loses control, you may need to manually express their bladder to prevent infections and ensure proper elimination. Your vet can show you how.
Nutrition: Ensure your dog is eating a balanced diet. If mobility is an issue, consider raised food and water bowls.
Regular vet check-ups: Monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed.
Mental Stimulation: Keep your dog engaged mentally with puzzle toys and interaction to prevent boredom and depression.

Prognosis: What to Expect

The prognosis for a dog with hind leg paralysis varies greatly depending on the cause, severity, and promptness of treatment.

IVDD: With timely surgery and rehabilitation, many dogs can regain significant or complete hind limb function. However, some may have lingering weakness or paralysis.
Degenerative Myelopathy (DM): This condition is progressive and currently incurable. Management focuses on slowing its progression and maintaining quality of life. Dogs with DM typically become paralyzed over time and may require wheelchairs.
Trauma: The outcome depends on the extent of spinal cord damage. Some nerve damage is irreversible, but with aggressive rehabilitation, some dogs can regain partial function.
Arthritis and other orthopedic issues: Management can significantly improve quality of life, reduce pain, and restore some mobility, though complete resolution may not always be possible.

It’s crucial to have realistic expectations and work closely with your veterinarian to provide the best possible care for your dog.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can a puppy with hind leg weakness recover?
A1: Yes, many puppies with hind leg weakness can recover, especially if the cause is temporary or treatable, such as a minor injury, nutritional deficiency, or certain congenital conditions. Early diagnosis and treatment are key.

Q2: My dog is old and its back legs are getting weak. Is this just old age?
A2: While age can contribute to muscle loss and reduced mobility, significant hind leg weakness in an older dog should always be evaluated by a vet. Conditions like arthritis, degenerative myelopathy, or even tumors can cause these symptoms.

Q3: How can I help my dog if it has hind leg paralysis?
A3: If your dog is paralyzed, focus on keeping them comfortable and clean. Assist them with movement using slings or wheelchairs, maintain hygiene, and ensure they can access food and water easily. Follow your veterinarian’s specific care instructions.

Q4: What is a common cause of sudden hind leg paralysis in Dachshunds?
A4: The most common cause of sudden hind leg paralysis in Dachshunds is Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), where a disc in their spine ruptures and compresses the spinal cord.

Q5: My vet mentioned “dog hind leg paresis.” What does that mean?
A5: “Dog hind leg paresis” refers to partial paralysis or weakness in the hind legs, where the dog still has some ability to move them, but with significantly reduced strength and coordination. It’s a less severe form than complete paralysis.

Conclusion

Witnessing your dog struggle with their hind legs can be a distressing experience. From the sudden onset of Canine hind limb paralysis due to a disc herniation to the gradual decline seen with Elder dog hind leg issues, the causes are varied and require careful veterinary diagnosis. Whether it’s Dog spinal cord problems, Dog arthritis back legs, or Dog neurological hind limb issues, prompt and accurate diagnosis is the first step towards effective treatment. By familiarizing yourself with the potential causes, symptoms, and care strategies, you can be a better advocate for your dog’s health and well-being, helping them navigate these challenging conditions with the best possible outcome.