Managing Dog Dragging Hind Leg

By Patrick Cole


Witnessing your canine companion in distress is not a pleasant experience and requires your immediate attention to support the best healthcare decisions. A dog dragging hind leg may be caused by a spinal issue, neurological imbalance or injury, but paying close attention to these symptoms can help you seek the appropriate relief for your pet. Learning of the symptoms and possible causes are necessary and includes a look at the following conditions.

Hind leg paralysis is often a result of trauma to the spine and nerves within the lower back of the canine. The poor functionality of the nerves in this region means that signals along the spinal cord are disrupted and the message to operate the leg are failing to register. Consideration for many factors including severe accidents and some genetic abnormalities could pinpoint the cause for such difficulties.

Symptoms of paralysis in the back limb include dragging the leg, inability to place any weight on the leg, discomfort, and a lack of joint movement. While some dogs whimper in pain or snap when the tender area is touched, many large breeds will not reveal obvious signs of pain and should be carefully monitored. When the hind limb is affected, there is often a spinal issue involved, muscle tear or low back trauma.

Intervention for such injures or abnormalities will aim to provide dogs with protection against the worsening of symptoms. Ongoing rehabilitation aims to strengthen the legs and improve muscle support, but without an improvement within 24 hours with rest, it is best to consult with a professional vet. If the source for the symptoms is neurological, the vet will have to advise on the proper procedure.

Should your pet be fine one day and down the next, it could be a sign of muscular trauma. When a muscle or ligament in the hind leg is torn or affected by severe damage, your canine will not put any weight on the limb and may refuse to eat owing to pain. While minor leg strains heal and the pooch will try to place some weight on the leg, cases where your dog refuses to use the leg at all may reveal a serious injury and requires vet attention.

A pooch with leg paralysis requires immediate care to prevent the healthy nerves and surrounding tissue from becoming deteriorated. Most pets will rest when kept confined to facilitate muscle healing, but in combination with vet exercises and physical support. Canines are encouraged to partake in physical therapy when severe muscle damage and degradation are present.

Managing such limitations in your pet requires a thorough assessment of nerves, joints and muscles. Soft tissue damages best respond to rehabilitation therapy. Spinal misalignment, injured vertebrae and nerve pressure may require surgery to improve mobility and provide dogs with much needed relief.

When dogs experience paralysis in their back legs, it may reveal neurological dysfunction including the presence of a brain tumor and nerve pressure. In older pets or dogs with cancer, the back legs will lose strength at a rapid rate and many animals will need structured, round the clock hospice. Contact your professional vet and have a thorough evaluation performed to produce effective results.




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