The Dog Dragging Hind Leg Condition

By Roger Edwards


The coordination of a brain, nerves, and muscles working in harmony contribute to the ability of a canine to move and perform daily activities. This process involves reflexes from the brain to relevant body parts which in turn relay information back to the brain. This type of communication is facilitated by nerve cells which are found in the spinal cord in the vertebral column often referred to as the backbone. Injuries or trauma along the cord leads to poor communication. Here is an insight on dog dragging hind leg problem.

Disruption of the pathway for communication along the spine of your dog leads to dragging of the hind limbs. The dog may be able to move weakly when the condition is not extreme but with time the canine will be unable to move. This condition is called partial paralysis or paresis.

Some breeds are known to be more prone to this condition than others. The dogs that are genetically low because of short limbs and long backs often affected by rupturing of vertebral disks. This results in a lot of pressure being exerted on a spinal cord. The pressure may affect the neural pathways by damaging them or blocking their transmission to and from the brain resulting in poor coordination.

Other breeds are genetically vulnerable to degenerative myelopathy. This disease attacks nerves in the spinal cords of older dogs, approximately at the age of seven years. This disorder is slow acting but progressive and with time it results in paresis. The Welsh Corgi, Irish Setter, German Shepherd and Chesapeake Bay Retriever are most affected by this genetic disease.

The medical history of your dog is of importance when one takes the canine to the veterinary for treatment. One is required to report possible incidents that may have caused the conditions like falling and also if the dog had been infested with ticks. Reflex tests are conducted to determine the position of a spine with infection. Blood samples may be required for further testing in case it is a bacterial, viral or even toxic infection.

The extent of paresis determines which course of treatment is taken. Some dogs are unable to urinate and defecate. Such are admitted to the animal hospital for close monitoring and further diagnosis. Emptying of the bladder is done severally and the pet is given painkillers if the canine is experiencing pain. The dog is also adjusted to prevent the development of sores which may develop due to lying on one side for too long.

Administration of medicine, surgery or therapy is applied when the cause is a slipped disk of a spinal cord, tumors or blockages of blood vessels. Inflamed nerves are treated by use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Some dogs tend to recover quicker than others depending on how severe the condition is. Dogs released to go home are given a guideline for home care so that they recover fully.

Degenerative myelopathy, on the other hand, has not had a cure yet. The disease spreads progressively until it causes paresis. Medics have not been able to slow down the rate of infection of this condition either. For treatable conditions, the majority of dogs have been reported to recover fully with exercise going a long way in helping achieve this.




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