Your old dog's back legs giving way is common and often due to age-related issues like osteoarthritis, muscle loss (sarcopenia), or neurological problems such as Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) or Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD), causing pain, stiffness, or nerve damage. Because several serious conditions can cause this, a prompt vet visit is crucial for an accurate diagnosis and management plan, which may include pain relief, weight management, supplements, or physical therapy to improve mobility and quality of life.
There are many reasons why a dog's legs may appear to give out. Common reasons for hind leg collapse in senior dogs include osteoarthritis, intervertebral disc disease, metabolic disorders, vestibular disease, heart disease, and degenerative myelopathy.
Warning signs a dog is dying include significant lethargy, loss of appetite/thirst, difficulty breathing (labored, panting at rest), incontinence (bladder/bowel), confusion, restlessness or withdrawal, decreased mobility (weakness, stumbling), and increased signs of pain (whining, aggression) as their body systems begin to shut down. These physical and behavioral changes signal a decline, and consulting your vet is crucial for guidance on comfort and quality of life.
With support from orthopedic braces, a healthy diet, regular exercise, as well as homeopathic support, your older dog may have many happy and healthy years ahead, free of back leg collapse. Talk to your vet and ask if a hip brace may alleviate your older dog's hind leg weakness.
The Five Stages of Degenerative Myelopathy
Sudden changes in your dog's behavior can indicate serious health issues. If your dog is in pain, has a limp, or is unable to rise, these symptoms require further investigation. Difficulty breathing, refusing food or water, or being unable to get up to eliminate are major signs. Loss of balance is also important.
General Symptoms of Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs
Disease progression can vary, but the majority of dogs are euthanised on welfare grounds within 6-18 months of the symptoms first becoming apparent. Even though there is no pain involved, the impact on their quality of life can be drastic.
One of the most common causes of hind leg weakness in senior dogs is osteoarthritis. As cartilage breaks down, bones rub together, causing pain, inflammation, and limited joint mobility. Over time, this pain can make your dog hesitant to move, leading to muscle atrophy and eventual collapse of the back legs.
Sadly, most dogs with degenerative myelopathy eventually lose control of their legs, bladder and bowels completely, and need to be put to sleep. The average life expectancy of a dog with degenerative myelopathy is 1-2 years from diagnosis.
Recovery from back leg weakness may be possible, but this greatly depends on what's causing the loss of leg strength. For example, dogs who have experienced atrophy and muscle loss caused by injury or surgical recovery stand a good chance of regaining strength in their back legs.
While dogs may not comprehend the concept of death in a human sense, many show an instinctive awareness that something is changing. As their bodies weaken, dogs often adjust their behaviour—seeking more time with their humans or, in some cases, choosing solitude.
You'll know your senior dog is suffering from signs like mobility issues (limping, difficulty standing/stairs), behavior changes (lethargy, irritability, hiding, less interest in play), appetite/thirst changes, disorientation, incontinence, restlessness at night, or labored/heavy breathing, indicating pain or discomfort beyond normal aging, and a vet visit is crucial for diagnosis and relief.
Can Dogs Pass Away in Their Sleep? Yes, some pets can peacefully and naturally pass away while sleeping.
Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive disease affecting the spinal cord in dogs, often seen in breeds like the German Shepherd and Pembroke Welsh Corgi. It begins with subtle hind leg weakness and can progress to severe mobility issues.
Spotting Mild Cases
Not all neurological symptoms indicate a severe stroke. Mild cases might show as temporary disorientation, slight wobbliness when walking, or brief episodes of confusion that clear up within minutes. Even with mild symptoms, calling your veterinarian is important to rule out serious conditions.
The first signs of Cushing's disease in dogs often involve increased thirst (polydipsia), frequent urination (polyuria), increased appetite (polyphagia), and lethargy, alongside a developing pot-belly, thinning skin, hair loss (especially on the body/flanks), and excessive panting, requiring a vet visit for diagnosis.
If your dog suddenly collapses, experiences severe pain, or shows signs of paralysis, seek emergency veterinary care immediately. These symptoms may indicate a serious condition that needs urgent treatment.
The leading cause of death in dogs, especially older dogs, is cancer (neoplasia), affecting about 1 in 4 dogs, similar to humans, with specific breeds at higher risk. Other significant causes include old age, heart disease, digestive disorders (like bloat), infectious diseases (like Parvo), and trauma, with sterilization influencing risks for cancer and infections.
Heart disease can cause your animal's legs to give out or for them to lose consciousness completely. There are many reasons why your cat or dog could be fainting or collapsing, but it's best to get them to a vet immediately to understand the cause of the issue.
What are the main signs and symptoms dog's back legs not working?
End-of-life signs in dogs include behavioral changes like lethargy, confusion, anxiety, or increased clinginess, alongside physical declines such as labored breathing, loss of appetite/thirst, decreased mobility, and incontinence, indicating organ shutdown, pain, or general system failure, with some seeking comfort while others withdraw; it's crucial to monitor these signs and consult your veterinarian for guidance on comfort and quality of life.
Providing your dog with a nutritionally balanced diet throughout their lifetime can go a long way to helping them maintain hind leg strength and mobility as they age. Feed your dog a diet that is rich in high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals, to help maintain healthy bones and muscles.
2) Stops Eating/Drinking
If your dog is at this point, you can offer them the tastiest treat imaginable and they will not eat it. They will also stop drinking water. This is due to the beginning of their organs shutting down. They no longer have the sensation of hunger or thirst.
You can euthanize a dog with degenerative myelopathy within six months to three years after diagnosis. However, this can depend on the disease's impact on your dog's quality of life, mainly if the severity of symptoms only results in uncontrollable pain.
Symptoms of degenerative cervical myelopathy
tingling or numbness in the arms or legs (often starting in fingertips or toes) or less commonly in the body. change or loss in the manual coordination or dexterity in the hands (e.g. fastening buttons or tying shoelaces) pain, weakness or heaviness in the arms or legs.