The dog does not step on its hind paw - the secrets of lameness

What can be considered lameness?

When a dog does not step on its hind paw, or leans on it, but in a very unusual way, or maybe even presses different paws, then the pet is considered to be limping.

Lameness is an unusual gait or posture of an animal. This is expressed by asymmetrical movement of the limbs due to dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system or the manifestation of other diseases of the body.

The dog is limping on its hind leg

If a dog is in pain, it is forced to take care of its paw - do not lean on it again and try to transfer the main weight to the other limb. This is how uneven gait occurs. Pain can be due to problems with joints, bones, muscles, tendons, bursae (periarticular bursa).

But sometimes lameness is a consequence of any abnormal development of the musculoskeletal system (for example, congenital or acquired deformities).

Valgus deformity of the pelvic limbs in a dog

It is important to understand that lameness is not a disease, but a symptom of some disease. The dog walks strangely because something happened to its paw or to its body as a whole. Therefore, initially you need to identify the main cause from hundreds of possible diseases and deal with it, because it is impossible to cure lameness.

1-2 degree of neurological deficit. The animal can move independently

in the case of an increase in neurological deficit to grade 3-4-5 within 12-24 hours during therapy, examination (CT, MRI) followed by surgical intervention is recommended;
If the neurological condition improves within 12-24 hours against the background of anti-inflammatory therapy, we continue to monitor the animal for 3-5-7 days. Then we cancel anti-inflammatory therapy and conduct a neurological examination after 24-48 hours. If pain and neurological deficit reappear, we perform a CT or MRI examination.

Why and how a dog limps on its hind leg

According to scientific data, lameness in dogs, in approximately 70% of cases, occurs in the hind limbs, of which 50% are diseases of the knee joints.

When a dog doesn't step on its back paw, an unusual gait occurs, and this is the most noticeable symptom that causes dog owners to go to the veterinary clinic.

Symptoms that owners most often pay attention to:

the dog is limping on its hind leg without visible damage;
restriction of limb movement while walking;
the dog does not step on its hind paw - it periodically or constantly holds its paw up;
unnatural position of the paw when the dog lies or sits;
the dog often licks or bites a limb;
periodic spontaneous screaming;
trembling in the limbs;
lameness due to acute pain and even in its absence;
swelling of a joint or some other part of the limb;
clicks are heard during movement, or a crunching sound (crepitus);
lameness occurs only under certain conditions, for example, immediately after sleep or only after jumping over an obstacle;
the presence of fluid (effusion) in the knee joint;
the dog does not lean on one paw or the other;
sometimes refusal to eat;
muscle atrophy - it is clear that the muscle mass of one paw is different from the other.

Degenerative diseases of the spine

The normal functioning of the hind legs in dogs can be caused by diseases of the spine, which are degenerative in nature as a result of metabolic disorders in its tissues. Pathological changes occur in the structure of certain parts of the spinal column.

Discopathy is a disease of the intervertebral discs, accompanied by displacement and destruction of the intervertebral discs. As a result of discopathy, the altered disc substance penetrates the spinal canal and clamps the spinal cord or the spinal nerve roots emerging from the spinal cord.

Clinically, discopathy in dogs is manifested by repeated attacks of severe pain: the dog freezes in one position (usually with an elongated neck and hunched back), severe trembling appears, shortness of breath, the hind legs give way and weaken. If the compression of the spinal cord or spinal roots is insignificant, the dog’s owners note only the weakness of the hind limbs - the dog seems to be dragging them, tries to transfer the body weight mainly on the front paws, cannot jump onto the sofa (chair, armchair), cannot bend over to the bowl or semi.

Older dogs of large and giant dog breeds are most susceptible to discopathy: Great Danes, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Doberman Pins and others. Clinical symptoms of the disease in these dog breeds usually progress slowly over several months or years.

Discopathy, which is often found in French bulldogs, is associated with the anatomical structure of the dog, when, during artificial selection, the spine of the bulldog became elongated, as a result of which it began to experience stronger loads, unlike the spine of dogs of other breeds. The distance between the vertebrae has become significantly greater than in ordinary dog breeds. Disc prolapse in a French Bulldog can occur not only during jumping, but possibly even during rest, when the dog lies quietly.

Spondylosis

When a dog has spondylosis, “local aging” of some vertebral segments occurs, causing the dog’s hind legs to fail.

Spondylosis as a disease progresses very slowly and therefore, at its early stage, it is practically not detected by veterinary specialists. With spondylosis, the outer fibers of the annulus fibrosus are initially damaged (the consistency of the nucleus pulposus is preserved), and then calcification of the anterior longitudinal ligament begins. Osteophytes develop, which, when examining the dog, especially on an x-ray, look like beak-shaped growths.

Osteocondritis of the spine

Osteochondrosis of the spine in dogs is considered by veterinary specialists to be the most severe form of the lesion. Osteochondrosis is based on degenerative processes in the intervertebral discs, often involving the vertebral bodies surrounding the intervertebral discs. At the same time, with osteochondrosis, changes occur in the ligamentous apparatus and intervertebral joints.

Etiology of osteochondrosis. The causes of osteochondrosis in dogs are:

Spinal injuries.
Rheumatoid lesions.
Violation associated with a malnutrition of the disk (disk microcirculation is disrupted).
Autoimmune diseases.
Heredity.

How can you tell which leg a dog is limping on?

It happens that the owner sees that the dog is limping on its hind leg, but does not understand which one. If there is a limp on the right limb, most will think that the dog is lame on the left paw. The fact is that it is not easy to distinguish between lameness and seizure in a dog.

A fall is a forced transfer of weight to a healthy limb. If the right paw hurts, the animal will try to shift its weight to the left, that is, it will fall on the left paw. This is what owners perceive as lameness. Although in fact the dog is taking care of the right sore limb.

If your pet has short legs, then in order to keep up with you, he has to move very quickly. Therefore, it is very difficult to understand which paw he is limping on. In this case, it is better to make a video recording of the gait, and then watch it in slow motion.

If the dog is short-legged with long hair or very fluffy (for example, a Pekingese), then recognizing lameness becomes even more difficult. After all, the animal walks as if wearing a skirt, under which its short legs are hidden.

But the most difficult thing is when the dog is limping on different legs. This is called intermittent claudication (eosinophilic panosteitis). That is, at one moment there is lameness on one limb, at another - on another, at the third - on a third.

As you understand, without a veterinarian it is very difficult to understand which limb the dog is actually limping on. But, most importantly, you will not be able to understand on your own why your gait is impaired.

YES, WE NEED AN ORTHOPEDIST

Diagnostics

If a dachshund drags its hind legs because they have failed, you need to find out the reason by making an accurate diagnosis. The veterinarian conducts an examination, finds out how much sensitivity has been lost and prescribes tests and research:

blood and urine tests;
Ultrasound of internal organs;
computed tomography;
X-ray examination with contrast.

"Pills for Lameness"

A “pill for lameness” purchased at a veterinary pharmacy will not cure, but will only blur the symptoms and lead to aggravation of the problem.

Veterinary pharmacies usually recommend purchasing a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This drug suppresses pain and inflammation, reduces the production of inflammatory mediators, which further destroy bones and joints.

A pain reliever may also be recommended. Pain is the emotional coloring of some sensations that are perceived only in the head. Therefore, after using an anesthetic, the paw also continues to hurt, but the brain does not understand this, that is, the drug blocks the modulation of pain in the brain, therefore, the dog feels better.

When a pet does not step on its back paw, this does not mean that it has an orthopedic problem or injury.

Anti-inflammatory or painkillers can only temporarily dull the pain if the animal really has a problem with the limb. After using an NSAID or an anesthetic, the dog experiences the least discomfort - the paw practically does not hurt, the dog runs and jumps - the owner is happy. However, uncontrolled use of such drugs leads to bad consequences.

Three big disadvantages of uncontrolled anti-inflammatory and analgesic treatment:

The lameness goes away, and that’s bad! Essentially, we are masking the symptoms. While the dog is limping, it at least somehow tries to protect its paw, so further mechanical destruction of the limb does not occur. As soon as you give your pet an anti-inflammatory or painkiller, she begins to lead an active lifestyle - running and jumping. However, the original problem does not go away. If the dog had a problem, for example, with a joint, then this pathology will remain so. As a result, the pet injures the limb even more, which leads to ligament ruptures, complete destruction of the joint, etc.
As soon as you stop giving the drug, the lameness will immediately return.
NSAIDs and painkillers have a number of side effects, so uncontrolled use of such drugs can even lead to bloody diarrhea. There is no need to add problems to either the dog or yourself.

So what should we do?

In 99% of cases, lameness does not go away on its own, because it is not a disease, but a symptom of some other pathology. The lucky 1% are dogs with certain anatomical features, or with a minor initial cause of the problem.

The longer the dog’s gait is impaired, the more the actual disease worsens, which ultimately leads not only to excruciating pain, but also to the fact that the pet will not be able to move independently.

Remember, when a dog is limping on its hind leg, it means that there is a disease involved that is hidden from our eyes. You can read dozens of articles on orthopedics and traumatology, but without using diagnostic equipment you still won’t be able to make a diagnosis on your own. And without a diagnosis there is no correct treatment.

The dog is uncomfortable, it hurts - in this case, you can’t wait for it to go away on its own. Be sure to show your pet to a veterinarian.

YES, WE NEED AN ORTHOPEDIST

Symptoms

The occurrence of a hernia or discopathy predetermines special behavior. The dog will freeze, taking a certain position. The animal's neck will stretch forward and its back will hunch. Breathing will become heavy, the dog will suffer from shortness of breath. Weakness of the paws causes a fall.

Injury to the spine will cause swelling. The cause of swelling is the closed access to oxygen and blood. Local inflammation. Prolonged retention of edema, which compresses the spinal cord and nerves, leads to the death of nerve cells. The sensitivity of the hind limbs will be impaired. This is typical for older representatives.

Inflammation of the paraanal glands causes the accumulation of aggressive secretions in the glands. This behavior of the body causes pain. If you press on the area under the tail, a secretion will appear that has an unpleasant odor. The spread of inflammation damages nearby tissues. If secretions enter the abdominal cavity, it is fatal! Late intervention leads to paralysis of the hind limbs.

Inflammation of the uterus provokes the appearance of pus. A large amount of it can lead an animal to a lethal state. Surgery is required. Taking medications aggravates the painful condition, making it difficult to control the paws.

An unsteady, broken gait, accompanied by an arched back, hints at the presence of a tumor. A dog with a tumor constantly falls. The process of bowel movement is difficult. A sick pet refuses to eat.

Why won't my dog step on its back paw, or how can a veterinarian help?

The most important reason you take your dog to the veterinarian is to get a diagnosis!

Now there are dozens of treatment regimens for any disease, but none of them will work if the diagnosis is initially made incorrectly. And in order for the doctor to understand what exactly is wrong with your dog, you need to conduct a full consultation. Be prepared for your veterinarian to ask you a lot of questions.

The reception will begin with communication

As soon as you enter the office with your dog, the doctor will immediately pay attention to the animal’s gait. But the appointment will begin with a survey (collecting an anamnesis) - he will clarify the breed, age, body weight of the animal, feeding and housing conditions.

General questions about your dog's health may reveal other medical conditions that are underlying causes of lameness.

The veterinarian will take into account the breed characteristics and age . This will help cross out some of the suspected diagnoses. For example, in an older dog, the doctor will not look for hip dysplasia or developmental abnormalities because the dog has already grown up. Conversely, there is no point in looking for degenerative osteoarthritis in a young puppy, since not enough time has passed for it to develop. Such patterns of diseases make it possible to filter out a whole list of diagnoses.

Body weight is very important, because excess weight increases the load on the joints, which accelerates their destruction. Also, fat is not just excess mass, it is tissue that actively produces pro-inflammatory hormones. In overweight animals, joints, skin, ears, kidneys, liver, heart are more likely to become inflamed, wounds heal worse, etc.

Overweight dog

The doctor will definitely ask what you feed your dog. According to scientific data, with an incorrectly formulated diet, an animal can not only experience obesity, but also phosphorus-calcium metabolism is disrupted , due to which calcium is washed out of bone structures (osteodystrophy). All this leads to brittle bones and frequent injuries.

At the appointment, you will have to remember whether there have been any previous injuries or surgeries.

Next, the veterinarian will ask about lameness:

Which hind leg does a dog lame on? Is it always the same paw, or does the pet limp on one limb or the other?
How long ago did the uneven gait appear? This is important to understand what course of the disease is acute or chronic.
Under what circumstances does lameness appear - always, or only in the morning or after a walk? Lameness after resting usually indicates degenerative changes in the joints - these are problems that appear in most dogs in old age. Increased lameness after running or jumping usually indicates problems with muscles, tendons or ligaments.

A detailed survey will allow you to eliminate those diagnoses that do not fit the characteristics of your dog (i.e. differentiate diagnoses). Also, detailed information that you share with your veterinarian may indicate that the real cause of lameness is not hidden in the paw.

While you talk in detail about your dog, the veterinarian will definitely pay attention to how the animal stands, sits, lies, how it changes its position and transfers weight from paw to paw.

It is very important to take into account the positions of the dog's paws when it lies, sits, rises and walks.

The dog must be examined from ears to tail.

Don't be surprised if the dog's body temperature is measured, fur is examined, limbs are compared, and vertebrae are felt.

Sometimes during an examination, the doctor notices congenital deformation of the limbs , which occurs due to impaired bone growth. In this case, the dog limps mechanically not because it is in pain, but because its paws are of different lengths. In some cases, it is possible to correct the defect through surgery. Sometimes such a defect is possible after complex operations on the limb have already been performed (for example, after arthrodesis of a joint).

When a dog does not step on its hind paw, the first thing to look at is the paw pads . Calluses (corns), cuts, punctures, splinters, burns, frostbite, ingrown claws - these are the simplest and most understandable problems, but owners often do not notice them.

Claw embedded in paw pad

Help involves removing the foreign object, trimming the nails, treating the resulting wound, or possibly applying stitches.

04/13/18 What is first aid for wounds?

Often the cause of lameness can be dermatological problems . For example, furunculosis, sometimes interdigital dermatitis. In this case, the orthopedist will transfer the animal to another specialist, which is advisable.

Gait disturbances also occur with endocrinological diseases . For example, with Cushing's syndrome, there is loss of muscle mass, bone destruction, and lameness. Another disease of the endocrine system is hypothyroidism, in which dogs easily gain excess weight, which subsequently aggravates any pathologies.

But most often lameness is caused precisely because of pain. And this pain is not always in the paw itself. It happens that the reason lies in the discs of the spinal column . For example, severe pain in the lumbosacral region due to the fact that the vertebrae pinch (compression) the nerve endings (sciatic nerve root), causing cauda equina syndrome. In this case, the dog will also limp, as if its paw hurt.

I need to take a walk

If the veterinarian understands that the cause is truly orthopedic in nature, then further examination continues in motion.

At the veterinary clinic, the dog is stressed - she understands that something is clearly wrong, she is agitated and constrained. Sometimes the floor in the facility is slippery, so the pet walks on its claws, and this is no longer informative. Usually the room is cramped, there are different medicinal smells around, and there are other animals sitting in the corridor.

The best decision is to examine the dog’s gait in a spacious office or hallway, or even better, on the street in natural conditions. Outside the clinic, the dog habitually walks on the asphalt, because it is not slippery and not scary. It smells like the street outside, and the dog loosens up. Sometimes the doctor has to wait a few minutes so that the pet has time to sniff surrounding objects, new corners and paths. And only then can you see the natural gait and carefully examine the lameness.

Gait is often assessed at different paces: slow, fast, trot, canter if possible. The doctor can also lift the dog by the front or back legs - this way the diseased limb can be identified more quickly.

Thorough examination and orthopedic tests

When the doctor has realized which limb the dog is limping on, now he needs to determine the degree of lameness - to understand exactly where the paw hurts, down to the joint or muscle.

To understand this, the examination is carried out in the office: the animal is seated, placed on a table or laid on its side. The doctor carefully determines the range of motion in the joint, feels the paw - suddenly, in addition to pain, there is also swelling, crunching, etc. During the examination, the dog may try to bite or simply yelp - this allows you to understand where to look for the problem.

Sometimes the animal cannot be examined without anesthesia or sedation (shallow anesthesia)

After determining the location of the problem, the doctor may conduct special orthopedic tests and additional studies: x-rays, computed tomography, MRI or joint puncture.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear test for drawer syndrome in a dog

And only after a thorough examination can the doctor make a diagnosis, determine the prognosis and prescribe treatment.