Saturday, April 28, 2018

Caused Of Dog Dragging Hind Leg

By Daniel Schmidt


The occurrence of hind leg weakness, nail scraping on the ground, bent toes or difficulty rising can all pose a cause for concern and must be investigated by a professional vet. Dog dragging hind leg is a symptom of rear end weakness including degeneration, compromised nerve health and injury. Learn of the reasons for this uncomfortable and restricting condition in your pet before it becomes problematic.

When your canine companion appears to be moving normally one day and suffers lameness the next, it could reveal degeneration affecting the health of the spinal nerves. A disease, myelopathy, causes degeneration of the spine, affecting the normal function of the nerves and leaving the affected pet with limited movement or hind limb dragging. The spine is compromised leaving the back legs weak and difficult to move.

The presence of myelopathy does not have a positive prognosis and the rear legs will continue to drag and suffer lameness that leads to a state of complete paralysis. This disorder does not require surgery and is managed long term with vitamins and minerals. A certified veterinarian can advise on ways of strengthening the supporting tissues but cannot stop the progression of this disease.

Hip dysplasia is a common source of dysfunction causing difficult mobility and the abnormal swaying of the hips during movement. When a dog is impacted by these types of deformities, it can occur at any age and must be managed with rehabilitation and constant monitoring. To prevent symptoms from worsening over time, rehabilitation exercises are important and should be performed under the guidance and care of a professional animal therapist.

The sudden injury to the knee joints leaving affected canines to limp and strain while walking, is cruciate ligament damage. The ligament connected to the knee joint suffers damage and snaps during rough play, jumping or movement causing dragging and lameness. Surgical correction is the only means of correction and must be performed by a highly specialized vet.

Whether young or old, dogs are active and whether slipping on the floor or running during play, injuries can become a reality. A canine could suffer severe muscle sprains and tears preventing them from placing their full body weight n the affected limb, leaving them to drag and limp. Rest, cold compresses and the slow introduction of activity are best to recover from canine muscle sprains.

Pets suffering from a bacterial infection or poisoning may show signs of hind limb dragging and weakness. When pets are extremely ill, they will begin to drag one or both limbs and eventually will not be able to stand at all. If your canine companion is no longer interested in food, appears lethargic, and is soiling in unusual spots, it could be a sign of a system shut down.

Basic checks you can perform at home include feeling the paw for signs of thorns or stings that would cause irritation. Inflammation, tenderness or worsening of the dragged leg will have to be inspected by a certified veterinarian to avoid deadly infections and provide relief. With the correct plans and progress, all pets can receive the correct therapies to address their balanced function.




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