My dog's back legs are swaying and he keeps falling. What should I do?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be due to a neurologic condition such as a herniated disc. I recommend that you have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for this and treat him accordingly. Best of luck!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Harley. I suspect that he may be in pain or he could have a problem with his spine or hips. A problem with his spine would explain the issues he has been having with both the front and hind legs. He could have a slipped disc. I would take him into a vet asap. The vet can diagnose what is causing his problem and can treat him. I would suspect the vet will want to do x-rays. I hope this helps!

Hello. Bubba needs to see a veterinarian very quickly incase you are describing a corneal ulcer. He may also need to be x-rayed to see why he is having so much trouble walking. He is still young enough that early intervention can hopefully be done to help restore strength to his hind legs. I hope you can have him seen soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! There are a few conditions that can affect a dog's ambulation such as a back injury or an injury to the legs per se. Sometimes weakness in the hind limbs can be caused by things like dehydration. Vomiting can be indicative of conditions such as gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal obstruction, pancreatitis, dietary indiscretion, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and treat accordingly. Good luck and have a good night!

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. With the intermittent nature of the symptom you are describing and that it happens every 2 or 3 months, this could be a neuromuscular disease, neurological condition, back problem or a heart condition. I would recommend having your veterinarian examine Storm so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

This is most likely from a bulging intervertebral disc pressing on the nerves to his legs. I recommend a veterinary exam and spinal X-ray to be sure. Then as long as he’s walking I recommend pain medication, muscle relaxers and I treat these dogs with laser and acupuncture. He needs to rest, no running or jumping and short slow leash walks for three weeks. Usually this will improve with treatment in three to four weeks. He also could rupture the intervertebral disc and become paralyzed. That is a medical emergency and he may need surgery by a specialist so he could walk again. Please take him in soon and get treatment. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Armor.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am concerned that this is likely due to a neurological abnormality such as a herniated disc which can be a surgical emergency. However, other things are possible. This does warrant a veterinary evaluation as soon as possible for further assessment and treatment. They can then recommend therapy accordingly. Best of luck!