My dog's front legs are stiff and stuck straight. What should I do?

I'm so sorry to hear about Sparky. The symptoms you describe are quite concerning. This could be the result of a toxin, an injury, metabolic imbalances or a seizure. I would recommend that you have Sparky seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. They will perform a complete physical exam including testing neurologic reflexes. They may also recommend blood work to better determine what is going on.

Going stiff in the back legs is not expected and is very concerning. I recommend to have her seen by her veterinarian today. Infections or toxins could cause both of the symptoms and these can be very serious. Just like with humans, getting an accurate diagnosis and early treatment gives a better prognosis. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

This looks like a neurological problem from a pinched nerve in her neck. I recommend a veterinary exam and she may need muscle relaxers and anti inflammatory medication. This is serious and without treatment this could get worse and she may not walk again. In the meantime I would straighten the legs into a normal position and help her stand on them properly. That will help maintain her normal leg strength and posture. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for your dog.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I’m so sorry to hear Pippy is having issues. I would recommend she be evaluated by her regular veterinarian as soon as possible, as an inability to move her legs can be a sign of a serious underlying issue. There are a variety of causes for what you are seeing, such as an infection (Lyme disease), neurological or orthopedic issue, among others. As some of these may be time sensitive, I would recommend she be evaluated as soon as possible to see what may be going on, and any treatment she may need. Good luck!

Poor Turbena! I'm afraid this is very concerning. Loss of function in the rear legs is most often due to a "slipped" or herniated disc in the spine, but could also be due to some other neurologic problem or illness. This problem needs immediate treatment for the best chance of recovery, so I would recommend taking Turbena to the vet now. He/she can do a complete neurologic exam as well as x-rays or other testing if needed to help diagnose the problem and get her started on appropriate treatment right away.

Oh dear! This is a very serious problem - I'm afraid she really has to see a vet right away. She may have a herniated disc in her back causing the paralysis, or some other neurologic problem affecting her spinal cord. She may be in pain, or she may have no feeling at all in her rear legs - it's impossible to say without an exam. She needs immediate treatment to have a reasonable chance of regaining function in her rear legs, I'm afraid there's nothing you can do at home that will help her. If costs are a concern, you can see if there is a low-cost SPCA clinic in your area that could help. You could also apply online for Care Credit, which is a payment plan accepted by most vet clinics: www.carecredit.com

Poor Buddy! I'm sorry to hear that he's having this problem. From your description, I would be concerned about a possible neurologic problem such as a stroke or brain tumor. He may also have severe arthritis issues, or may have a systemic illness of some kind or may have ingested something toxic. This sounds quite serious, so I would recommend taking him to an emergency clinic this evening for an exam. The veterinarian there can do blood work or other testing if needed to help diagnose the problem and see what can be done to help.