How to help my dog with missing back legs walk and move easier?

The rear leg braces are not useful. If she needs assistance getting up I recommend a Help em Up harness by Blue Dog designs. Taking Lucy to a Rehab veterinarian would be good if there is one near you. They can give you exercises to do at home and they may offer hydrotherapy and other treatments that can improve her comfort and mobility. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Lucy.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could potentially be due to trauma, infectious or neurological. If you are able to, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine him so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do without know for sure what this could be. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. You could take him in your house and make sure he is cage rested in case this is an injury and see how he does with cage rest.

I recommend seeing a rehab veterinarian. They will help you manage his care and can offer massage, exercise, laser and often acupuncture to keep him comfortable. They can fit him for a cart if he’s strong enough so he can go outside for walks with you. I’m a rehab veterinarian and I would never discuss euthanizing a happy dog unless he’s suffering with pain or sores. Learning how to keep him clean and happy is what we do so find a rehab veterinarian near you and take him there for treatment. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Jackie.

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!

It sounds like she is in pain and needs some physical therapy to help her learn to walk again. She has probably lost muscle from being in a cage so long. I recommend having her leg checked so you know where the lameness is from, like her knee, hip or foot, and seeing if there is a treatment for her lameness. They can also get her safe pain medication. She may walk better once the pain is under control. Use a harness and leash so you can assist her walking and get her up for many short walks during the day. As she gets some exercise she should improve. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Dobby.

I am so sorry to hear this. I would make sure she is on a joint supplement - I like dasuquin or flexadin. I would also look into the orthodog hip hound brace. I have had some of my geriatric patients who this has help tremendously with getting up. Unfortunately, it doesn't work on everyone. I would also talk to your vet about whether or not she needs a daily anti-inflammatory to help keep her comfortable. Finally, if you can find a vet in your area who specializes in acupuncture and Chinese herbs, this can be a tremendous help to increase the STRENGTH and decrease pain in an arthritic dog. I hope this helps!

If he’s over 65 lbs normally then I would purchase a large Help em Up harness. It’s fully adjustable and you should be able to fit him from the directions they send. When you have him standing, place the legs and paws in the normal position and try to have him hold up some of his weight. With the help em Up harness the rear part will have a strap underneath and that needs to be adjusted so it’s behind his penis. That way you can support him when peeing and pooping so he will stay cleaner and relearn how to go himself outside. You are doing a good job if you are able to encourage him to walk a little. Sitting to standing will build up his rear legs so he can get strong enough to push himself up again. He is older but with pain medication and your physical therapy exercises hopefully he’ll be able to rise on his own and walk again. He’s been laying around for a while now so it make take several weeks for him to improve. Thanks again for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.