My dog is swaying and I'm worried. Is it a leg injury or serious?

Yes, it could be Ziggy has pulled a muscle or injured herself. I recommend resting her for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take her out to toilet on a leash, and bring her right back in when she's done. If she still appears to have trouble with that leg after that time, then I would take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose what is causing this, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. She may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give her any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given.

I am so sorry Bronson is having this issue. I would call your veterinarian and make an appointment. Bronson could have a few different things going on. The only way to definitively rule things out or determine the cause of the falling of his legs is a complete physical examination. From the description you provided I am concerned that Bronson has a bulging disk in his back. I hope Bronson feels better soon and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Your dog needs to be examined by a vet right away to determine the cause. Your vet can run labwork to help diagnose and treat. It could be secondary to an infection, metabolic disease, endocrine disease, neoplasia, or a neurological problem.

It is hard to say for sure what the problem is without pictures / video and not being able to examine Mickey. The loss of balance could be contributed to something that Mickey got into (drugs, toxic chemicals, etc.) or Mickey could be experiencing vestibular disease, which can cause the loss of balance you are describing. As for the leg that appears to be pounding, I am unsure as to what the cause of that would be. Is there any sign of trauma? The leg may be painful and that may be causing Mickey to lose balance. If you are able to, I would recommend having Mickey examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made.

The two problems may be related or not. If they are, the underlying injury (soft tissue or bone tissue damage) is probably so severe to cause the loss of balance; in the the other case the loss of balance could be related to a dysfunction of the vestibular system (that part of the nervous system in charge of the balance). In both cases Sadie would require a physical examination to confirm these clinical suspicion and appropriate treatment. Radiographs may be needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Do not give any medications to your dog without the advice of your veterinarian. Many OTC medications can be toxic to pets. Ideally, Ziggy should be examined by your veterinarian or a veterinary orthopedic specialist to diagnose ligament damage, arthritic conditions, fractures or tumors. X-rays of the knees and hips will likely be recommended. These can be done under anesthesia or sedation. A veterinary house all service may be an option for an exam. Afterwards, a sedative and/or pain management can be dispensed to make the trip to the clinic easier and less stressful for all parties.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be an indication of pain or discomfort. This could be due to a neurological issue or an orthopedic issue. Regardless, it does seem like he should see a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and treatment. At the very least they can prescribe pain control medications if he seems unconfortable. Good luck and have a good night!