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How to Treat a Dog With Quivering Back Legs

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How to Treat a Dog With Quivering Back Legs

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You can’t always trust your dog’s behavior, but you have to take his symptoms seriously.

If your dog is showing signs of trembling or quivering in his back legs, then it could be a serious problem.

This article will help you understand why and how to treat a dog with quivering back legs.

How to Treat a Dog With Quivering Back Legs

Why Does My Dog’s Leg Shake?

The rear legs of a dog will typically shake when the muscles contract or spasm abnormally, which is most commonly caused by nerve disorders, degenerative diseases, infections, injuries, and more.

The condition is known as back leg weakness until its root cause can be determined and diagnosed.

Most people witness this phenomenon in their pet dogs at some point during their lives.

However, it’s important to remember that shaking due to lower leg problems doesn’t necessarily mean the animal has a serious medical issue; rather than panicking about what’s causing your dog’s leg to shake (and potentially even over-reacting), keep in mind that there are many possible causes for this symptom that may not require urgent action on your part.


Unwanted trembling or quivering isn’t always caused by an injury; sometimes it’s simply because of overexertion from too much playing or exercise.

Or it could be triggered by extreme excitement after running around with other animals—especially other furry friends who they know.

Symptoms of Rear Leg Weakness in Dogs

There are several other important symptoms that might indicate a dog’s leg weakness, so it’s important to watch closely for any of the following signs:

  • Apathy or indifference to exercise
  • Changes in character
  • Severe lack of coordination and balance
  • Staggering into furniture  
  • Inability to walk long distances  
  • Limping  
  • Inability to support body weight
  • Clear difficulty standing up
  • Whining or barking when back legs are touched  
  • Marked weight loss
  • Collapsing

If your dog is experiencing any of these problems, then you should take him in for a check-up at an animal hospital.

Remember that dogs experience tremors occasionally, but if they occur often—particularly if they affect one side more than the other—then have them checked out by a vet as soon as possible.

Causes of Weakness in A Dog’s Back Legs

The most common causes of your dog’s leg shaking are the following reasons and syndromes: Injury or accident The simplest (but often the most obvious) cause of a dog’s sudden hind leg weakness could be injury or accident.

A sprain, strain, or tear in your dog’s muscles can occur as they run too much, play too hard, do not stretch enough before exercise, or suffer some other kind of impact on their body.

Dogs can also injure their back legs while playing with children who pull them around on leashes that are tied tightly around their necks causing strain on the spine; this is why it is important for you to supervise any interactions between dogs and children.

How to Treat a Dog With Quivering Back Legs

Other Causes of A Dog Having Weak and Shaking Back Legs

If your dog has weak back legs, it could be a sign of many different health problems.

Weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters is often caused by spinal injury or disease and can affect dogs at any age.

The most common cause is intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) which affects approximately 20 percent of all large breed dogs and causes partial to complete loss of bladder function, bowel control, and muscle strength in the rear legs.

If you notice that this only occurs when your dog attempts to get up from lying down, then it may be a case of IVDD.

It’s important to rule out more serious conditions before treating for IVDD because if not treated quickly enough it can lead to permanent damage such as paraplegia – inability to use the legs at all-or quadriplegia—paralysis from the neck down; both are life-threatening situations that require immediate medical care!

Other possible causes include cancer, Cushing’s Disease (a tumor on the pituitary gland that can cause weakness), and a neurological disorder called Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome (LEMS).

If you suspect that your dog is suffering from any of these conditions, then it’s important to take him in for a check-up at an animal hospital.

Remember that dogs experience tremors occasionally, but if they occur often—particularly if they affect one side more than the other—then have them checked out by a vet as soon as possible.

If your veterinarian suspects IVDD or LEMS, be sure to ask about rehabilitation options so you and your dog can return to a normal life together!

Treatments and Recovery for Weak Back Legs

Weak hind legs in dogs can be caused by a number of different factors.

However, the first sign is usually noticeable weakness or instability when walking or running.

Common causes include arthritis and an underlying spinal condition called intervertebral disc disease (IVDD).

IVDD is more common than you might think, but it’s also highly treatable if caught early.

The degree of recovery depends on how long the animal has been affected and whether any damage to the spine has occurred.

Paralysis in one or both back legs may occur suddenly due to trauma such as falling downstairs; other times it develops over time due to degenerative conditions such as canine osteoarthritis (OA) which typically leads to painful bumps on the dog’s joint surfaces called ‘boney spurs’ that develop once cartilage starts wearing away with age.

Spinal injuries that affect nerves can cause paralysis too – for example, cervical myelopathy – where there are issues affecting your dog’s neck.

How to Treat a Dog With Quivering Back Legs

Final Thoughts, How to Treat a Dog With Quivering Back Legs

If your dog is having trouble with their back legs, then it could be that they have a range of different painful conditions affecting them.  

The symptoms will vary depending on which condition your pet has, so it’s important to know what these signs and symptoms are in order to identify the specific illness or disease.

When you notice any weakness or shaking in a dog’s back legs, take them for an immediate check-up at the vet.  

Knowing the causes of leg weakness can help you to provide your pet with better treatments and care, resulting in improved quality of life (and hopefully many more years together).

FAQs

Why are my Dogs’ back legs shaving when lying down?

There are a few potential reasons why your dog’s back legs might be shaving when they lie down. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eOne possibility is that they are experiencing some sort of pain or discomfort in their back legs, which is causing them to shift around more than usual. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eAlternatively, it could be that they are getting older and their skin is thinning, which makes it more likely for them to shave as they move around.

Is there dog back leg shaking treatment?

There are a few things you can do to help your dog if they are experiencing leg shaking. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eFirst, make sure they are getting enough exercise and have a healthy diet. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eIf that doesn’t seem to be the issue, you can try massage therapy or acupuncture to help loosen up any tight muscles. u003cbru003eu003cbru003eIf all else fails, your veterinarian may prescribe medication to help ease the shaking.

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