My German Shepherd Has Started To Drag and Knuckle Their Back Paws. What Should I Do? (2024)

FAQs

My German Shepherd Has Started To Drag and Knuckle Their Back Paws. What Should I Do? ›

Lift one paw up at a time and put it down with the knuckle under. If your dog doesn't correct the position of their paw and leaves their knuckle tucked under, they are probably knuckling. If your dog is knuckling call your vet immediately to schedule an appointment so they can diagnose and treat the underlying cause.

Degenerative Myelopathy

It is more common in German Shepherds than in other breeds. Degenerative Myelopathy is a progressive, and very sadly, fatal neurological disease. Degenerative Myelopathy typically begins in the hind legs making your dog wobbly or unbalanced.

Sometimes, dog knuckling can be treated with medication, physical therapy, or surgery. However, the condition's underlying cause must be diagnosed and addressed to prevent further damage to the dog's nervous system.

If your dog is dragging their rear paws, it is likely they have a medical condition called Paw Knuckling. It is important to read more about paw knuckling so you are fully equipped to help your dog. Paw knuckling can be a secondary condition of a primary illness or disease.

Puppy on the right, shows the inside leg as an example of the beginning of the early knuckling over we see at 5 - 7 weeks of age. This is not at all unusual and often corrects itself as the dog matures to 8 - 9 weeks of age, provided they are on the right diet.

Unfortunately, this steep angle in the back leg makes German Shepherds more susceptible to back pain and hind leg problems. In addition, due to the steeper angle of the leg, a German Shepherd's knee is closer to the ground, which can change their gait.

It is recommended to take your furry companion for brief yet consistent walks on a daily basis. This will aid in gradually restoring their hind-leg muscles. Let your dog swim in a safe place. Swimming provides a low-friction way to work their muscles and benefits their overall strength.

Some may resolve with supportive care and time while others may require surgery. And still others may never go away. There are many ways you can support your dog after he or she is diagnosed with a condition that causes knuckling.

What is dog splooting? ›

In short, splooting is a type of stretch that involves kicking one or both legs behind the body. The one leg sploot involves one leg behind while the other leg remains tucked underneath. This may look familiar to dog owners, however splooting is not an exclusively canine behavior.

Wobbler syndrome is a neurologic disease of dogs that affects their spine in the neck region. It is a very important and common cause of neurologic disability in large breed dogs. While rarely seen in small animals, wobbler syndrome most commonly impacts large and giant dog breeds as well as horses.

The real reason to why dogs do this is to mark their territory. Canines have scent glands in the back of their feet, and when they kick against the ground they are trying to leave behind their scent. Dogs who are dominant will do this with the goal to warn others dogs to stay away unless they want trouble.

You can recognize knuckling by watching for an uneven gait or unsteadiness when your puppy walks. If you do, have your puppy stand and lift one paw up at a time and put it down with the knuckle under. If your pup doesn't correct the position of their paw and leaves their knuckle tucked under, they are likely knuckling.

Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) is also referred to as a herniated or slipped disk. The intervertebral disks usually act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae. If the disk deteriorates, slips or protrudes it can compress the nerves and spinal cord. IVDD can cause the dog to suddenly drag his back legs.

Dog scooting usually means your dog's anus needs help

Without relief, your dog may develop an anal sac infection, or their anal sacs can rupture (yikes!). Happily, your veterinary team can check the situation, express the sacs, and relieve the pressure (and your worry).

It acts similarly to Lou Gehrig's disease, or ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), in humans. There is no cure for DM; however, routine physical therapy may delay the clinical progression of this disease.

The lifespan of a German Shepherd with hip dysplasia can vary depending on a number of factors, including the severity of the condition, the age of onset, and the effectiveness of treatment. On average, German shepherds with hip dysplasia can live about 7-10 years.