Skip to content

Back legs collapsing

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
  • My B girl is 13 years old and has developed osteoarthritis in her front leg for which she is being treated successfully. However, in the last two months her back legs seem to have lost their spring. She finds it difficult jumping up on the couch or the bed and sometimes she falls backwards when trying. She also finds it difficult walking upstairs. Her gate is affected and she slopes from the back when standing - even her tail unravels! The vet does not seem overly concerned. But I was wondering if you might know of this condition and might be able to recommend something.
    Best wishes from Australia

  • This is often something an acupuncturist Veterinarian can help you with. If your vet doesn't offer this treatment, he might be able to recommend you to one who does. Once a week or so to start with and decreasing quite soon to monthly and then, just boosters from time to time.

    I am a great believer in this alternative for old folks.

  • It would be worth checking thyroid levels. Our 12.5yo basenji was having similar, but not as severe sounding, issues going up stairs or jumping up on the chair. A diagnosis of hypothyroidism and medicine for a few months solved all those issues. We too thought it was just old age but then noticed some bald spots on his tail and ear tips and got his thyroid levels checked. The vet said he was likely deficient for long enough that it started affecting his neuromuscular system.

  • One thing that might help is to buy / build ramps. My vet told me that going up and down stairs, along with jumping on and off furniture is not good for an older dog. So whatever you can do to minimize that should help.

  • Has a complete set of blood work been done? Electrolytes may be off. Ionized calcium (which is not often checked) may be out of range. Tick diseases may lead to neural issues. Previous ‘old’ damage or minor defects of the vertebrae, discs or spinal cord may become more significant with age. A good chiropractor or, as previously mentioned, acupuncturist may be able to help. If you feel that it really is not due to aging, a visit with a neurologist might help.

Suggested Topics

  • Please we need advise on broken leg

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    senjisillyS
    My old girl Ella had a shattered rear leg from being hit by a car. My options were amputation or surgery. I opted for surgery. She did have a plate inserted but that was because she had bone pieces removed and the plate was there to connect what was left of her leg bones. We had casts, lots of casts. The vet told me to keep her quiet, not let her roam around, absolutely no stairs, and to wear an e-collar if not well supervised. Ella did not listen to the vet. I blocked the stairs with a baby gate but she managed to jump it while wearing the cast which went all the way up her leg. She perforated her e-collars to where I could use them as colanders. I also had to find a high calorie food (not high protein but high calorie) because the veterinary surgeon said she would need twice the caloric intake in order to heal quickly. I ended up hand feeding her a mix of kibble and canned food. She healed fast and well. Ella ended up with a slightly shorter rear leg but she could still run like the wind. She lived 11 more years and died at age 14.5. I have seen photos of the halo type device on one of the Facebook groups, "Basenji". You may have to join the group but here is the link to the post https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1904813413071092&set=gm.1407068002664730&type=3&hc_location=ufi I am sure you can contact the owner of this dog, Maria Eriksson‎, but please remember that English is not her native language as the "Basenji" group is international.
  • Issues with legs

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    2k Views
    D
    How old is your dog? I would take her to a specialty clinic or university clinic that would have both a neurologist and an orthopedist. My 1 year old deaf rescue girl who is a herding/spitz mix has shuffling feet, tremors, and other problems. She was seen first by the neurologist and they suggested x-rays and more testing. My regular vet did take x-rays of the neck, back and hips. I took her to an orthopedist to review the x-rays. Since she was a stray they do not know what caused the problem but it was suggested distemper or perhaps another infectious disease. I just took her to an opthalmologist and her eyes are good but she does have sensitivity to light. Distemper almost always causes eye problems. The specialists are suggesting an MRI of the back, neck and a spinal tap for her. If your dog was adopted as a puppy or an older pup, I would check with the Humane Society to see if she may have had distemper or some other disease. Did she have an accident where she might have injured her back or neck? You might want to look into getting a doggy wheelchair since she has good movement in her front legs. I am sorry for the problems your girl is having and I hope you find out what is causing it. Jennifer
  • Back problems/ defecation issues

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    5k Views
    W
    oh yes hes on metacam now for pain but also because it is supposed to help with the swelling of the discs when he comes off that in a week we have to wait for a few days then we will put him on steroids to ease the swelling of the discs i guess right now the crucial thing is to make the discs go back to the size they should be so they dont infringe on the spinal cord or nerves which would be really really bad for sebastian
  • Involuntary Leg Movement

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    6k Views
    W
    We do use a flea product on them, but not Advantixs and we have used the same product for years. Although every batch could be a little different, and who knows how regulated those products are. I did look at the possible side effects listed on the package, but of course not enough information is provided. Thanks for the advice.
  • 0 Votes
    9 Posts
    3k Views
    tanzaT
    No, I meant it takes about a week to get the test and usually 2 to 3 weeks for the results once they are received back at the lab. Please read my post about breeding on the other thread
  • Exercise-Induced Collapse

    Basenji Health Issues & Questions
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    nala121498N
    A friend of mine has an 80 lb. chocolate lab that has it. I can get details, but his symptoms only showed up when he became a "senior" and has only had a few episodes. It's pretty much the classic story of out on a walk, having fun and then laying down and having to carry him home. They also have another male, his litter mate - who doesn't have it.