For nearly three decades, Labrador Retrievers continue to reign supreme as the American Kennel Club’s Most Popular US Dog Breed. To hold that distinction for 29 years in a row is not surprising since Labs are affectionate, intelligent, and fun-loving family dogs. They are also known for their trainability and versatility, so that you see members of the breed in various endeavors such as search-and-rescue missions, drug and weapons detection, and guide dogs for the visually impaired.
For individuals who have Labs as loyal companions, it can be very distressing when they see their beloved dog suddenly limping or, worse, collapsing because of problems with their hind legs.
Here’s what you need to know about back leg problems in Labradors.
Signs of Back Leg Problems
Despite being a sturdy breed, Labrador Retrievers are prone to problems in their hind legs. This is due to a genetic predisposition to certain diseases, their size and body frame, and weight distribution.
Before we go to the conditions that cause back leg problems, here are the signs that you need to watch out for that indicate that something’s wrong with your Lab’s hind legs:
- Lameness and/or stiffness of the back legs
- Slow, wobbly or staggering gait/Abnormal walking
- Poor coordination
- Loss of balance
- Muscle wasting in the hind legs
- Licking at swollen leg joints
- Weakness and lethargy
- Froggy style of sitting (with hips splayed out with legs extended behind them)
- Incontinence
- Inability to urinate
- Sudden collapse
- Difficulty in or Unable to get up after lying on the floor or on a doggy bed
- Absence of pain response when you pinch their paws
Possible Causes of Back Leg Problems
If your Lab presents with any of the signs and symptoms that are listed above, it may be due to any of the conditions that are listed below. Please note that an accurate diagnosis can only be made by a veterinarian after a complete physical examination and diagnostic procedures.
1) Injury
Because they are active, energetic dogs, Labs are prone to injuries as a result of their jumping around. Among the most common injuries that younger aged Labs sustain are bone and toe fractures and avulsions (or tearing) of leg parts below the knee. In middle-aged and elderly Labs, they may develop a partial or complete tearing in the ligament of the knee, a condition known as Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury.
2) Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)
Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is commonly seen in Labradors and other large breed dogs. In CHD, there is a malformation in the hip joint, wherein the head of the femur doesn’t fit properly and correctly into the socket at the hip. The reason for this improper fit is because the socket is shallow and not deep enough to accommodate the femur head. Because of this, the joint wear out faster, causing pain when the head and socket surfaces grind together.
There is a genetic predisposition for CHD. That is why the Orthopedia Foundation of Animals (OFA) requires breeders to have Lab parents tested for the condition. If a puppy has CHD, the signs will start to manifest at the age of two years old. In some cases, CHD may develop as a result of nutritional and environmental factors, or you may have these factors aggravating the existing genetic condition.
3) Osteoarthritis
Just as osteoarthritis afflicts elderly human beings, so too does this condition affect older dogs. Unfortunately, osteoarthritis in dogs is also accompanied by degenerative joint disease. You may find your Lab unable to walk because of weakness or pain in the legs.
4) Hormonal Disorders Related to the Pancreas
Your Lab may be afflicted by two hormonal disorders that are related to the pancreas. First is Canine Diabetes, which presents signs and symptoms that are similar to humans, such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, appetite changes, and hind leg weakness. This is frequently seen in senior dogs that are overweight. Second is Cushing’s Syndrome, which is characterized by excessive levels of the hormone, cortisol. This is a deceptive condition because it mimics the signs of aging in dogs, including increased drinking and urination, and increased appetite. However, it also manifests with weakness and muscle wasting in the hind legs. Cushing’s Syndrome increases the risk of pancreatitis developing in your Lab.
5) Myelopathies
Labs are susceptible to injuries or illnesses to the spinal cord, also known as myelopathies. A common condition in the breed is slipped discs as a result of their active behavior. Your Lab may also suffer from Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy (FCE), which develops when a piece of cartilage travels through the bloodstream and blocks a blood vessel in the spine. This causes a painful “stroke” in your dog resulting in paralysis. On the other hand, Degenerative Myelopathy is a painless, but gradually progressing disease wherein the dog exhibits hind leg weakness.
6) Tumors
Tumors may develop in any part of the body of your Lab (or other large-sized breed). Leg weakness occurs gradually over a long period of time until the dog collapses, unable to hold its weight any longer.
Treatment
When you notice back leg problems in Labradors, they must be brought to the veterinarian immediately for an assessment. Aside from a physical exam, the vet may have x-rays and MRI scans done to determine the cause.
Once the cause is determined, the vet may advise surgery, such as in the cases of CHD, tumors, and myelopathies. Dogs with hormonal problems may require regular injections of insulin and other medications. Conservative treatment includes putting the Lab on a weight loss program, reducing their physical and play activity, making changes in the home (putting ramps on stairs and couches) for ease of access to the dog, and wearing braces or other supportive devices for the hind legs.
Many back leg problems in Labradors can be treated. It is vital that they be detected early so that treatment can be done immediately before they become serious.
For individuals who have Labs as loyal companions, it can be very distressing when they see their beloved dog suddenly limping or, worse, collapsing because of problems with their hind legs.
Here’s what you need to know about back leg problems in Labradors.
Signs of Back Leg Problems
Despite being a sturdy breed, Labrador Retrievers are prone to problems in their hind legs. This is due to a genetic predisposition to certain diseases, their size and body frame, and weight distribution.
Before we go to the conditions that cause back leg problems, here are the signs that you need to watch out for that indicate that something’s wrong with your Lab’s hind legs:
- Lameness and/or stiffness of the back legs
- Slow, wobbly or staggering gait/Abnormal walking
- Poor coordination
- Loss of balance
- Muscle wasting in the hind legs
- Licking at swollen leg joints
- Weakness and lethargy
- Froggy style of sitting (with hips splayed out with legs extended behind them)
- Incontinence
- Inability to urinate
- Sudden collapse
- Difficulty in or Unable to get up after lying on the floor or on a doggy bed
- Absence of pain response when you pinch their paws
Possible Causes of Back Leg Problems
If your Lab presents with any of the signs and symptoms that are listed above, it may be due to any of the conditions that are listed below. Please note that an accurate diagnosis can only be made by a veterinarian after a complete physical examination and diagnostic procedures.
1) Injury
Because they are active, energetic dogs, Labs are prone to injuries as a result of their jumping around. Among the most common injuries that younger aged Labs sustain are bone and toe fractures and avulsions (or tearing) of leg parts below the knee. In middle-aged and elderly Labs, they may develop a partial or complete tearing in the ligament of the knee, a condition known as Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury.
2) Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD)
Canine Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is commonly seen in Labradors and other large breed dogs. In CHD, there is a malformation in the hip joint, wherein the head of the femur doesn’t fit properly and correctly into the socket at the hip. The reason for this improper fit is because the socket is shallow and not deep enough to accommodate the femur head. Because of this, the joint wear out faster, causing pain when the head and socket surfaces grind together.
There is a genetic predisposition for CHD. That is why the Orthopedia Foundation of Animals (OFA) requires breeders to have Lab parents tested for the condition. If a puppy has CHD, the signs will start to manifest at the age of two years old. In some cases, CHD may develop as a result of nutritional and environmental factors, or you may have these factors aggravating the existing genetic condition.
3) Osteoarthritis
Just as osteoarthritis afflicts elderly human beings, so too does this condition affect older dogs. Unfortunately, osteoarthritis in dogs is also accompanied by degenerative joint disease. You may find your Lab unable to walk because of weakness or pain in the legs.
4) Hormonal Disorders Related to the Pancreas
Your Lab may be afflicted by two hormonal disorders that are related to the pancreas. First is Canine Diabetes, which presents signs and symptoms that are similar to humans, such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, appetite changes, and hind leg weakness. This is frequently seen in senior dogs that are overweight. Second is Cushing’s Syndrome, which is characterized by excessive levels of the hormone, cortisol. This is a deceptive condition because it mimics the signs of aging in dogs, including increased drinking and urination, and increased appetite. However, it also manifests with weakness and muscle wasting in the hind legs. Cushing’s Syndrome increases the risk of pancreatitis developing in your Lab.
5) Myelopathies
Labs are susceptible to injuries or illnesses to the spinal cord, also known as myelopathies. A common condition in the breed is slipped discs as a result of their active behavior. Your Lab may also suffer from Fibrocartilaginous Embolic Myelopathy (FCE), which develops when a piece of cartilage travels through the bloodstream and blocks a blood vessel in the spine. This causes a painful “stroke” in your dog resulting in paralysis. On the other hand, Degenerative Myelopathy is a painless, but gradually progressing disease wherein the dog exhibits hind leg weakness.
6) Tumors
Tumors may develop in any part of the body of your Lab (or other large-sized breed). Leg weakness occurs gradually over a long period of time until the dog collapses, unable to hold its weight any longer.
Treatment
When you notice back leg problems in Labradors, they must be brought to the veterinarian immediately for an assessment. Aside from a physical exam, the vet may have x-rays and MRI scans done to determine the cause.
Once the cause is determined, the vet may advise surgery, such as in the cases of CHD, tumors, and myelopathies. Dogs with hormonal problems may require regular injections of insulin and other medications. Conservative treatment includes putting the Lab on a weight loss program, reducing their physical and play activity, making changes in the home (putting ramps on stairs and couches) for ease of access to the dog, and wearing braces or other supportive devices for the hind legs.
Many back leg problems in Labradors can be treated. It is vital that they be detected early so that treatment can be done immediately before they become serious.
