My senior dog's back legs are wobbly, slipping, but she's not in pain?

Question

My 12 year old chihuahua Daisy, has just started to walk differently. She's about 9 pounds and overall extremely healthy besides periodontal disease. I've noticed that when she plays fetch now, her legs sometimes slip out from underneath her. Almost like her hips or knees are getting wobbly and weak. She never seems to be in pain anywhere and let's me bend her knees and touch her hips. Could this be old age? Bad hips? Luxating patella? Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | spayed | 11 years and 10 months old | 8 lbs

Cara, DVM, cVMA · Accepted Answer

It's not normal for dogs to get weak in their hind end just due to old age. She could have arthritis in her hips or back that is causing the weakness. Luxating patella typically causes lameness in the affected limb and they will hold the leg up when it pops out, so I'm not sure that that fits. I would have her checked out by your vet, they may want to take x-rays of her hips and back to help determine what is going on.

My senior dog's back legs are wobbly, slipping, but she's not in pain?

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