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My dog can't walk, dragging her back legs. What's the cause?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | spayed | 5 years and 11 months old | 60 lbs

A couple of days ago my dog started to limp but on just one leg. She had hip and a leg problem when she was older but we fixed it by walking her on it because she tweaked it while running. So, that is what we did in this case. However, we let her go until the next day and she could not walk at all on her rear legs. Her back is slightly hunched and her tail doesn’t real wag, as we have to carry her everywhere because she just drags her back legs. She doesn’t however still go to the bathroom when

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on September 9th, 2018

I would recommend that Mocha get checked out by the vet. If she can't move her back legs, she could have neurologic damage to part of her spinal cord. This can happen if she slipped an intervertebral disc. Other possible causes include other neurologic disease, some muscular disorders, severe pelvic pain, some infectious causes, among others. The vet will do a thorough physical, neurologic, and orthopedic exam to determine the next necessary diagnostics. Here is some information on disc disease in dogs: https://www.petcoach.co/article/intervertebral-disc-ruptured-disc-disease-in-dogs/

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    Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 10th, 2019

    This could be pretty serious. I suggest you get Millie to your vet for an exam. My first thought was she had an FCE but if she can use her back legs today that is less likely. Regardless, she may have really injured her back/spine and should at least be seen so you can get her some medications to help her feel better. Usually steroids or NSAIDS are indicated along with muscle relaxers and pain medications. ( https://vetspecialists.com/fibrocartilaginous-embolism-fce-in-pets-dogs-and-cats/ )

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