Why does my dog skip on one back leg but still use it sometimes?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Yorkshire Terrier | Male | neutered
My dog is skipping on one back leg. He does put some weight on it sometimes, but when he runs he just skips in one.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on April 23rd, 2018
I am assuming Sonny is a small dog. In small dogs skipping on one back leg is often a sign of a luxating patella (knee cap). This can be surgically corrected, but does not necessarily need to be fixed as long as your dog is not in pain from this condition
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on April 8th, 2019
Hello, thank you for using PetCoach. Great question! Sounds like he has a luxating patella. I wouldn't say this is normal but it is common in smaller breed dogs. Depending on the severity of the problem surgery may be recommended to correct it. I suggest you consult with an orthopedic specialist for this problem. I have attached an article for you about this issue. Hope this helps. Best wishes. ( https://www.petcoach.co/article/luxating-patella/ )
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
Panda sometimes hops when he runs so his right hind is non weight bearing he does it for 2 or 3 strides then continues normally does not look lame or stay lame and does not do it all the time ideas as to why he would do that ?
Limping and skipping that quickly resolves within a few strides is often due to something called a luxating patella. This is a condition where the knee cap can move out of its groove and then pop back in. It is not an uncommon condition in Smaller breed dogs. If he is overall comfortable and happy I would ask your vet about this at your next visit. Other potential causes include a strain/sprain or other soft tissue injury.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello! I’ve recently discover this app and it’s great, so I thought I’d ask this question: I’ve had my dog for a year now, and ever since I got him he’ll sometimes skip while walking (like a little jump with his left back leg), but has never shown an
Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco. Great question! Sounds like he has a luxating patella. I wouldn't say this is normal but it is common in smaller breed dogs. Depending on the severity of the problem surgery may be recommended to correct it. I suggest you consult with an orthopedic specialist for this problem. I have attached an article for you about this issue. Hope this helps. Best wishes. ( https://www.petcoach.co/article/luxating-patella/ )
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
She's a mixed breed, weighs 9.8 lbs, almost 5 years old. I've noticed that she sometimes doesnt use her left rear leg to walk; she just skips. I've had it checked up, vet said there seemed to be no problem. I would like a second opinion. Thanks!
It could be that Chispa is suffering from a luxating patella, which is when the kneecap comes out of it's correct anatomical position. When this happens, you notice the dog skipping and not using the leg. Because it happens sometimes, that means the kneecap is going back into place. This can be felt with palpation of the knee, so you can take her into another vet for a second opinion. Depending in the severity of the luxation, surgery may be needed to keep her kneecap in place if she does have a luxating patella. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
hello, my male JRT (bailey) hops and skips sometimes whilst walking, ive heard this could be a dislocated knee but his knee looks normal, can you help me please?
Yes, this is a common sign seen with luxating patellas (dislocating knee cap). Small breeds like Bailey tend to be affected by it and it can have various ranges of severity. If Bailey is skipping, then it is likely a high-grade luxating patella and may need surgery to correct it. In order to get his condition diagnosed and treated, you'll need to start by scheduling an exam with your veterinarian. For more information about this condition, I recommend you read the article at the link below. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/luxating-patella-or-kneecap-in-dogs I hope that helps and Bailey gets better soon.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Panda is skipping quite a lot when he walks and trots he also is not keen on playing with his ball could he have a tendon injury in his knee no heat or swelling and can't see if patellar is moving or not am resting and giving metacam should I try tha
It could be Panda has a luxating patella, which is when the kneecap comes out of it's correct anatomical position, and it can cause the skipping. Rest him this weekend, and have him seen by vet on Monday.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My pug has problem walking. He uses his left leg over the right one. There is movement in the right leg. But cannot walk properly. He sits or bunny hops. Even gives more pressure on the front legs to move and stabilize. He does not use the right leg.
Based on your description, I would be concerned that your pug has a luxating patella. This would cause him to not use the leg properly because the knee cap is sliding out of it's correct anatomical position. This is a common condition in small breed dogs. I would have your dog seen by a vet first thing tomorrow. The vet can do a lameness exam and possibly x-rays to diagnose what is causing his lameness, and can discuss treatment with you. With a patella luxation, surgery may be required to fix it.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, I have a 'terrier owner' question. My Chorkie sometimes lifts his back leg for one stride then walking normally again without a care in the world. I've checked his foot, and nothing is wrong. Is it some sort of terrier wierdness or do other do
This sort of gait is very common in terrier types and is often due to issues with the knee cap or the groove in which it sits - often slipping or getting stuck over the groove can cause temporary lameness. If severe and uncomfortable or occurring very frequently, corrective surgery to reallign the knee cap and groove may be required
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I'm looking after my friends Pomeranian poodle. Many times he has been walking around and limped but was fine 5 minutes later, however this time he's only walking on 3 legs. I haven't seen this before, is there anything I can do? I've tried touching
In small breed dogs, there is a common condition called a luxating patella. This is when the kneecap comes out of it's correct anatomical position, causing the limping, and once it slips back into place, the limping stops. That is likely what is causing Max's intermittent lameness. He should see a vet for it when his owners come back, but if he does keep on walking on three legs, he should see a vet sooner. That would mean the kneecap hasn't gone back into the correct position, and it will be painful for him. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. The vet can prescribe him a safe pain medication.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has been examined by different orthopedic vets which say that the patellas can’t be luxated but that they are movable. The right patella can be moved up on the medial edge of the groove but not over/out of the groove. My dog skips a few steps
Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach! Luxating patellas come in different grades. Grade 1 medial luxating patella (MPL) can present with occasional skipping / hopping. The dog typically will do this to get the knee cap (patella) back in place. Grade 1 MPLs typically do not warrant surgical intervention and grade 2 MPLs also may not warrant surgical intervention. MPL can be positional depending on how the dog is running or standing and on exam, the patella is difficult to luxate. I would not recommend surgical intervention at this point since it is so early on and very intermittent. Here is an article I wrote on my website about MPL and surgical vs. non surgical options. Physical therapy typically will help surrounding musculature but will not correct any bone defects / abnormalities (which are typically the causes of MPL). Eventually, the skipping / limping may become so prevalent and severe that surgery may be needed. X-rays can aid in diagnosing as well. If you need a second op
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Our yorkie jumped off the couch arm last week. She has been limping off & on since then. She isn't acting any differently, just won't always put weight on the back paw. We can touch her leg without any reaction, no pain. I've checked inside the paw b
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! It is possible Suzi has a luxating patella. This is common in small breed dogs. It means the patella (knee cap) is not sitting in the groove of the knee and sometimes slips out of place. When that happens, the knee cannot bend properly and therefore the pet limps. I would recommend taking Suzi to the vet to confirm this is what is going on. They may need to take radiographs to rule out other concerns. Even though you cannot find the pain, there could be some. If the vet finds it, they will be able to prescribe something safe for her to take. Good luck and kisses to Suzi!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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