Weakening Back Legs

[Workingmummy19]

My ex partner now has our dog, he is a Rhodesian ridgeback x Japanese Akita. He is 10 now. I have a child with the ex and so still see the dog all the time. My ex has said this morning that his back legs are giving up occasionally but he is in no pain it seems. I am so upset that this may be the end, however I have read that even though he struggles, exercise may help. Has anyone got experience with this. Can the vet do anything with him being a big and old dog?

Certainly there are things you can do to help your dog. My little terrier used to wear little gripper boots to help him with traction. He also used to see an animal physio who made him a simple set of leg elastics that used to give him extra feedback about what his back legs were doing. But definitely a trip to the vet, just to get things checked out, is in order. They'll check his movement, what he does if they stand him on the backs of his feet (does he adjust them back again) etc...

Good luck.

Thank you very much LimeJellyHead I will arrange a vet appointment. He is generally happy but I can occasionally see when I go round that he is a bit down

Try laser light therapy. Been brilliant with my dog who has arthritis in her back legs.

If he has arthritis, he is in pain. It's just that most of us are not good at recognising chronic pain in our pets.

A combination of pain relief and physiotherapy could be helpful. He also needs a neuro exam to check his hindlimb nerves.

No more long walks, or jumping up, eg. sofa 😄
Walks should become short, and more often, to keep him moving.
Coat in cold/wet weather.
If he does sleep in a dog bed, one where he can stretch out, or a thick padded mat type, is good.