My Chihuahua is 12 years old and recently I have noticed she occasionally has trouble walking on her hind legs. Sometimes she loses balance on them and other times it looks like they are going to give up. She has put on some weight as she has gotten older so I was wondering if it could be because of that or is she losing use because of her age?
Answers (3)
There are certain breeds of dogs which suffer hip problems but generally they are the larger dogs. Larger dogs, in general, don't live as long either. Chihuahuas, as with many other smaller dogs, usually live long and happy lives.
With the greatest of respect, twelve years is starting to approach old age for any dog and she is going to slow down. I'm not a vet but I've always been a dog owner so I do know dogs. I'd still recommend referring this to a vet for a professional opinion, though. If you can prolong life and that life is pain-free and happy, you should do that.
sounds like a back and hip issue. we have a small weener dog and she also has back and hip issues. she tends to walk funny and act like her back legs will give out on her at any moment. she has problems getting up and down as well. she has to take steroids and painkillers and other stuff for inflamation and pain in her back to degeneration. they say alot of small breed dogs have degenerative back issues in old age. normaly becuase the breeds have been inbred over the years. not like a close inbred thing but slightly. unfortunatly the back issue will only get worse as time goes on until you have no choice but put the dog to sleep.until then you need to get your dog on medication from the vet for backand hip issues.you also need to keep the dog from jumping on furniture and up and down steps and from sitting up and begging. we have to carry our dog down and up the steps and if she wants on furniture to lay we must pick her up and put her down. that puts less strain on her back and back legs and helps the issue along with medication. you may also like to know that massging the lower back and back legs everyday with your hands helps as well with stiffness and soreness.