my puppy :(

I hope the little girl is Ok.  I hate seeing a pup suffer.

Oh no.  Sorry to hear about the puppy.  It's not sounding good.

Legs just weak, or just arthritis?  Most important is how she feels. Still wagging? happy to see you?  My dog was on cardio meds for 9 months, I'm so glad I got those extra months.  He was happy, and even if I couldn't take him for walks anymore, I could lay with him. I cherish those days!

It looks like extremely weak legs, almost unusable. Since we got home we have seen her take, maybe, a dozen unsupported steps total before her back legs give out on her and she falls down. It does not seem like she is in extra pain except all last night whenever she tried to adjust her position when sleeping she would whine a little which would wake me up so I would get up and help her. Not sure if that was pain or just annoyance. Her face still says happy puppy, and she still wants to come say hi and give licks, just that she can't actually make it to you.

Her drinking has been normal but I am concerned about her kidneys due to the medications she has been on for a while for her hip issues. She gets regular check ups and blood/urine tests to monitor her kidneys and liver function and so far nothing has come up wrong. we are just hoping and praying it is nothing to serious.

My parents dog had this.  They basically treated her with steroids and she can manage now.  Can't go up and down stairs and jump into the car, but she gets around.

I'm not sure what it was, I will ask again and try to re-post.

Sounds like we've all been there.  Just do your best to keep her comfortable.  At this point, just move yourself to her!  When mine couldn't get around I just lay next to him on the carpet stroking him,and he'd wag his tail happily.

if its just weakness, sounds like you may have some options. Paws crossed!

Thanks. and I sat by her all night watching election results roll in. After 3 times of her needing help at night I just grabbed a blanket and snoozed on the floor with my back against a wall and her head in my lap. Seemed to calm her down a bit. She is at the vet now, just waiting to hear what tests he wants to run after examining her this morning.

We are dealing with the same type of issues. A couple of months ago we notice my pooch's head was sunken in, then we noticed tumors, now her front legs are really weak. She slips and slides all over our tile and laminate floors when she tries to walk around. And trying to go downstairs to follow us to the basement - forget it. Her front legs just sort of give out and she slides all the way down on her belly.

It is really sad and pitiful. I went for a trail walk the other day and saw all these happy people walking with their dogs. I got all teared up remembering all the walks and runs we have gone on and now she can't even go down the stairs.

Best wishes for your pup.

I'm not trying to say this is what your puppy has. Our 11 year old Rottie could not get up one day. Her back leg was toast. We took her to the vet, and she said she needed a knee replacement and she had really bad arthritis. She suggested we put her down because it would only hurt her other leg and when they both gave out she would not be able to get around....

Well we didn't take either suggestion. She got better, and she was pretty happy. We knew she had arthritis, but most days she did well. Still chased squirrels. Then one day, that was it. She could not get up. We had to carry her out side. We took her to the vet, we gave it a day or two to see if she was going to get better... but we knew it was time.

The point is we had a great year with her, and it was the right decision. Then, it was time and it was the right decision. I know you will do right by her. Enjoy the time she is here. They go way too soon.

well her hip dysplasia is a lot worse according to the xray. they also checked out her ears and everything else they could think of. nothing wrong so we were left with 2 choices. undiagnosed neurological problems or old dog vestibular syndrome which is an ideopathic diagnosis but present with similar symptoms to what she has. we brought her home tonight and are going to just watch her and see if she improves on her own before trying to put her through neurological testing.

it is sad but she is home and comfortable and had a happy dinner. so that is all I care about.

If she is otherwise alert and eating and seemingly happy, you could always look at one of those little slings to help with the back end, or even a wee cart. I have seen a couple pups around in those, and they don't seem to mind. Not cheap, though...but maybe you could find someone willing to lend you one or do a pay-it-forward type of deal.

Good luck, and healing vibes <3

Arrrrr!  Hope she continues to recover adn it beocmes manageable!  My lab is 10 and starting to have arthritec joints.  We just started her on anti-inflammatories and pains meds as needed :-(

sorry to hear about your pup!  Hard to cope with the emotions we have sometimes when our animals are uncomfortable.  Heres a couple thoughts for you to think about if your vet hasnt already communicated them to you...

Idiopathic vestibular disease - unlikely without a balance issue - usually present with a tilted head, difficulty walking in a straight line, and nausea/inappetance.  Usually self resolves in 2-3 weeks.  No real treatment options except antiemetics and time.  Doesnt sound like what your dog has.

Arthritis/hip issues - obviously you already know she has this, but perhaps it has acutely flared up and is contributing to the pain - and if you arent already using multi-modal therapy... my favorite is an NSAID + Tramadol + Gabapentin - then that may help to reduce some discomfort... OR...

Consider back pain/spinal disease.  Only 50% to less than that can we diagnose on a plain films, so it may not show up.... commonly, acute onset difficulty using the hind legs can be attributed to intervertebral disc disease.  Sometimes your vet can assess neuro function with a few simple tests.  If there is any "conscious proprioceptive" deficits (difficulty for the brain to know in space where the legs are - ie, being able to touch your finger to your nose with your eyes closed)  then likely u are dealing with a back issue...some of these are mild and can be treated with steroids - but you'd have to wean your dog completely off the NSAIDS it sounds like she is currently on.

Lastly on the list of common things to cause what your dog is going through... there are some degenerative myelopathic diseases - simple put, the nerves that tell the muscles how to work begin not to comminucate as well and over time (usually prolonged period), weakness is noted.  again, doesnt sound quite like whats happening. 

Sounds more like you have an acute onset problem that is either a flare up of current health issues she already has - arthritis, disc disease... or a brand new issue that has come to light.  Mention the above if youd like to your vet.  You can also get the opinion of a board certified veterinary neurologist and or orthopedist... never hurts to get a second opinion on the ones we love

Just my 2 1/2 cents for ya.... fyi, yes, im a vet... so these arent quite just random thoughts put out there in the unviverse for ya!  hope she gets better!!!!!! ))

Thanks for all of the thoughtful input. We have definately been working with and dealing with her hip dysplasia/arthritis for a many years now. She is on a good, stable medication routine that includes a Gluc/Con supplement and rimadyl and tramadol. She does not act like there is much pain there and up until now has still been pretty active (not unusual to see her and our other dog play chase or fetch together for long periods of time - she can't keep up like she used to but she still plays and walks without much evidence of extra pain or soreness)

I have not noticed it lately but my wife, who has more time at home with the dogs than I do, did mention last week that she was noticing our dog acting funny, head tilts all the time and what she described as a "wandering or unfocused eye". Additionally she had a similar issue last spring but it was very short lived. She woke up in the middle of the night and asked to go out and go to the bathroom and walking down the hall and outside her balance was off and she kept running into things and almost folling over. I thought she was still just have asleep but in the morning the same thing kept happening. I mentioned it to my wife but by the time I got home from work that evening she was back to normal. I do not know if it is related but it was similar.

I will ask about a consult from a neurologist as, honestly, that was my first concern for her and her health.

Thanks again for the kind feedback and information!