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Old Dogs are the Best: Skinny back ends

11/8/2012

 
As I continue the series on how old dogs are the best, let's talk about these dogs with big strong shoulders and chest muscles that taper to a tiny rear end with scrawny little chicken legs. These dogs usually have trouble getting up after lying down, aren't able to jump well,  have difficulty going up steps and may even fall occasionally. Its frequently the large and giant breed dogs but it can happen to any dog. Its a loss of hind leg muscle and strength, and its usually from arthritis or hip dysplasia.

Dogs are designed to carry about 2/3 of their body weight on the front end and only 1/3 on their back legs. They are jokingly described as "60/40 front wheel drive." But these old dogs I am referring to are usually carrying 75% or more of their weight on the front in order to reduce pain in the back end. I've even seen a few dogs that were closer to 90%, and while walking on the front legs is a nice party trick, its not something your dog should do on a regular basis!  These dogs shift weight away from the pain in the back end and use their rear legs less. This results in a loss of hind limb strength. This forces your dog to shift more weight forward as now there is not only pain but also weakness. This cycle continues until your dog is using his front end almost entirely to rise into a standing  position. He stops jumping completely. He doesn't want to go for walks anymore. And then, his front end starts to break down. His elbow starts to hurt, he develops chronically sore upper back muscles, and now he just doesn't want to move at all. Sound familiar? That's how they end up with a skinny backside. Sometimes, it becomes a life or death situation.

So now what? Can we stop the cycle? Can we reverse it or is your dog too far gone? Could it be prevented? Yes, to all the above!! Unless your dog is paralyzed those muscules still have the capacity to function! They must be retrained  and rebuilt with the proper nutrition and the proper exercises to do so. Chronic pain must be managed. Old dogs can learn new tricks (and its actually really good mental stimulation too!) Got an old dog with a skinny backside? Call me. Got a young dog just diagnosed with hip dysplasia? Call me. Its never too late, or too soon, to do something about it!
Paulo
9/4/2013 12:33:17 pm

Hello, what are some ways to rebuild that muscle? Just by exercise? I see this happening to my dog and it's extremely painful to see.

Jackie
2/27/2014 07:08:09 am

I have a 13 year old collie,I am giving him 30kg of APO-meloxicam once a dày with food.I am wondering what exercises I can do to help him. I was also wondering what the difference is between metacam and APO-meloxicam.

Jennifer
8/2/2017 09:13:55 pm

Hi. I have an almost 15 yr. old Jack Russell Terrier & the older he gets it seems the more skinny & bony he gets. I can see some of his ribs when he lies down. Is that normal? Why do old dogs get skinnier & bonier? His appetite is normal as usual. I mix wet w/dry food.

Sonnet
8/4/2017 06:18:24 pm

Hi Jennifer, thanks for reading my blog. Older dogs are subject to sarcopenia, or musclewasting, as a natural component of aging BUT it is not necessarily normal for ribs to show when they didn't before. Many medical conditions that are common in older dogs can cause weight loss despite a good appetite, including things like cancer and metabolic disease. You should always rule out a medical problem first before assuming it is aging. A visit to your family veterinarian is a good starting point.

Rosanne
12/27/2019 08:34:37 am

I have an 8 year old Landseer. She is in generally good health. I've noticed lately her loin area is getting skinny. She walks fine. She has a little trouble getting up from a lying down position.

Tiffany
4/30/2020 04:00:41 am

I have an older, (not sure exact age cause rescue have 4 years) German Shepard. 2 years ago he ran fast in the snow. A year ago, he starting to drag fall ever so often his hide legs, especially one of them every so often on walks, but only I seemed to notice, orthropedic vet didn't see anything through x rays. Then, it just got worse, he started sitting down more on walks, until a couple months ago he can't even go for a walk, he'll fall on the way to the car. I carry him down the stairs, and into the car. He's lost about 15 lbs, all in back hips, and legs thinner, but seems to be getting really strong in the front, and front legs thicker to make up for it. He pees all day, instead of just one time now, and have pads, diapers. I do help him to walk a little with holding his back legs slightly to get to the backyard. He seems strong in the front, as I've seen him flip and crawl with the front legs, but the back hips, and back hide legs are thin. I have been giving him, galliprant, cerenia, cbd oil, gebapentin, and fish oil daily, but I'm not sure if any of them are really doing anything. I try to make sure I can him down the stairs and out backyard and back up least everyday, so he is moving, though he needs my help a little so he doesn't fall. I've though about maybe getting him a rear doggie wheelchair, since he seems to be strong in the front still. He has a strong appetite (though had abcess, not fixing moment cause risk of anesthesia and doesn't open mouth huge, hoping doesn't have muscle issues mouth too). One emergency vet that went to for the abscess thought maybe degenerative muscle atrophy but they all said hard to ever diagnose. I don't want him to get worse, but not sure how to force him to walk, without holding him tad support in hips to he doesn't fall over. Any suggestions? He also has something going on skin on tail. Do I need to give him all these pills, if it is muscle atrophy, do they not do much that? He also seems to be getting sores elbows, maybe from sitting on one side too long. I been making sure to move him throughout day, as I work at him, every few hours when can. Thank you, for any feedback.

Scared as heck link
1/19/2021 10:01:08 am

I have a four five yr old dog who is a maltese. We just recently just switched him to puppy food as he seems very underweight. he has a skinny wais, and i can feel his spine sharply- his belly looks ok and fat and happy lol but- hes so bony and more lazy- he goes for ten minutes walks every day at least three times a day but (usually more) but is skinny as heck- what do I DO?!?!?! Also i weighed him and hes fine- he has skinny lgs as well like they look like lil twigs- HELP

mary
11/23/2021 05:17:11 am

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Robin Eplett
12/11/2021 09:07:35 pm

My 15 yes old doxie has lost 1lb within the last yr. 10to 9 lbs Doesn't sound like a lot; however, when I pick him up and feel skin on bones it is worrisome.

He is still very active with his son of 13 and the new Doxie of 11 months. He takes long walks and plays and chases the 11 months old daily.

He had a checkup about a month ago and the vet stated it is normal for seniors to start losing muscle mass. I just wonder when it becomes worrisome???

He still has a verocious appetite. When ever I take him in to a vet for something they are shocked by his age. Their comment is usually, " I don't know what your doing, keep it up. There is obviously alot of love in the house." Both are very true

Is there anything I can due to beef him up?? In the back of my mind I am taking each day as his last.

He survived major back surgery at 9 years old without any complications or side effects.

I wish I had the opportunity to send a photo.

If some medical intervention is recommended, what do you recommend- lab work.(chem panel)

Dortha link
1/7/2022 01:32:40 pm

Hi
I have a 12 year old female golden retriever. She weighs 69 pounds. She has arthritis in her hips and shoulders. She takes Galiprant 100mg tabs once a day. She has very skinny back legs. She likes to play ball maybe a short toss on carpet but she allows a 1 or 2 toss and than she lyes down. What can I do to help her feel better? She’s my world my baby girl I’ve had her since she was 8 weeks old but I’ve known her since the day she was born
Thank you

Donna
3/4/2022 04:39:38 pm

Hi
I have an 11 year old border collie who has always been active, over the last 6 months or so I have noticed that he has lost weight on his back end and hair loss around his body. He is semi active, is this to do with him aging.? He is eating the same amount as he has always done, have been giving him extra biscuits on a morning too and he doesn't seem to be putting weight on the back. His front seems OK, but he does seem to be slowing down a bit.

MckimmeCue link
6/3/2022 05:47:37 am

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Leticia
7/11/2022 08:25:44 pm

My 9 year old Pit Bull/Bull Mastiff suddenly lost weight and was having trouble to get up and walk for a short period of time. Now she is back up and moving like before. I have noticed that her rear end if every skinny compared to her front. She eats and drinks water normally. Maybe more water now because this summer heat this yr is no joke. I also find myself drinking more water than anything else because of the heat. She still playful and loving. How can I help her get her weight back on her rear end?

guarderia canina
7/18/2022 06:49:09 am

Cuanto más grande es el perro, menor es su esperanza de vida. Un perro grande como un San Bernardo tendrá una vida útil de entre 5 y 8 años, mientras que las razas más pequeñas generalmente pueden vivir entre 12 y 15 años. Un gran estudio con 74 razas de perros llevado a cabo en Alemania concluye que “lo que hay detrás de la compensación entre el tamaño y la vida útil es aparentemente una fuerte relación positiva entre el tamaño y la tasa de envejecimiento”.
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Keith Hodges link
7/25/2022 12:02:22 pm

This results in a loss of hind limb strength. This forces your dog to shift more weight forward as now there is not only pain but also weakness. This cycle continues until your dog is using his front end almost entirely to rise into a standing position. Thank you for taking the time to write a great post!


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