Dogs back legs shaking: causes and treatments for dog’s hind leg tremors

Why does my dogs back legs shake uncontrollably every now and then (or all the time)? If that question is in your mind, then this page is for you. Discussed are some of the most common causes of dog back legs shaking along with other symptoms such as panting, lethargy, etc. and common treatment approaches for the same.

Dogs Back Legs Shaking Causes and Treatments

Underlying causes for dogs’ hind leg shaking range from benign ones to serious ones that require urgent medical care. They include:

Stress or Anxiety

Stress may be the reason why you see your dog back legs shaking. Writing for vetstreet.com, Dr. Patty Khuly, VMD, a veterinarian based in Miami, Florida says that stress-related shaking can be confined to the hind legs only, even though it tends to affect the whole body.

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Dogs can for example get stressed and become anxious from factors such as unfamiliar people who have come visiting your house, car rides, children playing, thunderstorms, fireworks, missing you, and a visit to the vet.

The shaking of legs is often accompanied by other signs of anxiety such as panting, hiding under the bed and other confined spaces, panting, and biting on items e.g. furniture. Your dog may also show signs of aggression such as growling.

Some dogs are more prone to anxiety than others. Concerning what to do for anxiety-related dog back legs shaking, you can help your dog overcome its fears through behavioral training. Your veterinarian may also give your dog some medications such as Clomicalm.

Muscle Weakness

Dog back legs shaking may also be a sign of muscle weakness. This can for example happen after exercising (leading to overexertion of the hind legs), when you take your dog for a walk, or when the dog leans down to drink water or eat.

You will know that your dog is experiencing muscle weakness if the hind legs shaking resolves as soon as the dog has had some time to relax according to Dr. Khuly.

According to Jonathan Miller, DVM, a veterinary specialist at Oradell Animal Hospital in Paramus, NJ some breeds of dogs especially German Shepherds are particularly susceptible to a condition known as degenerative myelopathy which gradually weakens their hind legs.

Degenerative myelopathy is associated with slow disintegration or dying of spinal cord nerves. These nerves naturally sends signals to hind leg muscles to contract during movements and their absence manifests in shaking or knuckling of the back legs – a sign of weakened muscle contraction. Your veterinarian will make the diagnosis to ascertain if your dog if suffering from this disease, then prescribe the treatment accordingly.

Pain

Sudden dog back legs shaking may also be caused by pain particularly knee and hip pain (e.g. due to hip dysplasia) as Dr. Miller says. Joint problems such as ligament damage in the knees, hip arthritis, hip dysplasia, etc. are often the underlying cause of the pain. Abdominal pain and back pain (e.g. from spinal injury) can also cause tremors in the legs according to Dr. Khuly.

These problems usually require diagnosis by a veterinarian orthopedic surgeon. Pain relieving medications such as Rimadyl (Carprofen) and Deramaxx may be helpful in treating injuries-related shaking of the legs and other symptoms, along with other medications as your vet may determine. Surgery may be necessary in some cases.

Other likely signs of pain include limping, restlessness, enlarged, hiding, pupil enlargement, behavior changes e.g. a usually jovial dog suddenly becoming anti-social, hunched posture, a rough coat, licking or biting in a particular area of the body, sleeping more than usual, glased eyes, and not eating as usual (loss of appetite).

Old age

According to the WebMD, dog back legs shaking may simple be the result of ageing. Some dogs naturally begin having tremors in their hind legs as they get older. In some instances, the front legs are also affected. In most cases, this is no cause for concern because the tremors have no impact on your dog’s gait or walking style.

Since tremors in hind legs of senior dogs may be an indication of pain however, it is advisable to have your vet check your pet for any injuries and joint problems. Because older dogs are also not as resilient as their younger counterparts, it is also a good idea to go slow on their exercises and other exerting activities such as walks, writes Juliana Weiss-Roessler on cesarsway.com.

Tremor Syndrome

According to PetMD, a condition known as tremor syndrome may be to blame for uncontrollable dog back legs shaking. Typically affecting young dogs and dogs in their middle-ages, tremor syndrome appears as involuntary back and forth of the muscles.

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These movements may be fast or slow. The tremors may occur in any part of the body and may affect more than one areas of the body (be generalized) or specific parts of the body only (be localized), usually the head (read more on dog head shaking) or hind legs.

Several dog breeds are more susceptible to tremor syndrome including chow chows, Dalmatians, Weimaraners, Doberman pinschers, Samoyeds, English bulldogs, Labrador Retrievers, and springer spaniels.

The underlying causes of tremor syndrome and by extension dog hind legs shaking range from traumatic injuries to the use of certain medications, nervous system disorders, inflammation, and lower than normal levels of glucose or calcium in the blood. Some cases of tremor syndrome have no known reason (i.e. they are idiopathic).

Treatment measures for tremor syndrome vary depending on the identified cause of the problem.

Poisoning

Dog back legs shaking can also be an indication of poisoning. Food poisoning for example can result when a dog ingests food substances that are contaminated with bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, Clostridium botulinum etc. or a toxin called Penitrem-A.

Garbage, rotting carrion, compost, and “bad” food are common culprit. For Penitrem-A, moldy nuts and foodstuffs are usually to blame. Some human foods are also toxic to dogs including chocolate, xylitol (in sugarless chewing gums), and cigarettes. Snail baits with a compound known as metaldehyde are also toxic to dogs, usually causing tremors along with seizures when ingested by canines.

In addition to tremors, your dog will likely show other symptoms such as lethargy, depression, diarrhea, vomiting, and seizures. For Clostridium botulinum-related food poisoning (botulism), you may find that your dog’s hind legs are not only shaking but also giving out (an indication that they are weak). If you think your dog may be dealing with a case of poisoning, call your vet right away. Don’t try to treat any kind of poisoning at home.

Video: How to perform examination on your dog when he's lame / limping / holding one leg up: Sydney Vet

Canine Distemper

Lastly but not the least, dog back legs shaking can also be the result of canine distemper. Typically affecting young dogs (puppies aged between 3 and 6 months) that have not been vaccinated, it can also affect older dogs (adolescents).

Canine distemper can be caused by viruses or bacteria and typically. It typically shows up in symptoms such as fever, cough, and discharge from the nose and eyes, but can also cause neurological signs the likes seizures and tremors.

Tremors usually involves the head and neck and in some instances, one or more legs. Like common cold in humans and kennel cough in dogs, canine distemper has no cure.

Treatment involves supportive measures as the dog’s immune system wards off the infection. Antibiotics, dilators, and physical therapy may be administered to make your dog more comfortable along with fluids to re-hydrate your canine friend.

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