Old doggie with weak back legs

[Atlantia]

My dog, Toby (a collie cross), is sixteen; though he acts very much a puppy most of the time.
For a little while though, he has shown signs of weakness in his back legs, it appears as though he can't stand up properly. Then other times, Toby races about the house and jumps about, as though there is nothing wrong with him. If anyone knows of any suplements which might help, I'd be grateful. Might have to end up taking Toby to the vets, but he's terrified of the place.

[LilacDragon]

I would recommend that vet visit. It could be something as simple as arthritis, or as serious as cancer.

[abbey]

Unfortunately for some animals, when they get elderly they have a tendancy to go off their back legs, it's normally due to their heart.
As LilacDragon advises, it's best to get it checked out.

Where's Val and BR when we need them?

[Atlantia]

Thanks for your replies,

Some years ago, when Toby was about ten, the vet said that Toby had a heart murmer, but it would be some time before it caused him any trouble.
Toby is a nervous dog, and gets very scared of the vets, but hopefully I can manage to calm him down before taking him. He has herbal tranquilisers which he has whenever he goes to the groomers. He had to stay a few days at the vets once, and has been scared of them ever since.
I'm also going to try glucosamine tablets for him, suggested by Val.

Another thing that you can try is a collar with a magnet in it. Our old dog had arthritis in his old age and we got him a magnetic collar and noticed the difference within a couple of weeks.

(I now have a magnetic bracelet as I was intrigued by how they work lol)

My vet was surprised at how much our dog 'Gaff' improved after we bought the collar.

Might be worth asking your vet?

[cherandbuster]

Originally Posted by abbey

Where's Val and BR when we need them?

Abbs --

My sentiments exactly!

[CheshireCat]

You should definately take him to the vet. Like LD said it cold just be arthritis. He is an old dog. You might give him something as easy as asprin. Only the vet can tell you for sure.
It would ease your mind as well.

Good Luck!

[cherandbuster]

Originally Posted by CheshireCat

You should definately take him to the vet. Like LD said it cold just be arthritis. He is an old dog. You might give him something as easy as asprin. Only the vet can tell you for sure.
It would ease your mind as well.

Good Luck!

Atlantia

Cheshire Cat works in a vet office, so she really knows what she's talking about.

Just thought you'd like to know that

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Wendybird

Another thing that you can try is a collar with a magnet in it. Our old dog had arthritis in his old age and we got him a magnetic collar and noticed the difference within a couple of weeks.

(I now have a magnetic bracelet as I was intrigued by how they work lol)

My vet was surprised at how much our dog 'Gaff' improved after we bought the collar.

Might be worth asking your vet?

Good to hear of Gaff's improvement, Wendybird.
We bought a magentic colar for Toby a while back, and it has helped him quite a bit. At the top of our road is a field, which has a low fence going across. Toby used to crawl under it, but since getting him the colar, on some days he's been able to jump over it.

Toby quite possibly could have arthritis, as he tends to be worse first thing in the morning, and them improves as the day goes on. By the evening, when it's walk time, he's in mad collie mode, and runs around everywhere.

I'm taking Tobes to the vets next week, and hopefully all will be okay for him.

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Good to hear of Gaff's improvement, Wendybird.
We bought a magentic colar for Toby a while back, and it has helped him quite a bit. At the top of our road is a field, which has a low fence going across. Toby used to crawl under it, but since getting him the colar, on some days he's been able to jump over it.

Toby quite possibly could have arthritis, as he tends to be worse first thing in the morning, and them improves as the day goes on. By the evening, when it's walk time, he's in mad collie mode, and runs around everywhere.

I'm taking Tobes to the vets next week, and hopefully all will be okay for him.

Keep us posted Atlantia