Are his back legs going?

[mar2505]

My dog is 15 and really been through the mill in this last few years, Recently he has started having trouble getting down the stairs and if i pull him towards the stairs to help he whines and yelps. In the night he whines to go downstairs as if in pain. Any advice about whats going on would be appreciated. he is ok to go for walks etc just reluctant to do stairs, but still jumps on mums bed for a cuddle all night.

 

[Acolyte]

15 is a good age for any dog, so I would think he is just getting old and stiff, whether that is in the back, pelvis or legs.

Personally I wouldn't force him to go down the stairs if you know it hurts him - I would carry him down if necessary. Perhaps at night he needs to go out, but can't/won't because he knows it hurts to go up and down stairs?

If you are worried your vet should be able to have a look at him and advise you

 

[haycroft]

i would take him to a vet just to get him checked
here a link of a supplement you could try
http://www.petmeds.co.uk/p-3892-seraquin-for-dogs-with-glucosamine-and-chondroitin.aspx

he may have a vertebre out ...i wouldnt let him jump or do stairs and never force him...hope he will be ok

 

[sade1986]

We had a JRT that got stiff as he got old, used to ge€t the hair dryer out to warm his legs up on cold mornings. Just seemed to get him going. I would just get the vet to check him over to make sure, but it is probably just down to old age.