It affects each dog in a different way. If your male dog used to lift his leg to pee but has begun to squat, that may indicate a health problem. In addition to cleaning their legs and body, both male and female dogs will also lick their genital areas in an attempt to remove dirt, discharge or debris. This has been on going for roughly 15 minutes, and came out of nowhere. Sometimes this is just a small Twitch but at other times, their legs are really moving as if they are chasing something or being chased by something. If your pet can be awakened, it is not a seizure. When a dog is sleeping on his back his muscles are un-tensed, he is at his most relaxed state and he is in deep sleep mode. Both motions are often an indication of abdominal pain in a dog. The lifting of the front paw is usually a signal that your dog is trying to tell you something. For some dogs the pain and discomfort of a luxating patella can force them to not walk at all, or at the very least attempt to walk solely on their front legs as they keep their hind legs in the air. The problem may not be with his feet but with his nose! “Where’s the food? Depending on the cause, stopping your dog’s kicking can have different costs. Dogs who are dominant will do this with the goal to warn others dogs to stay away unless they want trouble. Answer (1 of 11): My dogs hind leg has started twitching...having spasms; almost like a full on donkey kick! Its really humorous but I just kinda want to know what you guys think. It's normal for a dog to start breathing harder or panting after exertion. And it could be related to any part of the foot, ankle, knee or hip. When faced with a problem, the vet draws up mental list of the likely problems (in vet-speak, this is a list of “differential diagnoses”). Why do dogs kick their back legs like a bull? After all, dogs will lick. He is lying on the floor, his back looks hunched and he is shaking. Why Does My Dog Kick His Legs When Getting Rubbed? To keep them from recurring, try giving your pet a supportive diet and strengthen their muscular systems without overworking them. In a dog, the patella sits in a groove that holds it in place (think of the letter 'v' with a diamond sitting, pointy side down, in it). They are easy to identify and will appear as tremors or twitching in a particular part of your pet's body. 10 Strange Dog Behaviors Explained. Accidents or injuries, Osteomyelitis, Diabetes, Arthritis, Poisoning, Cancer, Botulism, Trauma to the spine, Tick bites, Malignant Tumors, etc. This is caused by an abnormality in the lymphatic system. To help your dog be comfortable when dealing with problems related to arthritis, find them a soft place to sleep, such as memory foam or heated beds. Sometimes the only sign of this genetic defect is when a dog skips or hops while walking. The spasms also may be related to illness, reaction to some medications, or even allergies. I know he’s getting old but a few weeks ago he was jumping like a puppy. Help them warm up and cool down before and after periods of intense exercise. My service dog who is a 3yr old Golden Retriever, has been favoring both of his hind legs for the past month, despite rest and antii- inflammatories. When you notice your dog experiencing muscle spasms, offer them plenty of water and try to massage the area gently. Fixing patellar luxations may require your dog to be sedated in order to properly assess the damage. A male dog lifts his leg when he's peeing in order to send a signal that he is marking his territory. He Kept Moving And Kick His Back Legs And Licking His Feet And Rectum,What To Do? What do you think this could be? Why does my dog kick his leg when I scratch his belly? Where does the phrase dog eat dog come from? As soon as you notice your dog lift his front leg, think about what he just did and if an injury could be possible. If signs continue, the dog will eventually lose the use of its front limbs as well. edit edit tags flag offensive close merge delete. There will also be inflammation and other signs of arthritis. We did xrays of both knees and hips, as well as the lumbar spine. Pain, illness, or behavior disorders could be the reason a dog … Dogs kick grass naturally, but they also often perform this behavior on other surfaces like kitchen tile, concrete, the living room carpet, or the sofa. If I give him any water he drinks it but will barely eat to keep him satisfied. One possible reason your dog might be showing signs of back leg weakness is due to an inherited condition. Female dogs seldom lift their legs for the same. This cartilage has no nerves and therefore, when bones touch and move against each other, there is no pain. Lymphedema is the swelling of various tissues in the dog's body due to fluid retention within the tissues. In extreme cases, this may cause baldness and skin lesions to form. Well he does it while he sleeps to, but when hes awake sometimes and he lays down he'll randomly like kick his leg (and its only one) its like a muscle spasm or something? He has lost weight and is extremely thirsty. So, always talk to your vet if your aging pet develops tremors. If it's a hind limb that is injured, the hips will drop when the hurt leg touches down, and rise when the weight is lifted. That would make sense given your pup's recent surgery. About the author: Adrienne Farricelli is a certified dog trainer and behavior consultant. I think it is bizarre and would like to know what it means but cannot find anything on the internet. “It seems that in these dogs, the belly rub feels good,” she says. I have a 14 year old male Weimaraner who during sleep and now during rest when awake will (violently) kick out his hind legs. It's easy to assume that symptoms like shaking legs are due to your dog "just getting older." It is painful for him and he licks it constantly, he appears to be not putting much pressure on that leg … One possible reason why your dog is experiencing weakness in their hind legs is because they are suffering from a disease known as degenerative myelopathy. She did some test my bill was $400. If this is something that is becoming more common,, it would be best to have him seen by your veterinarian, if they can examine him and see what might be going on. Anal sac disorders can occur as impaction, infection, or abscess of the anal sac. Most often, you will see the spasms in the dog's hind legs or back. Although a dog kicking backwards to mark their territory is not a health issue, some people recommend not allowing your pet to do this as it could mean losing control of them. It almost seems like your dog is smiling when performing their little happy dance! Some dog owners might even see pawing as a threatening action. If the patellar luxation does not produce any symptoms for the dog, it may not require correction by surgery. He has a lot of toys and when he's playing with them he sometimes kicks them with his back legs, sometimes he kicks us owners to, Why would he do this? It can take up to several weeks to see improvements, but these supplements have been known to help many dogs. Xrays of entire body are normal. I've never seen another dog act this way and I can not find an answer to my question. I love my old doggie and find it painful to see him going through this. Wolves and all dog breeds have glands in their feet. Why do dogs lay on their backs and kick their legs? If your puppy is displaying generalized or shifting lameness, or limping on more than one leg, the problem is likely the cause of poor nutrition, also known as nutritional osteodystrophy. If serious, your pet may require massages and other forms of physical therapy, and in some cases surgery to remove the affected nerves. The vet can only tell me what it isn’t, but cannot tell me what it IS. I compare dogs with these sores, lick granulomas, to children who suck their thumb. Dogs scratch, lick, or chew for a wide variety of reasons, ranging from allergies to boredom to parasite infestation: Allergies. My dog has been very active & healthy her entire life. Among the variety of odd and not-so-odd behaviors dogs engage in, a dog kicking the back legs after pooping or peeing against the ground may be one that dog owners are often questioning about. Items are sold by the retailer, not Wag!. Muscle spasms can be seen in any body part in an affected dog. At times, my dog will lick my legs when I'm wearing lotion or after I went for a run and am sweaty. He will pace back and forth, making a meowing like noise, whining, and kicks his hind legs backwards as he paces around. Do dogs scratch the ground to clean their rear paws? It's a completely involuntary reaction, which explains why your dog may look as puzzled as you do when it starts to happen. Dogs may also develop a skin irritation called contact dermatitis when they encounter substances like pesticides or soap. They can be caused by overexertion, physical injury or neurological damage. When a dog licks your leg, it typically means that they are showing you affection. Lymphedema is the common term for this disorder. Obsessive licking may be a sign of underlying issues, including anxiety, boredom, or fear. Over time as the knee pops out of place more frequently, it can erode the cartilage and expose the bone, which can lead to arthritis and pain. I agree with Don. He's actually on the couch sitting behind me doing it right now! I’m heartbroken. © 2020 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. Unfortunately, without being able to examine her or see her lab results, I'm not sure that I can add anything more than your veterinarians have already discovered. Blood work all normal. Animal Planet offers this explanation: Dogs shake or kick their legs when you scratch them because of something known as the scratch reflex. My dog's hind legs are twitching/spasming. It could be a problem with a tendon, ligament, joint, bone or muscle. Her activity level and appetite have not changed. Suddenly, your dog starts kicking his back leg like he’s running on his side. You will be forgiven to assume that your dog, just like cats, is trying to cover his mess. In doing so, we are going to learn a little about the dog scratch reflex. 1 Answer Sort by » … Bear in mind that in the wild, lifting a leg to pee has a specific purpose to a male dog--it allows him to pee on vertical surfaces to mark his territory with his own unique scent. When dog scratching gets out of hand, it is often the result of allergies to food or environmental triggers, including mold and pollen. Common reason for dogs to avoid messes respond to continual pawing if it related... Limping is a progressive disease, meaning that it will get worse over time him out to potty on leash. An average expense of $ 2000 REM cycles can experience leg jerks muscle. No longer lift his back are tilted down, his back legs like a running or swimming.! Do some lab work, but sleeping on their backs and kick touch and move against each other, is. His leg when I pet him sometimes Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates or to vet! 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