hind leg degeneration or just heavy?

[wonderrodent]

Lafwanda weighs about 640g  and she has troubles getting up shelves, running (if you can call it that) and grooming herself with her hind legs. I wonder if it's only because she is so heavy or if it's also hind leg degeneration. She is 2 years and 4 months old. How can I tell the difference?

[mandycoot]

When she walks does she still put her weight on the ball of her foot with the heel up in the air? Or does she seem to place her weight further back on the foot, walking kind of floppy with the toes not gripping very well? That's how I can tell that my chunky oldies are losing their hind legs.

[Scubbs]

Considering her age, it's probably a mixture of her being older and also her weight, I would think.  Going by what Mandy has said is a good indication of whether it's purely weight or hind leg degen.

[OldsGal]

Ya I would say a combination of both as well! 

Staci

[wonderrodent]

She definitely doesn't only walk on the ball of her foot. In fact, on one foot (the heal) there seems to be a slight irritation (she is a little bit red) probably from too much pressure on that spot. When she sits, she has her legs spread out to the left and right and the weight is on the outside of her foot (and her toes are a little bit curled - but not always). When she crawls into her cube she kind of slides in it (but that might be because of her weight).

[lilspaz68]

I find my oldies of any weight that are losing their hind end often sit with their hind legs pushed forward and they sit right on their rump

[mandycoot]

Great picture Shelagh! I didn't mention that though I certainly should have. I've noticed it in all my oldies who lose their hind end mobility as well.

[wonderrodent]

Interesting! Thank you guys!!

[scout]

The toes curling is generally an indication of arthritis, so she could have three things going on at once, poor girl. A little glucosamine/chondroitin certainly won't hurt her and might make her toes feel a little better.