Vital Feed

Older dogs and those with injuries or balance issues can have trouble moving around the home, especially on slippery surfaces like tile or wood floors.  Some dogs react to slippery floors by not wanting to get up or walk - they lack confidence and will elect to "stay put" rather than risk slipping.  Pets that are nervous about moving around can become even weaker by...

There are many causes of hind leg weakness in dogs and the exact cause is often difficult to establish – even for veterinarians. Senior dogs often show weakness in their back legs. This usually develops gradually over time. Dogs tend to get aches and pains as they get older – just like we do. Some causes of hind leg weakness...

Slipping or scuffing on hardwood or tile floors? Cohesive bandage (e.g., VetWrap) works well to reduce slippage and scuffing when used properly. In this video, Vital Vet expert Ilaria Borghese demonstrates how to apply VetWrap safely and for maximum impact.  VetWrap Link  Author: Ilaria Borghese, MS, MA, OT, Thera-Paw, Inc., STAAR Conference, Vital Vet

What is Degenerative Myelopathy in Dogs? Degenerative myelopathy, or DM, is a debilitating disease impacting the spinal cord or nerves that vets commonly compare to ALS, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, in people. A good first place to understand what you're dealing with if your dog is diagnosed with DM is to understand what the name means. Degenerative refers to the...

There are many conditions that produce weakness and can lead to knuckling or dragging of the front and hind paws and limbs.  Conditions that can affect the hind legs include degenerative myelopathy (DM), sciatic nerve injury, disc disease, and spinal cord injury.  Brachial plexus and radial nerve injuries can cause front paw knuckling or limb dragging. A fibrocartilaginous embolism (FCE) can affect either...