What to do if my dog gets stiff and is not moving normally

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.

Body stiffness and difficulty walking normally in dogs can be caused by a wide range of conditions. Some conditions are life-threatening emergencies, while others require lifelong care to manage. It’s important for dog owners to be able to recognize when their dog is having an emergency and when to seek veterinary care for mobility issues and body stiffness. This article will discuss:

• Causes of stiffness and mobility issues in dogs
• How the cause of stiffness and changes in mobility are diagnosed and treated
• When difficulty walking and body stiffness are emergencies

Osteoarthritis, seizures, and toxin exposure are all potential causes of stiffness, pain, and mobility changes. Arthritis has a slow, progressive onset of stiffness, difficulty standing, and reluctance to move around. Seizures can result in immediate stiffness and uncontrollable muscle tremors. Toxin exposure may also cause immediate, severe stiffness and difficulty moving. Treatment options vary depending on the underlying cause of the symptoms but may involve emergency stabilization, anti-seizure medication, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of gradual-onset joint stiffness and mobility challenges in aging dogs and can majorly impact a dog’s quality of life.

Many medical conditions can cause a dog to be stiff and to not move normally. These conditions vary drastically and can be caused by musculoskeletal problems, neurologic conditions, and toxins. There are also a few nonmedical reasons why a dog may be stiff or freeze temporarily.

It’s normal for completely healthy dogs to appear a little stiff when first getting up after a day of unusually intense activity or exercise. However, this is expected to wear off quickly after they get up and move again. A dog who is especially anxious or frightened may freeze up as part of the natural fight-or-flight response. Once no longer exposed to the trigger, the dog should return to normal.

Canine arthritis and joint pain

Osteoarthritis describes a joint disease that develops over time when the cartilage that cushions the space between bones in a joint wears away, resulting in the bones painfully rubbing together. This leads to joint inflammation and pain. Osteoarthritis is a very common condition in dogs, especially seniors, that causes a gradual onset of joint stiffness, pain, and difficulty walking. In some cases, a dog with osteoarthritis may have extremely stiff limbs or be unable to stand. The condition can be very painful and is progressive, meaning the symptoms are expected to get worse over time.

Other musculoskeletal conditions that can cause stiff joints and difficulty walking include:

• Elbow or hip dysplasia
• Cranial cruciate ligament tear
• Bone fracture
• Strains, sprains, or dislocations
• Luxating patella
• Bone cancer
• Immune-mediated septic arthritis

Developmental issues, such as hip dysplasia, and injuries, such as broken bones and ligament tears, are more frequent causes of mobility impairment in younger dogs. Hip dysplasia is very common in large and giant breed dogs and may cause symptoms of osteoarthritis in the hind legs at an early age.

Seizures

A seizure is a neurologic episode that results from excessive electrical activity in the brain. Seizure types in dogs include:

• Generalized seizure (grand mal): The dog loses consciousness and their entire body becomes stiff and may move uncontrollably
• Focal seizure (partial motor): Involuntary stiffness or activity in one part of the body, with or without loss of consciousness
• Psychomotor: A type of focal seizure that results in abnormal behavior rather than convulsions

Grand mal, or generalized seizures, are common in dogs. Most seizures in dogs are idiopathic, meaning there is no identifiable cause. Recurring idiopathic seizures are referred to as epilepsy, a brain condition that is thought to have a genetic component. Many other underlying medical issues are also associated with seizures in dogs, including:

• Hypothyroidism
• Addison’s disease
• Kidney disease
• Toxicity
• Brain abnormality or tumor
• Head trauma
• Heatstroke
• Canine distemper
• Rabies

“Dogs who have seizures are usually completely normal between episodes,” explains Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on Vetster. “The stiffness and mobility problems associated with seizures are temporary, but the seizures recur at variable intervals for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy.”

Poison or toxin exposure

Various poisons or toxins can result in seizures and other abnormal neurologic activity that result in body stiffness and an inability to walk normally. Symptoms of toxicosis usually come on very suddenly and can be quite severe. Body stiffness and inability to move normally are often accompanied by other severe symptoms, such as:

• Severe vomiting or diarrhea
• Excessive drooling
• Inappropriate or uncontrollable urination
• Labored breathing
• Pale gums
• Collapse or loss of consciousness

It’s important to seek immediate emergency veterinary care if any of these symptoms are observed, even if there has been no known toxin exposure. Common toxins and poisons that may lead to seizures include:

• Antifreeze
• Rat bait
• Herbicides and pesticides
• Some flea and tick products
• Various human and pet medications

Some herbicides and pesticides, including some flea and tick products, can be absorbed through the skin and do not have to be ingested to cause toxicosis. It’s very important to keep toxins, poisons, medications, and other dangerous items locked up and out of your dog’s reach.

Tetanus

Though rare, tetanus is a life-threatening condition that can result in a previously healthy dog becoming stiff and unable to move over the course of several days. In dogs with tetanus, every muscle in the body becomes stiff, including those in the ears. Tetanus is caused by a toxin produced by a type of bacteria that lives in the soil. Dogs are exposed when a deep cut or puncture wound is contaminated with soil containing the bacteria.

Depending on the underlying cause, body stiffness and loss of mobility may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

• Limping
• Swollen joints
• Weakness
• Muscle tremors or shaking
• Loss of muscle mass (muscle atrophy)
• Involuntary urination and defecation
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Excessive drooling
• Changes in behavior, such as aggression

Additional symptoms vary in type and severity between individuals and depending on the underlying condition.

Dogs who are stiff and having mobility loss can present differently depending on the underlying health issue. A vet will look for:

• Sudden onset or gradual and progressive onset of symptoms
• Episodic symptoms or continuous symptoms over a long period of time
• Uncontrolled body movements or spasms
• Ataxia
• Disorientation

Ataxia describes poor coordination while walking, dizziness, and loss of balance. It’s most often seen in dogs with toxin exposure or a neurologic condition.

It’s important for a vet to know what’s causing a dog’s symptoms in order to provide proper treatment. Diagnostic tests will likely be recommended to determine a definitive diagnosis. Testing may include:

• Physical examination
• Thorough patient history, including possibility of toxin exposure
• Blood tests and infectious-disease testing
• Diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, ultrasounds, MRI scans, or CT scans
• Neurologic examination
• Urinalysis

A dog presenting with an active seizure or known toxin exposure may require emergency stabilization before testing can be done. Once a definitive diagnosis is reached, an appropriate treatment plan can be created.

Treatment options vary depending on the dog’s underlying condition. Recommended treatment may include:

• Antibiotics, antifungals, or antiparasite medication
• Pain control and anti-inflammatory medications
• Anti-seizure medication
• Toxicosis treatment
• Injury management
• Surgery
• Palliative care

In addition to various medical treatment options, dogs with stiffness and difficulty moving due to osteoarthritis often require lifestyle modifications, including:

• Weight loss
• Physical therapy and regular exercise
• Pet ramps, elevated food dishes, and other daily assistance

Prognosis varies widely between the different conditions and is affected by the speed at which the dog receives treatment. Toxicities can quickly become life-threatening. Some conditions have limited treatment options, and humane euthanasia may be recommended. Others, such as arthritis and epilepsy, are not usually immediately life-threatening but require lifelong management. Osteoarthritis is very common in dogs and is a progressive condition that will continue to get worse and affect the dog’s quality of life over time.

Are stiff joints, body stiffness, and inability to walk emergencies?

Not all conditions that lead to body stiffness and loss of mobility are emergencies. However, it’s important to seek immediate veterinary attention if a dog:

• Suddenly becomes stiff and can’t move
• Has collapsed or lost consciousness
• Seems disoriented or loses balance
• Has a seizure for the first time or has repeated seizures
• Has a seizure that lasts for more than three minutes
• May have been exposed to a poison or toxin
• Is showing other severe signs of illness, such as profound vomiting or diarrhea, labored breathing, or pale gums

It’s always best to seek emergency help if a dog is suddenly stiff and cannot walk.

If your dog suddenly becomes stiff or cannot walk, seek emergency treatment right away. Sudden-onset body stiffness, ataxia, and mobility loss are indicators of a medical emergency, such as a toxin exposure, neurologic condition, or tetanus.

Be very careful while moving your dog if they’re having a seizure. Seizing dogs or dogs in pain are more likely to bite. If possible, and if it does not delay the time to get to a vet, take a video of the event to show the veterinarian when you arrive. Seizure episodes often pass before getting to a veterinary hospital.

Intermittent stiffness or gradual mobility loss over time is less likely to be an emergency and is a common indicator of arthritis or another musculoskeletal issue. Let a veterinarian know if your dog has shown signs of joint pain or a reluctance to exercise in the past.

If you’re unsure if your dog is having an emergency, veterinary professionals are available on Vetster’s online virtual care appointments to help triage and offer advice based on your dog’s symptoms.

Why is my dog stiff and not moving?

Body stiffness and loss of mobility have a wide range of causes, including osteoarthritis, neurologic conditions, and toxin exposure. If the stiffness and difficulty walking are sudden, seek emergency treatment right away. Osteoarthritis and other musculoskeletal issues are not usually emergencies and have a gradual onset of symptoms. The affected dog will show signs of having difficulty standing up and walking, and joint stiffness that’s worse when the dog first gets up then improves once they get moving.

What does it mean when a dog stiffens up and shakes?

A dog suddenly becoming stiff and having uncontrollable muscle tremors or spasms may be having a seizure. Seizures occur when there is abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Seizures in dogs may be caused by toxins, various diseases, or epilepsy. While some dogs live with idiopathic epilepsy, a condition that causes repeated seizures at varying intervals, any unexpected seizure in a dog warrants emergency attention.

Can arthritis cause a dog not to walk?

Arthritis is a progressive disease, and symptoms usually become worse over time, even with medical care. A dog with osteoarthritis may progress to the point they can no longer stand or walk due to joint pain and stiffness.