Dragging back legs

Question
I have an 8 year old male german shepherd, Lucas. This past winter I noticed he has some weakness in his back legs. He wouldn't jump up to catch things I threw for him and he would "bunny hop" when I threw things for him to chase. Since then the condition has gotten progressively worse. Now (July) he can barely walk at all. He can still stand on occasion, but is very wobbly. When he tries to walk he sometimes can manage a few steps but mainly ends up dragging both back legs. We have not taken him to the vet for a few reasons. First of all we have kind of assumed he had hip dyplasia which would be too expensive for us to have treated. Secondly, he is a very large dog and it easy getting him to the vet, and it would be especially difficult now because of his inability to walk and the fact that our vet has stairs leading to her office. I have been questioning our assumption that this is dyplasia because it has progressed so rapidly. Does hip dysplasia get that bad in just a few months? We don't know what to do. We have considered having him euthanized, but it is a very difficult and emotional decision for us. I guess I'd like to know if you think this could possibly be something that could be treated with just some medicine, since that is really the only thing we could afford, or does he need to be put to sleep? Thank you.

Answer
Hi Wendy, Hip Dysplasia does give off the symptom of bunny hopping, but there is also the possiblity that he has pinched a nerve in his back.  I would go more with the dysplasia just because of the bunny hopping, but an x-ray would clarify it for you perfectly.  There is no medication for dysplasia, just surgeries, especially if it is that serious.  As far as the decision to put him to sleep, you basically have to decide if you feel his quality of life is compromised and if you can make it better or not.  That is normally how I make that decision myself.  Hope this helps,

Dawn