This is a deterioration of nerves in the spinal cord, starting in the posterior part of the cord. Affected dogs will become incontinent and gradually weaker in the hind legs as nerves die off. Eventually, their hind legs become useless. This disease also affects other large breeds of dogs.

Cats with a heart murmur may develop blood clots that travel through arteries. If a clot is large enough to block one or both femoral arteries, there may be hind leg paralysis because the major source of blood