The most common sign of cauda equina syndrome is pain. The pain may occur in the back, in one or both hind legs or the tail. The dog usually has difficulty rising from lying down but once he begins to walk about he works out of the stiffness. There may be muscle loss in one or both rear legs. The dog may have difficulty urinating or defecating because of the pain, may become incontinent, or may be unable to urinate.
Some dogs are unable to move their tail, or have severe pain if the tail is moved.
Often dogs will have a shuffling gait, and scuff their toes. Some dogs will chew on their pelvic area, hind limbs or tail, sometimes creating considerable damage by this self-mutilation. Many of the signs seen with lumbosacral stenosis can mimic those of hip dysplasia , and the two conditions need to be differentiated. Lumbosacral stenosis occurs most commonly in large breed dogs. German Shepherds appear to be more likely to develop this condition.