Back pain is something you have complained about at least once. However, signaling back pain is harder for dogs. In this article, I, Ivana Crnec, DVM, will talk about the basics of back pain in dogs - from symptoms to solutions.
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Content:
- How Can a Dog Hurt Their Back
- Dog Back Injury Symptoms
- How to Help a Dog With Back Pain
- How to Carry a Dog With Back Pain
- Conclusion
How Can a Dog Hurt Their Back
Dogs can hurt their back during bad landings and sudden movements. Age and breed are risk factors, too, and certain spinal conditions also result in back pain.
Studies conclude that “Pathological neck and back pain occurs in many medical conditions of dogs.” Some cause upper and other lower back pain. “Low back pain is a common ailment in dogs, particularly in specific breeds such as the German shepherd dog,” research reports.
Dog Back Injury Symptoms
“There are many different signs of back pain in dogs. Some dogs will cry out, but others may be more stoic, making the signs easy to miss,” warns Joanna Woodnutt, MRCVS, in an article for Great Pet Care.
Commonly reported symptoms indicating back pain in dogs include:
- Limping
- Unexplained stiffness
- Posture changes
- No tail wagging
- Keeping the head low
- Unusual behavior
- Vocalization
Install the Petcube Pet Camera and keep a watchful eye on your dog at all times. Dogs often compensate when around you but show worrisome signs when left alone.
How to Help a Dog With Back Pain
The first step when helping a dog with back pain is preventing further damage and injuries.
“I would recommend crating your pup immediately if you suspect a back issue. Restrict running and jumping on and off things. You want to keep them from doing high-impact things,” suggests a Reddit user.
Once the dog is calm and stable, you need to call the vet. A veterinary examination is critical to pinpoint the source of the back pain and treat the issue.
The treatment depends on the problem, ranging from physical therapy and meds to surgery and the use of mobility aids. Managing a dog with back pain can be costly.
We advise investing in pet insurance or an emergency fund. The Petcube Emergency Fund is an excellent choice. It covers up to $3,000 for emergency vet bills and offers unlimited access to online vets. Use this link to get it at a 27% discount.
How to Carry a Dog With Back Pain
The instructions on how to carry a dog with back pain are given below.
- Support the entire body: Lift the dog with one hand under their chest and the other below the hindquarters, while ensuring the spine stays in a neutral position.
- Be firm but gentle: Use controlled but gentle movements. Sudden jerks and shifts are likely to exacerbate the back pain, making the dog nervous or even aggressive.
- Keep the dog calm and comfortable: Hold the dog close to your body. This will help keep it stable. Plus, physical contact can be comforting and make the dog less scared.
Conclusion
Dog back pain is a common reason for seeing a vet. Some causes are minor and easy to treat, while others require surgery and extensive post-operative physical therapies.