5 Signs Your Dog Is Suffering From Back Pain
If you have ever suffered from back pain, you will know how debilitating it can be. Well, back pain is not only something that can affect you. It can also affect something that you love very dearly – your pet pooch.
Dog back pain is not often talked about, but it is something very real, and it can be caused by things such as a slipped disc, an enlarged prostate, cancer, and muscle spasm from over-exertion.
Many of these back pain causes are very serious, and this is why it's important to be alert to these five symptoms of dog back pain so that you can take your pup to a vet clinic and have him checked out before the pain gets any worse.
Posture. Yes, just like humans, dogs can develop poor posture too, and this is a tell-tale sign that your pooch is experiencing back pain. If it looks like your dog's back has an arch or that he is standing awkwardly or appears to be hunched over, have him checked out by your local veterinarian.
Stretching. If you find that your dog is stretching out his back more often than usual, this could also be a sign of back problems and that your dog is trying to correct his back himself by stretching out the discomfort.
Generally unwell. If your dog appears to be generally unwell, this could also be a sign of a back problem. Some things to look out for would be a lack of interest in food, particularly if your dog normally loves meal times. And also look out for a lack of interest in tasks your dog would typically love such as going for a walk or running around the garden.
Incontinence. Dogs should only naturally become incontinent in old age, so if you have a younger dog that is losing control of bowel movements, this could be a sign of back pain. The stiffness in the lower back makes it harder for a dog to control bowel movements.
Bruising. It's very difficult to see bruising on a dog because they are typically covered in hair, but one way of telling if your dog is bruised is if he whimpers when touched. If your dog normally loves to be stroked on his back but now finds the area more sensitive than normal, this can be an indicator that your dog is suffering from back pain.
If you notice any of these signs in your dog, or if you're otherwise concerned about their health, contact a local vet clinic to have them looked at.