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My senior Chihuahua cries when picked up or lying down. Is she hurt?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Chihuahua | Female | spayed | 12 years old

I have a 12 year old female Chihuahua, and she's been crying everytime we try to pick her up. I think it's her front legs because even when she's laying down and nobody touches her, she makes a weird crying sound and I'm concerned if it's bad or not?

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3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

Veterinarian

Published on November 14th, 2017

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Estrellita! She could be painful in her neck or back, I would have her examined by your Vet today to get her more comfortable. I treat dogs with neck or back pain with non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, muscle relaxants and either gabapentin or tramadol. They need to be strictly rested (leash walks, no running/jumping or stairs for several weeks). Purchase a harness so there is no pulling on her neck. I do not recommend any human OTC medications. Dogs and cats can not metabolize these drugs like we do and there is a narrow margin of safety. I hope this helps and I wish Estrellita a speedy recovery!

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    Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 30th, 2017

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Sharona! She is very cute! It sounds as though Sharona is very painful. The most common reason for crying out when being picked up and not jumping up on furniture is neck or back pain. The pain can be from a muscle strain or sprain or a herniated disk. I treat neck/back pain with muscle relaxants, pain medications and anti-inflammatories. I highly recommend having Sharona seen by a Vet sooner than Thursday. I do not recommend giving human pain medications. Dogs and cats are more sensitive to human medications and they may interfere with what your Vet wants to prescribe. I hope this helps and I wish Sharona a speedy recovery!

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    Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on August 11th, 2018

    I would actually wonder if Lucy has some neck or back pain, and when you pick her up it puts pressure on these areas. It would be very unusual to have pain around the chest unless she had some history of trauma. Unfortunately there's not much you can do at home until you're able to get to the vet - I would just let her rest and bring her food and water close by. Once a vet can examine her they can recommend testing and prescribe a safe pain medication. I don't recommend using any over the counter pain medications for dogs - the side effects make them too risky in my opinion.

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