Why does my dog yelp when stepping down? Is it hip or joint pain?

Hello. Tis could be anything from simple muscle overuse, to a tendon sprain to an actual ligament tear. Ligament tears are unfortunately quite common, especially the anterior cruciate ligament ( ACL ). This may also be the first indication that Nalah has hip dysplasia. So, if she still seems very uncomfortable tomorrow, you might want to schedule a visit with your veterinarian who will be able to localize the pain, possibly with x-rays, but certainly recommend medications or supplements to make her much more comfortable. Thanks for using Boop by Petco.

Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Lazy! She does sound very painful! She likely has hurt her back, hips or tail. The fact she cries out when you touch her there and when trying to get up indicates back end pain. Some dogs with anal gland issues or Lyme disease can show similar symptoms. I would have her seen today by your Vet before the weekend. They will very likely on physical exam be able to tell where she hurts. They can then prescribe the correct and safest medications for her condition. I hope this helps and I wish Lazy a speedy recovery!

Thank you for using Boop by Petco! Diamond is adorable! It does sound like she is somewhat painful as she is hesitant to do normal activities. This can be caused by arthritis - pretty much any joint can be affected as well as the spine. Your vet can perform a thorough orthopedic exam and x-rays to isolate the signs to a particular part of the body. Certain conditions such as Lyme disease and autoimmune disease also cause generalized joint pain and can be ruled out with bloodwork. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you have about Diamond!

Hello there! Alice is an absolutely gorgeous girl! I'm worried with her having trouble using the stairs and jumping that she may have injured her back or one of her limbs. Is she limping or favoring any particular leg? German Shepherds commonly get diagnosed with both elbow and hip dysplasia and arthritis. We usually see this as a more gradual problem than an overnight one, but if she overexerted herself, it could have caused sudden inflammation. If it's her knee that is bothering her, I would be concerned about a possible ACL tear that could cause sudden onset pain. I would recommend taking her into see a vet. They can try to localize her pain with a physical examination and then will likely want to take x-rays of her spine or affected limbs to determine exactly what the problem is and how to fix it. Orthopedic x-rays in dogs require them to be very still to get precise angles, and they often require stretching that may be painful on an injury. For this reason, we often use sedati

It sounds as she suffered a trauma, either to her back or her hips, you will need to take her to the vet as soon as you can in order to get it checked, if it is nothing too serious she will need some rest and pain killers for a few days.

Yes, it could be hip dysplasia. It could also be a luxating patella (knee cap that moves out of place) or even a tear of the cruciate ligament; among other things. The hip dysplasia can be easily ruled out with x-rays. The luxating patella can be felt on physical exam with an experienced vet. The cruciate ligament is harder to diagnose. If I had to venture a guess, I would say, based on your description, it is her cruciate ligament. I suggest you video tape what she is doing on your phone and make an appointment with your vet. Show them the video and then discuss your options after your vet does a good exam. Just because dogs don't always cry out in pain, does not mean they are not in pain. She does have pain somewhere. We need to figure out where and then, at the very least, the vet can prescribe some medications for that. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Wow, that is terrible! Unfortunately hip and joint problems are very common in large breed dogs, and it could be that they are suffering from hip dysplasia and/or joint problems such as a tear of their cranial cruciate ligaments. It may just be a terrible coincidence that they both aggravated this conditions around the same time. I recommend resting them for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take they out to toilet on a lead only, and bring they right back in when they are done. If they still appears painful after this time, then I would take them into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. They may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give them any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given.

Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Luna! It is very common for dogs with neck or back pain to yelp out intermittently when they move. If she isn't jumping up on the furniture like normal or having trouble with the stairs that is common with back pain. With neck pain they don't life their heads much or shake their heads. The not fully shaking makes me even more suspicious that it's her neck or back. If she continues like this throughout the day I would call your Vet first thing in the morning for an exam to localize her pain. I hope this helps and I wish Luna a speedy recovery!

I agree that Bow seems to be in pain. Although the injury could be anywhere in his body, the big concern with his breed is an injury to the neck or spine. With their long bodies, Dachshunds are prone to back injuries. I recommend to have him seen by his veterinarian who will palate the neck, spine and legs to determine what area is injured. They will also try to determine if it is a soft tissue injury or related to the bones. Until you see the doctor, Bow must have strict exercise restriction. Do not allow him to do any more jumping, no running, no stairs, no walks and outside on a leash only. You must be cautious with a potential back issue as it can have serious consequences. I hope you find this helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions. I hope he starts feeling better quickly!

Alaska-what an awesome name! I bet she is a pretty dog! It sounds like Alaska may be experiencing some pain in her hind end. She is coming into her senior years as a giant breed dog, they age more quickly than smaller breeds sadly. I would recommend having Alaska evaluated by your veterinarian. They can do a thorough physical exam, manipulate her hind legs and palpate her spine. The vet may recommend X-rays to check for hip dysplasia, spinal arthritis or degenerative joint disease. They may also recommend blood work in preparation for starting Alaska on anti-inflammatory medications. A good quality joint supplement can also be used to help support joint health. Until you are able to have Alaska seen by your vet I would recommend restricting her activity and making sure that her bed is nice and padded.