yelping in pain

[Kiwi]

Hi all....My 17 week old male has today started yelping in pain especially after he has been lying for a while. As far as I know he did not injure himself....He is now crying every time he moves and has us really worried...I took him to the vet as soon as this started and he went right over him...His temperature is fine, he went over every leg, felt around his stomach, even had a finger up his bum but could find nothing wrong with him. The vet watched closely while I walked him but nothing...The vet certainly heard him yelping but has no answer....He sent me off with a few Rimadyl for pain and thought that maybe he has pulled a muscle...When I got home the little fellow had a normal poo and then ate up his dinner just as normal...Has anyone struck this problem before or may know what it could be??? Since his hips seem fine and he is not limping I am starting to think that it could be a spine nerve root or somrthing along those lines.....If he is not any better tomorrow morning I am going to suggest x-rays...would appreciate any help you guys can suggest....

[Anne]

Have your vet do a drawer test on the knees of your dog. It could be a partial tear of the ACL.

[Judi W]

Is his back hunched up when he walks and stands? Does he trot at the speed where he should or do his back legs always move together like a bunny?

[brunie's mom]

I would be worried.
My Bruno was diagnosed with hip dysplasia when he was a pup...he often yelped in pain.
Please have your pup x-rayed...there is no other way to tell if the hips are bad. If you are planning on having your pup neutered soon...you could do the x-ray at the same time.

If you know what is up...then you can prepare for things.

Good-luck,
Gina

p.s.
If you are feeding puppy food...put your dog on a good quality adult food.

[Kiwi]

Hi Judi W & Brunie's Mom thanks for your replys...No I wouldn't say his back is arched and he is definately not hopping...It is 5.30am here and he has been yelping a little during the night
but has been asleep as well....I am surprised the vet let me go yesterday without an x-ray because he let out a couple of yelps as we left. I will ask to have a draw test done on his knees and he will definately be x-rayed this morning....Will get back...

[Sharon Marples]

An x-ray will not show a torn cruciate, the only way this can be diagnosed is by the drawer test.

You can x-ray for HD if the drawer test proves negative.

Good luck and let us know his progress.

[Kiwi]

Well the vet took another look at Bunce and suggested that I watch him close to try and pinpoint where the pain is stemming from before doing an x-ray....He again said he is walking fine and has ruled out his legs as being the problem....He is not yelping anywhere as bad as he was on the first day. I have noticed that after he has been resting in his bed, the first time he lifts his head from that position he yelps which suggests his neck...When I had him to the vet on the first day he did a small yelp as I was leading him while the vet was watching him walk...The vet then thought that his neck could be it but after moving Bunce's head from side to side and up and down there seemed no problem there....I called the vet today and told him I am convinced his neck is the trouble and he told me to see if it keeps getting better over the next 24 hours...if it does not he will x-ray then. I have his collar off and will not have him on a lead until Bunce is right....Given that the problem is in his neck area have any of you any thoughts about what could have caused it...it just seemed to start for no reason a couple of days ago......Thanks for any suggestions.....

[Judi W]

I'm sorry, but your vet cannot rule anything out, including hips and legs or spine without taking xrays. It is one thing to do a wait and see with a bit of lameness, but when dog is yelping in pain I think a bit more aggressiveness in diagnosis is called for.

[Judy Chrusch]

Hi Kiwi, I'm so sorry to hear about your puppy, I hope you can find out what's causing the pain soon:( . You don't use a choke chain for a collar do you, or has anyone or anything played too rough him? Try to think back when it all started, something may come to you that you didn't think of before. I would go ahead and have the X-ray, I wouldn't wait any longer bc depending on what it is, more damage could be done. Let us know how he's doing, I hope it's nothing serious, poor baby:( . Take care.

Judy

[Kiwi]

Thanks for your replies, I agree with you that an x-ray is required but I think that given the fact that he seems to be improving [as in not yelping every time he moves] the vet probably feels another day is acceptable....By the way Bunce has perked up in himself and will tear around the backyard if I let him and would eat a horse as well. I'm quite comfortable to give it one more day. And no I don't use a choker chain with him just a small leather collar. Thanks again will let you know what gives....

[Anne]

I must say I would not be too happy with my vet if my dog was yelping in pain and the vet did not treat him in any way or even xray to try and find out what is causing the problem.

I don't believe that when a dog is in such obvious pain, to take a wait and see attitude. If it was something that was perhaps just causing discomfort rather than outright pain then-----maybe-- just rest the dog for 24 hours but not in this case when the pain is causing the dog to yelp.

I would expect my vet to take some immediate action. Pain relief plus xrays to find the cause of the pain.

[Judy Chrusch]

Hi Kiwi, I was just wondering how your boy was doing? Please check in so we know he's alright:) .

Judy

[Kiwi]

Well we had Bunce x-rayed yesterday and no problems anywhere...Vet went all over his neck and could not find anything..Bunce is fighting fit and we have not heard a yelp in the last day. Vet had a look in his mouth and said by the look of his gums he was having a hard time teething so we have been giving him ice to chew and one painkiller a day to help...Whatever it was that was causing the yelp appears to be gone now....the vet was at a loss to pinpoint exactly the cause but said the a pulled muscle was probably what it was......thanks for all the help...

[Judy Chrusch]

So glad the X-rays came out o.k. What kind of pain killer is he getting? I'm glad he's better, thanks for the update:) .

Judy

[Anne]

Yes, Kiwi, thanks for the update. I have been wondering how he was going too. Glad all is well.