What causes my Chihuahua to yelp in pain when walking or running?
It's possible that he has some back or neck pain. This is one of the more common causes of sudden yelps of pain that don't seem related to anything specific. It does sound like Oreo is likely having some pain, so I would recommend that you take him in to see your veterinarian today if at all possible. They will do a physical exam and determine whether he's painful and try to localize the cause better. They can send him with some medications to make him more comfortable and may recommend other treatments as well (acupuncture, therapeutic laser, etc). Until you can get him in to see your vet, avoid giving him any over the counter human pain medication, as there is not a safe option to use and giving something like aspirin at home will limit the choices your vet has to treat his pain when you take him in. Also, until you can get him in for an exam, keep him exercise restricted; don't take him on walks, don't encourage "tug or war," chasing a ball, or other play.
I hope that helps you! Thanks for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025