What causes my Chihuahua to yelp in pain when walking or running?

Sorry to here that Kemo is having some troubles. There are many things that can cause pain in dogs. Some of them include trauma, degenerative diseases, inflammatory conditions, spinal issues, cancers, clotting disorders, and some others that are less common. In a small breed dog of about six years, my top two differentials would be some sort of traumatic event (that could have happened when you were not around) or an issue with the back. Many times when dogs are lifted and they yelp, it is a spinal problem causing some pretty severe discomfort. If you have ever had back pain yourself, you know just how uncomfortable this can be. Based on the severity and progression of the problems, I would say that Kemo definitely needs a visit to the vet sometime soon. They will be able to perform a thorough physical, and based on the findings, determine if x-rays are warranted. They will be able to target what part of the body requires x-rays. There are many medications available to treat inflammatory conditions and trauma, as well as pain associated with the back and spine. I hope you are able to work through things with your vet to resolve Kemo's pain.

Hugo could have some anal gland discomfort or back or neck pain causing him to cry out. I would recommend seeing your veterinarian- they can check his anal glands and look for a source of pain. They might recommend some tests or starting some pain medication.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Lucy. She needs to see her veterinarian today. I am concerned that she may experiencing neck or back pain. It is common in small breed dogs and can be excruciatingly painful. It starts as a reluctance to walk or move, the dog will avoid stairs and is hesitant to jump on furniture. It is common for the appetite to be decreased and the dog to pant and shake. It can progress to weakness or even paralysis of a limb. So it is best to address it as soon as possible if this is the cause of her symptoms. In the meantime, keep her very quiet and carry her when she needs to move. I hope this information helps you and Lucy. Good luck!

Chronic pain in a three year old Yorkie should definitely be investigated more closely by your primary care vet. Back issues are quite common in small breed dogs, usually related to disk disease in the spinal column. This can be verified with an x-ray. Your vet will also be able to perform a thorough orthopedic exam to try and see if the pain is arising from elsewhere. Pain and be treated with various medications, including anti-inflammatories, opioids, and muscle relaxants. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for dogs in these cases is rest them. This means no more jumping, no more running, and no more rough housing for a couple of weeks to allow for any healing that might be needed. I realize this might be frustrating for both Lou and you, but it potentially might be for the best. Let me know if I was helpful and if there is anything else I can do for you.

Thank younfor submitting your question regarding Oochie. I am worried with the symptoms that you have described. I do recommend that he sees a veterinarian. Small breed dogs are prone to back pain. This can be very painful and cause a dog to yelp, not want to move, be reluctant to do stairs or jump and be less likely to eat. The veterinarian will examine him to determine if this is the case or if there is another issue. In the meantime, carry him if possible and bring food and water to him. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!

Hello, sorry to hear about Kona. He may be having back or neck pain associated with a disk injury. If you think he is in severe pain then he should be seen immediately by a veterinarian to determine the source of his pain. However if you think he can hold until Monday then he may be able to see his veterinarian when they open up. In the interim, please keep him quiet, rested and exercise restricted. That is no jumping, running, playing, or going up/down stairs. Keep him low to the ground and in his kennel for the next 2-3 weeks. When picking him up, keep him in a horizontal position to decrease pressure on his back and neck. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Poor Little Man. I recommend to have an x-ray to look for evidence of disease in his spine. This sudden pain could come from many things including intervertebral disc disease, discospondylitis, an anal gland infection or a pinched nerve. The x-ray could show evidence of the first two diseases. Discuss start medications like steroids and muscle relaxants with your vet as well. Have the anal glands checked as well. An omega 3 fatty acid supplement for dogs may also help but will not control the symptoms alone. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.