Dog back injury: When can she run, jump, and play normally again?

Hello, prednisone is a steroid that although beneficial for some things it also has alot of side effects and needs to be used carefully and under the instructions from your veterinarian. The dose Kitkat is getting now is higher than most other doses prednisone is used for. It should be fine to stop the medication now after today but monitor her drinking habits and overall activity. If she seems lethargic, not drinking or drinking too much, not eating, then she needs to be seen by her veterinarian immediately. Back injuries can recur, so in the future, before starting medications consult with your veterinarian first. Additionally. even though Kitkat is feeling a lot better, she needs to continue strict rest for at least 2 weeks to allow her back to heal. That is no running, jumping, or rough playing with other dogs. Hope this helps and best of luck.

It seems she is hiring somewhere. At her age arthritis can be starting but I would suspect a back injury or a soft tissue strain or sprain. The best thing is actually cage rest. No running or jumping, no playing even if she feels better after a few days. She needs rest for at least 2 weeks. I would advise getting her seen by your vet as they have medicine to help make her more comfortable and can localize he spot that is hurting to help you prevent it again in the future

If there is any chance your dog has a back issue you need to insure she does not climb, jump, or go down stairs at all for a few weeks. This is not a common issue in large breed dogs. She certainly sounds painful however and I would make sure she has some pain medication available like tramadol or gabapentin in addition to the steroids (pred).

Hello. Your veterinarian has taken an abundance of precautions for your pet. For most routine surgeries, even in an older girl like yours, restricting activity for 7-10 days is fine. This usually means curtailing running up & down stairs, jumping on furniture & leaving a pet unattended outdoors for hours on end. If Precious is primarily a house dog, then just try & slow her down a bit & either walk her on a leash outdoors or supervise her activity. I think at this point in time you can let Precious play with her toys. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

It sounds like your dog has a problem with her back as that is a common sign of back pain. Dogs are usually reluctant to jump because it causes pain. Your vet can check her for back pain and then prescribe medications to help. She may need an anti-inflammatory, muscle relaxer, and/or pain medications to help. Also, it would be a good idea to restrict her activity for a few weeks, no running, jumping, etc. Hope she feels better soon!

Poor Angel Baby! She could have injured herself such as with a ligament strain or tear causing her to have trouble jumping. I recommend resting er for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take her out to toilet on a lead only, and bring her right back in when she's done. If she still appears painful after this time, then I would take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. She may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give her any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Excessive activity like that should be avoided to prevent surgical dehiscence. She should be kept as quiet as possible for at least the first 10-14 days after surgery and until the stitches are removed. This is to ensure appropriate surgical healing. Good luck and have a great day!