My dog has back spasms. Can I safely stretch or massage them?

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Jackie. Anything is worth trying including what you mentioned and acupuncture or chiropractic medicine. Alternative medical modalities are always worth trying. Not sure if cold laser therapy would help but that is another avenue to explore. I would advise reaching out to vets in your area for these alternative treatments. Good luck with Jackie.

Poor Millymoo! Your best option is to take her to an emergency clinic and if she is in that much pain or distress, I think you should go. If you cannot get her to an emergency clinic tonight then things you can do at home include a gentle massage for five minutes. You can do this two to three times. You can also apply a warm, not hot, compress twice. This can help to relax the muscles. If you have any omega-3 fatty acid supplements for dogs, this can act as a natural anti-inflammatory. It will not be as strong as the medication from your veterinarian but it may help. The key is to be gentle and not stress her. Also, she needs strict exercise restriction. So no walks, running, jumping, stairs or getting on the furniture. Do not walk her on a neck lead, only use a harness. Best of luck.

Unfortunately there are no OTC muscle relaxers you can give Peanut. I recommend resting her for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take her out to toilet on a leash, 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. You can keep applying the heat, but back off on the massage as that may be painful to her. Best of luck.

This really depending on the cause of the limp. If there is sever muscular damage, massage could actually make the discomfort worse and if the limp is due to and underlying joint concern, massage may not do much. You'll want to visit your local Veterinarian for a comprehensive exam. This way you'll know for sure the best approach to take.

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. What you are describing could be due to back discomfort or discomfort associated with the skin. If Kobe is a high-energy dog and runs around and jumped on things it is possible that he may have injured his back. This may be a soft tissue injury such as a pulled back muscle or something to do with one of his spinal discs. As long as he is walking okay and not dragging his legs or in excruciating pain I would monitor for now as many times this is a soft tissue injury that will resolve with adequate rest and decreased activity. So I would start by either putting Kobe in a small area where he cannot run or jump or confine him to a crate for most of the day for the next seven to 10 days. If he is not improving or if he is worsening I would have his veterinarian examined him to ensure everything is okay. If he is not better I would also consider having x-rays taken of his back. The vet can also prescribe something for the discomfort if needed. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.

He needs to rest. You can use a sling or towel under his belly to help him stand to go potty and take short walks in the yard. Many dogs with neurological injuries will have muscle spasms and that can cause the knotting up that you are seeing. Your veterinarian will do an exam and prescribe medication for pain and often a muscle relaxant also. Will time he should improve as you are already seeing some positive changes. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Freckles.

Hi there and thank you for using pet coach to address your concern. It is difficult for me to say what this could be without seeing it in person. I would recommend having a veterinarian take a look at her. These spasms could be due to discomfort, neurological (seizures), infection or systemic disease. The sooner you have her looked at the better to rule out the possible causes. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.