My dog has neck pain. Is it a nerve, muscle strain, or disc issue?

An immediate check up is required as these signs seems to be compatible with a neurological problem. Intervertebral disc extrusion/protrusion in the cervical area can cause commonly nerve/spinal cord and meninges (around spinal cord) compression. The compression may be dynamic, showing up signs when moving the neck in certain postures. X rays and more specific and advanced imaging procedures may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

I would recommend having Dougal examined by a vet ASAP. These symptoms could be caused by muscle strain, or could be associated with a slipped disc or other serious musculoskeletal issue. The vet will do an exam and may need x-rays to look at the neck and spine. They can prescribe pain medications or other mediations based on what they think is going on.

I would be very concerned about this level of pain and would recommend an exam by a veterinarian. It could be neurological, a disc problem, a strain in the bones or muscles of the neck or possibly an infection somewhere in that area. The vet may recommend x-rays to get a diagnosis. Please do not give any human pain medication as these can cause serious side effects in animals. It is best to get pain medication that has been prescribed by your veterinarian that is safe for dogs. I hope this helps and that Miky feels better soon!

Extreme pain localized in the cervical area is often related either to intervertebral disc injury or to a cervical nerve compression (which can give intermittent signs). An orthopaedic and neurological examination can easily and rapidly rule out these differentials. Congenital Atlanto axial subluxation can as well cause extreme pain so it would be to rule it out immediately. If the signs persist despite the treatment , I would recommend another check up, possibly from a different veterinary clinic.

How long it takes to heal, if at all, depends on the injury the neck has sustained. If this is a muscle injury then that doesn't take more than a week or two to heal completely in most cases to heal. Fractures along the cervical spine, can take months, if at all, to heal without any type of surgical intervention. So I think it is best to find out what type of injury your pet has with an x-ray. Hopefully the injury can be seen with this diagnostic test; however in some situations more advanced testing (CT, MRI) is required to visualize small or nervous system injuries that wouldn't otherwise show up on standard x-ray film. Hopefully this is just a muscle sprain and your pet makes a full recover within a week or two.

I recommend getting her checked by your vet right away. She could have a disc problem in her neck or upper back that is painful. Your vet will do an exam, labwork, and x-rays, and based on these results will be better able to tell you what is wrong with her and what the best treatment will be.

Bailey most likely has a bulging intervertebral disc in her cervical spine. Theses don't show on plain X-rays. The muscle spasms contribute to the painful episodes. Usually these dogs are not lame though occasionally they may hold up a front paw from pain radiating down the leg. I recommend pain medication with a muscle relaxer in addition you can use moist heat on her neck and shoulder, then some gentle massage to reduce the muscle spasms. I treat these dogs with laser and acupuncture to relive the symptoms. Bailey needs to rest, no jumping and use a harness to walk her not a neck collar. Generally as the disc heals over several weeks to a month the painful episodes go away. Your chiropractic veterinarian should be able to help with her pain. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Bailey.