My dog's neck pain returned after meds. What further tests are needed?

I am so sorry your pet Payne is in so much pain. If x-rays came up negative for finding any obvious bone abnormalities, then more advanced diagnostics are needed to come up with a proper diagnosis, so that appropriate treatment options can be explored. I am also unsure of what exact medications the veterinarian has prescribed for Payne; however it sounds like he could use a re-evaluation of his pain management protocol. Gabapentin is a great neuropathic pain medication that the vet can prescribe if she/he feels that this may be nerve pain related. This can at the very least buy you some time until you can get more advanced testing done. I would also recommend considering getting a referral for an internal specialist to evaluate Payne and get a more specialized treatment plan for him. I hope you can get him some relief soon. It may be costly, but it can be done with the appropriate testing and expertise.

Something must be underlying and causing her pain. She had x-rays of what? I would be focusing on the neck/spine and hip areas. X-rays are only one diagnostic tool. Have pain medications been tried or only anxiety medication? If nothing shows up on the x-rays then an MRI would be the next step.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly neck or back pain. It could still be pain associated with a leg even if nothing seems wrong with them. Since he has not improved after seeing your veterinarian, I recommend that you have Romeo reevaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics include radiographs. Treatment would be based on findings. At the very least they can prescribe pain control medications to make Romeo feel better. In the meantime, reduce his activity as much as possible as that in itself can make a big difference. Good luck and have a good night!

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.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. At Peques's age neck pain is usually caused by intervertebral disc problem or chronic arthritis / spondylitis. X-ray/CT scan is helpful to identify what is the problem and to decide what is the best treatment. If Peques is still showing signs of pain and crating is not a viable option, getting a second pain killer will be probably the best course of action. Your local vet will be able to prescribe him an anti-inflammatory medication or a different pain killer for a trial to see if they can keep him pain free.

Poor puppy!! It sounds like your dog is on all the correct medications. I would try to find a canine acupuncturist as it can help greatly in cases of wind up pain such as you are describing. Intractable pain is also a reason for surgical decompression of the spinal cord as well. Otherwise keep doing what you are doing. If your dog will allow you to hot pack his neck that can be helpful as well.

Poro Mocha Latte! I'm not sure what, if any tests, have been done on her. If imagining tests such as x-rays, an MRI, or a CT haven't been done, I'd recommend taking her back into the vet to discuss having one or all of these tests done. Visualizing her spinal cord may help give an answer as to what is causing her pain, and she may need surgery to correct any issues. I agree this isn't normal, and I think what I suggested should be the next steps for her. I would make an appointment for her sometime this week. I hope this helps!