Why does my dog yelp when stepping down? Is it hip or joint pain?

Hello. Tis could be anything from simple muscle overuse, to a tendon sprain to an actual ligament tear. Ligament tears are unfortunately quite common, especially the anterior cruciate ligament ( ACL ). This may also be the first indication that Nalah has hip dysplasia. So, if she still seems very uncomfortable tomorrow, you might want to schedule a visit with your veterinarian who will be able to localize the pain, possibly with x-rays, but certainly recommend medications or supplements to make her much more comfortable. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Lazy! She does sound very painful! She likely has hurt her back, hips or tail. The fact she cries out when you touch her there and when trying to get up indicates back end pain. Some dogs with anal gland issues or Lyme disease can show similar symptoms. I would have her seen today by your Vet before the weekend. They will very likely on physical exam be able to tell where she hurts. They can then prescribe the correct and safest medications for her condition. I hope this helps and I wish Lazy a speedy recovery!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Diamond is adorable! It does sound like she is somewhat painful as she is hesitant to do normal activities. This can be caused by arthritis - pretty much any joint can be affected as well as the spine. Your vet can perform a thorough orthopedic exam and x-rays to isolate the signs to a particular part of the body. Certain conditions such as Lyme disease and autoimmune disease also cause generalized joint pain and can be ruled out with bloodwork. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any other questions you have about Diamond!

It sounds as she suffered a trauma, either to her back or her hips, you will need to take her to the vet as soon as you can in order to get it checked, if it is nothing too serious she will need some rest and pain killers for a few days.

Wow, that is terrible! Unfortunately hip and joint problems are very common in large breed dogs, and it could be that they are suffering from hip dysplasia and/or joint problems such as a tear of their cranial cruciate ligaments. It may just be a terrible coincidence that they both aggravated this conditions around the same time. I recommend resting them for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take they out to toilet on a lead only, and bring they right back in when they are done. If they still appears painful after this time, then I would take them into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. They may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give them any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given.

I agree that Bow seems to be in pain. Although the injury could be anywhere in his body, the big concern with his breed is an injury to the neck or spine. With their long bodies, Dachshunds are prone to back injuries. I recommend to have him seen by his veterinarian who will palate the neck, spine and legs to determine what area is injured. They will also try to determine if it is a soft tissue injury or related to the bones. Until you see the doctor, Bow must have strict exercise restriction. Do not allow him to do any more jumping, no running, no stairs, no walks and outside on a leash only. You must be cautious with a potential back issue as it can have serious consequences. I hope you find this helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions. I hope he starts feeling better quickly!

Alaska-what an awesome name! I bet she is a pretty dog! It sounds like Alaska may be experiencing some pain in her hind end. She is coming into her senior years as a giant breed dog, they age more quickly than smaller breeds sadly. I would recommend having Alaska evaluated by your veterinarian. They can do a thorough physical exam, manipulate her hind legs and palpate her spine. The vet may recommend X-rays to check for hip dysplasia, spinal arthritis or degenerative joint disease. They may also recommend blood work in preparation for starting Alaska on anti-inflammatory medications. A good quality joint supplement can also be used to help support joint health. Until you are able to have Alaska seen by your vet I would recommend restricting her activity and making sure that her bed is nice and padded.