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Why is my dog yelping and has painful bumps on her lower back?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 10 years and 8 months old | 13 lbs

Our dog Lilly is a rat-terrier/Chihuahua mix. Recently she's developed a series of bumps on her lower back, and has been yelping in pain. Initially we thought she had been yelping due to a resurfacing neck injury from a couple of years ago, but she yelps when she isn't moving and doesn't Yelp when she does certain things that would affect her neck. The bumps have gotten larger, and we've begun to suspect a correlation. Do you have any ideas what might be wrong?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Amber W

Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist

Published on September 10th, 2017

Hello and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Although bumps on the back could be cysts or related to infection, I am more concerned that Lilly is yelping related to something else that it painful. It could certainly be neck pain from an old injury or possibly lumbar disc pain. Back and neck issues can cause referred pain which means that other areas of the body can experience pain even when it is the back or neck with the primary issue. I recommend you have Lilly examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible to determine if the lumps are the primary concern or if neck or back pain is the cause of what you are seeing.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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