Why is my senior dog sensitive to touch on her back and limping?

Her reduced activity level may be due to the lameness or arthritis pain. I recommend a veterinary exam for the lameness. They will feel her neck shoulder and the rest of the leg to determine the cause. They may also do X-rays to look for bone and joint problems. If they think Ruby is painful they can prescribe pain medication. I don't like older dogs to get too lazy and not exercise since they can gain weight and lose muscle mass which makes the lameness worse. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Ruby.

Poor Lily! If she yelps when she is touched in these areas, this is likely a sign that something is painful - even if she doesn't react when you examine her afterwards. She may have a pinched nerve, a herniated or "slipped" disc, or arthritis pain that could be causing her to do this. I would recommend taking her to the vet for an exam when you are able to - he/she can do x-rays if needed to help determine the problem and can also prescribe pain medication for her to help make her more comfortable.

She could be suffering from a hip problem, i would recommend taking her to your vet to get her checked, possibly have an xray done, if she has a bad hips she needs pain killers/anti inflammatories at the very least .

Hello and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Without seeing Lucy it is hard to say for sure. Gnawing at one area could be a sign of an allergy, like a flea allergy or pain. Even if you aren't seeing live fleas it doesn't mean they aren't there. And for dogs that are allergic, they tend to lick and scratch over the tail base. If there is a painful joint or area, dogs will lick a lot. At 13 it is very likely to have arthritis pain, this would also explain the buckling in her back. I recommend taking Lucy to the vet for a thorough physical exam and blood work to start anti-inflammatories. Please do not give any medications over the counter until you talk to your vet. In the meantime, you can wash the area with a mild soap (like Dial) and water to relieve some of the inflammation. Good luck and kisses to Lucy!

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.

This indicates that she has some degree of damage to the spinal nerves or peripheral nerves that control that leg. This can happen when they are hit hard by something, or (more likely) when they have a lower-spine disease. Old dogs tend to be more susceptible to various spinal cord problems that develop with age. These can be treatable though, so it's best to take Trixie for a vet evaluation sometime soon. The vet will be able to narrow-down the cause of this problem and provide pain relief (these conditions are usually very painful). For now, it's best to restrict her activity, as this can worsen her condition. Do not allow her to run, jump, or go on long walks until advised otherwise by your veterinarian. I hope that helps and Trixie gets better soon.

Poor Luna! Because she is 8 or 9, my first thought is that she may be suffering from arthritis. That would cause her pain, and from your description, it sounds like she is painful. It could also be that she injured herself. Arthritis is common in older dogs. I would take her into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose if she is suffering from arthritis, and can give her some pain meds for it. Rimadyl (an NSAID) is a good drug to give to help with the symptoms of arthritis. I also recommend giving her glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate supplements. They provide the necessary nutrients for cartilage repair and function. Use of them helps relieve some of the symptoms of arthritis, and you can use it in conjunction with Rimadyl to help maximize relief from her symptoms. Give her vet a call today to make an appointment. Best of luck!