My senior dog whimpers when crawling. Could it be back or hip pain?

I am sorry to hear about Lexi. Trembling in the legs can be a sign of pain or discomfort. I would recommend that Lexi see her vet for an examination. They can check her for things like arthritis or spinal pain. Spinal cord compression can also cause weakness/wobbliness/trembling while standing. They may recommend bloodwork to screen for things like hypothyroidism which can also manifest with neurological signs like tremors. There may be medication that can help Lexi dependingon the underlying cause of her trembling.

It could be that Roxy is in pain, and this may be caused by arthritis. 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. I hope this helps!

At 15 years old she could definitely have a medical issue going on. I suspect she may have some arthritis in her spine and hips/back legs which is why she is seeming sensitive on her back and limping on the hind limbs. I suggest you take her to your vet for an exam and to get some medication to help with the arthritis (if that is what is going on). We cannot diagnose over the internet of course I cannot tell you 100% for sure what is going on without examining her myself. That is why you need your local vet to help you figure out what is going on and how best to treat her. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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.

Poor girl. I am not sure if this strictly behavioral due to old age and a bit of senility or if she has an underlying issue. It would be worth while getting her examined by your vet to have a health profile done via bloodwork to ensure everything is normal, especially since this behavior is happening in consecutive days. If she is having senility issues, then that can be addressed with medication (i.e. Reconcile) or with a prescription diet (ie Hill’s B/D). Another possible cause for sudden whimpering in older pets is arthritis. This can be helped with joint supplements (ie Dasuquin, Cosequin, Rejuvenate) in mild cases or prescription pain control medication (ie Rimadyl, Galliprant) through your vet in more moderate to severe cases. I hope that things are well for your pet Mimi moving forward! Take care.

Poor Bella! Back problems are extremely common in Dachshunds because of their body shape. Arthritis of the hips and rear legs is also a common problem in older dogs. These problems are often very treatable with anti-inflammatory meds and pain medication, so I would recommend taking Bella to the vet for an exam when you are able to. He/she can take x-rays if needed to help determine what is causing her pain and soreness, and will prescribe medication to treat the problem depending on what is found. In the meantime, you could try starting her on a daily glucosamine/chondroitin supplement such as Cosequin or Dasuquin, as well as an omega-3 fatty acid supplement such as Welactin. Both of these things have been shown to be helpful for arthritis and other orthopedic issues in dogs, and can be purchased over the counter or ordered online without a prescription.

I am so sorry to hear this. I would make sure she is on a joint supplement - I like dasuquin or flexadin. I would also look into the orthodog hip hound brace. I have had some of my geriatric patients who this has help tremendously with getting up. Unfortunately, it doesn't work on everyone. I would also talk to your vet about whether or not she needs a daily anti-inflammatory to help keep her comfortable. Finally, if you can find a vet in your area who specializes in acupuncture and Chinese herbs, this can be a tremendous help to increase the STRENGTH and decrease pain in an arthritic dog. I hope this helps!