If you use the Chirp Wheel, you don’t need much help keeping your own back happy. But you still might need some ideas on how to keep your dog’s back happy. And unfortunately, there is no Chirp Wheel for dogs. Here are a few tips so your dog doesn’t develop back pain or make existing pain worse.
Causes of back pain in dogs
Breed. Some dog breeds are more prone to back pain than others. Dog breeds such as French bulldogs, dachshunds, beagles, Shih tzus, and basset hounds are more likely to have back pain. Check with your vet to see if you need to watch out for back pain in your dog.
Age. Just like humans, as dogs get older, their bones get weaker. This can lead to back pain.
Injuries. From car accidents to jumping funny, injuries can cause your dog to have back pain. Always get your dog checked after an accident.
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). Intervertebral disc disease happens when a dog’s spinal cord is damaged and causes pain over time. This is more prevalent in dogs with longer spines.
Arthritis and inflammatory disorders. Your vet will help you know if your dog has arthritis or inflammatory disorders, both of which contribute to back pain.
Symptoms of back pain in dogs
Back pain can be difficult to recognize in dogs because the pain they experience isn’t always associated with a traumatic event. We can help you learn to recognize the signs your dog gives you when he or she is experiencing pain.
- Lethargy
- Change in attitude
- Out of character aggression (lashing out when being picked up or touched)
- Appetite change
- Reluctance to do normal activities
- Tremors (even when it’s not cold)
- Showing a stiff or hunched posture
- Visible bruises or scratch marks
At-home treatments for back pain in dogs
Go to your vet with any concerns about your dog. Your vet will help you diagnose the problem and offer some solutions of things you can do to help relieve your dog’s back pain. Some of them might include the following:
- Get a special dog harness. Some harnesses wrap around the rear of your dog to help you lift them onto couches, into cars, or assist them up and down the stairs.
- Weight control. One cause of back pain in your dog could be weight gain. Help reduce your dog’s back pain with frequent exercise and healthy food for your dog.
- Keep them in smaller places. Keeping your dog in a smaller space might seem like a weird solution, but smaller crates or a smaller room might help minimize movement and help your dog heal.
- Add non-slip surfaces to your home. Place rubber mats or rugs on hardwood floors or slippery surfaces. This will help prevent your dog from slipping and injuring his or her back further.
Other treatments for back pain in dogs
- Medications. Your vet might recommend pain medication for certain conditions to help ease the pain.
- Physical therapy. You could put your dog through physical therapy to have a physical therapist help them strengthen certain muscles and reduce back pain.
- Hydrotherapy. This is a type of physical therapy that is easier on your dog’s joints and helps increase blood flow and assists in healing.
- Massage. Certain types of dog massage like Tui Na can help the healing process by accessing acupuncture trigger points and helping your dog feel better.
References
Burke, A. (2018, April 9). Is Your Dog Experiencing Back Pain? Here’s How You Can Help Relieve It. Retrieved from https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-back-pain/
Mueller, K. (n.d.). Recognizing neck and back pain in dogs. Retrieved from https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/neck-and-back-pain/
Petmd. (n.d.). 8 dog back pain remedies that can help your dog. Retrieved from https://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/8-ways-help-dogs-back-pain#slide-8
TPLO info. (2021, May 16). Everything you need to know about back pain in dogs. Retrieved from https://tploinfo.com/blog/back-pain-in-dogs-causes-symptoms-remedies/
