What are some dog back pain symptoms?

As we’ve covered above, there are tons of symptoms of back pain in dogs: Reluctance to walk Stiffness or a hunched appearance Muscle spasms, trembling, or shaking Limping or dragging of back legs Barking or whimpering when back is touched

Back Pain Relief for Dogs

Q: Is ice or heat a better dog back pain treatment?

Trick question! Both are great for back pain in dogs, they just help in different ways. Apply cold compresses like ice packs or frozen peas to the site of an injury to reduce inflammation and pain immediately after a minor injury and up to two days following. After two days, most physical therapists recommend switching to a warm compress to help dilate blood vessels and help muscles relax—that’ll help a lot more with dog back pain at this stage.

Dogs are much more athletic than pretty much any human around. As an example, a 24” tall dog jumping onto a 36” truck tailgate is no different than a 6 ft tall human jumping a 9-foot tall wall day after day. An amazing feat, to be sure.

But here’s the problem: dogs aren’t designed for many of the things their athleticism allows them to do. When you add stairs, age, and carrying a little extra weight around, it’s very easy to see why back pain relief for dogs is such a major concern.

That’s where we can help you help them. Here at HPLL, we can help you understand your dog’s back pain. We offer the best products for dog spinal pain you can find, used by veterinarians like myself across the country. Let’s get cracking!

LONGEVITY PLUS-- The ONE longevity dog supplement every pet parent should get

What you need to know about back problems in dogs

Back pain in dogs is a very common problem, seen by veterinarians like me every day in practice. To get yourself up to speed, let’s review a few common facts about spinal pain in dogs. The more you know, the more you’ll be able to help them get relief!

Dogs aren’t built for how athletic they are. Their spine runs parallel to the ground instead of vertically like ours does and is only supported at the ends. This means that things tend to sag in the middle, which is where many spinal problems start.
Common indicators that your dog has back pain are a reluctance to move, a stiff or hunched appearance, and trembling legs, They may also yelp or whimper when they’re being petted in that area or when they’re being moved.
If your dog can’t move their back legs, this is a medical emergency and you should take your pet to your local veterinarian immediately. This is usually caused by something compressing the spine, most commonly a herniated disc.
Dachshunds, Corgis, and Basset hounds are very susceptible to spinal pain. Their long bodies and crooked legs put extra strain on their backs, resulting in a tendency for both herniated discs and early onset of spinal arthritis.
The more jumping and stairs your pet does now, the more likely they are to run into back pain down the road.

Benefits of dog back pain relief supplements

Every product we carry at HPLL is designed to do one thing: help your pet live a longer and happier life. Just as with us humans, the successful treatment of back pain usually begins with an accurate medical diagnosis followed by physical therapy, lifestyle, and correct medications. However, natural supplements like our Longevity Plus can improve both your pet’s overall health and their spinal comfort—naturally.

LONGEVITY PLUS: Curcumin is a natural painkiller and anti-inflammatory compound found in turmeric, but it’s very poorly absorbed normally. Our Longevity Plus supplement contains a patented form of curcumin called CurcuWin Ultra +, which has been proven to be over 100x more potent than the “regular” curcumin caps you will find in most pharmacies. Our Longevity Plus also contains another potent natural pain reliever called Boswellia, along with Ashwagandha to help reduce stress.

Rapamycin is a prescription medicine that has many health benefits for dogs such as reducing pain and inflammation in both peripheral joints and the spine. Here are also studies proving it can reverse cardiomyopathy, kill cancer cells, and even help to reduce periodontal disease.

FAQS about dog back pain treatment

The first step in helping a dog with back pain is to work with your veterinarian to learn the location and source of the pain. While supplements, prescription medicines, and sometimes even surgery have their place in helping dogs with back pain, there are many things that you can do at home to help your dog with back pain. These include:

Bed rest for the first few days
Avoiding stairs and jumping
Working to reduce their weight
Avoiding slippery floors (or putting non-skid rugs in place)
Beginning a rehab exercise program (once they are over the initial discomfort)

Just as with human spines, it depends upon the cause of your pet’s pain. Simple dog back sprains can heal with rest and the steps mentioned above. A more serious back injury in dogs can require not only prescription medications but also lots of physical therapy to resolve. If the symptoms worsen or recur, it can mean that surgery may be required to reduce the spinal compression responsible for your dog’s back pain. If your dog’s hind legs become weak or paralyzed, this is a medical emergency, and you should take them to your veterinarian immediately.

Trick question! Both are great for back pain in dogs, they just help in different ways. Apply cold compresses like ice packs or frozen peas to the site of an injury to reduce inflammation and pain immediately after a minor injury and up to two days following. After two days, most physical therapists recommend switching to a warm compress to help dilate blood vessels and help muscles relax—that’ll help a lot more with dog back pain at this stage.

As we’ve covered above, there are tons of symptoms of back pain in dogs:

Reluctance to walk
Stiffness or a hunched appearance
Muscle spasms, trembling, or shaking
Limping or dragging of back legs
Barking or whimpering when back is touched

While there are many causes of spinal pain in dogs, in general, they fall into three classes: muscle strains, arthritic pain, and the more serious pain caused by compression of the nerve roots or spine itself. Just as with humans, the inflammation associated with spinal nerve compression can cause radiating pain down into the limbs or abdomen.

Spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spinal canal, can be a hereditary problem. This is especially common in large breeds and can be variably painful. One common manifestation of spinal stenosis is the “wobbler syndrome,” and I have seen up close and personal how difficult that can be for a family. Spinal stenosis can also be acquired, such as due to injury or herniation of an intervertebral disc. This generally creates severe pain at the site of the injury.

Yes! If you have a quick question, you are welcome to email me directly atktomandvm@gmail.com. For more complicated questions or treatment plans, I am happy to work with you on a concierge consult basis.