Maggie has back pain

[maggiefromnj]

I'm not sure when it started, but I noticed Wed night for sure that Maggie was not her playful self and was acting "off." I put it down to depression from the torrential rain we had all day. At one point she had gone into her crate which is very odd unless there is construction or a party going on.

This morning (Thurs morning) she was very subdued, she seemed sleepy. She laid with my son in his bed and didn't even bounce out of there when she heard son2 come out of his room. Someone rang the doorbell and she came down and gave them 1/4 of the normal greeting and then just sort of stood there, shaking a little. Not normal...she is a dog who thinks that anybody who comes over is there to play with her.

She laid about most of the morning. She seemed like maybe she had a headache or something. She went in her crate again a couple of times. Twice when I picked her up she moved about and tried to get down (not normal until she is tired of me holding her). She was drinking water, did not want her treat, took a small walk and wasn't interested in playing/wrestling with her boyfriend who we ran into. She wanted to go see him, but did not burst off in a run to do so as she normally does. She walked slower than normal, like I imagine an old dog would, or like she'd rather be inside where it was cooler.

I decided to take her to the vet. Temp normal....he pressed and poked her head and neck and stuff, all normal until she snapped at him (she doesn't snap, and this was only a small one...but she never does). She snapped when he pressed on her lower back (his words, not sure where). He said she is having back pain and to keep her on very limited activity (no boyfriend, no runs on beach --nothing) and he have her Rimidal (sp?) and said to bring her back in 2 weeks.

She seems slightly better. She did eat her dinner and she did want her nightly treats. She didn't try to play and we didn't encourage her to. She just chilled with us.

I hope it's just a sprain or something. I don't recall anthing out of the ordinary. It's possible Charlie (yorkie) pressed on her back with his paw while they were playing. I think I remember that, but I might have made it up. Yesterday, in the rain, she did nothing and I don't know when this started, but it seemed like yesterday. Also, on Sat and Sun we had her out playing lots of fetch with her tennis balls. We play in a ballfield and she runs from left to right field at full speed.

She just turned 4, she is current on her shots. She is never sick and she is almost 11 pounds, she is not thin, but she is not fat either. Yorkiepoo.

That's my story and I guess I'm hoping someone will tell me that sometimes they just get backaches and then they get over it, like us people sometimes do.

As for x-rays. I didn't think of it at the vet. I suppose if she was limping or something, but she's not, she just seems to have an ache or soreness. Do they need sedation for x-rays? Also, this would seem like a new injury and I think sometimes its better to hold off on the x-ray.

[kjc]

Back pain as you described from the vet's exam can indicate pancreatitis. I'd have her tested asap.

[Maximo]

Praying Maggie feels better soon. A couple months ago, we had an incident with Max. I believe he hurt his back jumping at the baby gate -- he was alone while I walked Teddy. He was rather subdued for 48 hours. He did a lot stretching, but his gait was normal, just slower. On physical exam, he shivered a little but did not react strongly. He was completely back to normal after the 48 hours and hasn't had a problem since.

Sedation for x-rays depends on the dog. I've been told that it isn't always necessary, although the ER wanted to do it to Max, even though he was compliant.

Definitely keep her quiet, no running or jumping. If she doesn't show improvement tomorrow, I would take her back for xrays -- especially because she reacted strongly to exam of her lower back. Sometimes xrays immediately after injury don't reveal the whole story (my dad's fractured ankle -- eek!), but valuable time can also be lost in treatment if you wait.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by kjc

Back pain as you described from the vet's exam can indicate pancreatitis. I'd have her tested asap.

I was thinking illness as a strong possibility too, especially if you don't think anything physical happened.

[Wylie's Mom]

Aw poor kiddo, I'm sorry she's not feeling well.

Well, I recently had a similar experience w/ my Wylie. I took him in and they did the range of motion tests w/ his back...he never winced but she could tell his motion was different on one side as compared to the other. So they did an xray and he does have disc issues in both his neck and in his thoracic area. He was given steroids and a muscle relaxant x 5 days - and it went away. Granted, it could come back anytime.

So, I'd def get an xray asap so you can confirm or rule out that it's def the back.

[107barney]

It does sound more like back pain to me and the plan seems like it could work. Keep is posted, hope she feels better soon.

[matese]

Originally Posted by kjc

Back pain as you described from the vet's exam can indicate pancreatitis. I'd have her tested asap.

My last girl (now past) went in for a routine check up, the vet encircled her lower body with her hands to reposition her and my dog yelped and snapped at her, my girl was a very passive girl, NEVER snapped or bit, or ever tried to bite. Immediately my vet said pancreatitis. And tests were done, that is what she had. I would go with the meds your vet gave, and the 2 week follow up. If she has not improved I would ask the vet about the possibility of pancreatitis. just MHO. Good luck

[maggiefromnj]

She is better today. I was going to carry her up the steps this morning, but she didn't let me catch her (sometimes she plays keep away). She went up the steps fine and hopped into my bed before I could stop her. That was a good sign. She is chilling in her normal spot and greeted me when I came home from the gym with enthusiasm and butt wagging. I think the butt wagging was less than normal but she is improved a lot from her demeanor of yesterday.

I am trying to keep her off the steps as much as possible, but she is a quick one! Luckily she doesn't have much reason during the day to go up and down so hoping she just chills at the front door. ( bed in front of the full view storm door is her favorite place!) I told her boyfriend's parents that she can't play for a bit, so hopefully they walk another route. She cries and dances around when she sees him to tell me she wants to go out. She even comes to find me in the other room sometimes.

I hope it's just a strain, but I will keep the pancreatitis in mind. She has no vomit, diarrhea, fever. I think her tummy is fine because she ate fine last night and wanted her tummy rub and scratching (as usual). She doesn't eat people food except,grilled or boiled chicken. Her only treats are chicken jerky made by me (or in USA) and the other treat is a pedigree jumbone (half of a small one).

I'll post back if anything happens for better or worse....

Also, would most experienced vets recognize pancreatitis as a possibility or is it fairly unusual?

[107barney]

Originally Posted by maggiefromnj

She is better today. I was going to carry her up the steps this morning, but she didn't let me catch her (sometimes she plays keep away). She went up the steps fine and hopped into my bed before I could stop her. That was a good sign. She is chilling in her normal spot and greeted me when I came home from the gym with enthusiasm and butt wagging. I think the butt wagging was less than normal but she is improved a lot from her demeanor of yesterday.

I am trying to keep her off the steps as much as possible, but she is a quick one! Luckily she doesn't have much reason during the day to go up and down so hoping she just chills at the front door. ( bed in front of the full view storm door is her favorite place!) I told her boyfriend's parents that she can't play for a bit, so hopefully they walk another route. She cries and dances around when she sees him to tell me she wants to go out. She even comes to find me in the other room sometimes.

I hope it's just a strain, but I will keep the pancreatitis in mind. She has no vomit, diarrhea, fever. I think her tummy is fine because she ate fine last night and wanted her tummy rub and scratching (as usual). She doesn't eat people food except,grilled or boiled chicken. Her only treats are chicken jerky made by me (or in USA) and the other treat is a pedigree jumbone (half of a small one).

I'll post back if anything happens for better or worse....

Also, would most experienced vets recognize pancreatitis as a possibility or is it fairly unusual?

Yes most vets know what signs point to possible pancreatitis.

[Maximo]

Great news that Maggie is feeling better. Sounds like it was just a little back strain. Hope she will be back to 100% soon so that she can play with her 'boyfriend' when he passes by.

[maggiefromnj]

Maggie is doing great. Still giving her the Rimadyl and I don't know if it is making her feel no pain or if she is just better. She seems fine around the clock and it never seems as if the pain med has worn off, so I tend to think she's "cured". It's a once a day pill.I think I am supposed to give it daily for the 2 weeks, but I hate to medicate if it's not necessary, so I'll be calling the vet to see if she should keep taking it when she seems to feel fine.

She is being her bouncy self, and has been pretty much since sometime Friday. Thursday was her bad day, the day I took her to the vet. The only thing I noticed was that sometimes she would wait to be lifted into my bed. (it's normal height, not the crazy high new style). I don't know if she got used to me lifting her, or if she knew the jump was high enough to bother her? She jumped donw when she pleased. When she was having trouble it seemed to be the "up" that bothered her, but not the "down".

I am having a hard time not being able to take her for walks, but the vet said not to for 2 weeks. That seems like a long time when she seems so normal. I am thinking of taking her back to the vet on Friday, that will be a little over a week from her bad day. I dont want to miss another weekend playing if I don't have too. She LOVES running/walking on the beach and the weather has been horrible so far and we haven't been down. Dogs are only allowed until Memorial Day so I'd like to get her down this weekend. (we only go for an hour or so per visit).

Then there is still the possibility that it was her pancreas I guess.

[Maximo]

Very happy to hear she is doing well! I think it is safe to assume that it is not pancreatitis, and that it was just a back strain. Good plan calling the vet's office to see if you can withhold the pain med and increase activity. I think you would be safe in holding it and watching her for signs of pain. Max has had Rimadyl a couple times, once when he was neutered and later for his eye surgery. I gave it only as needed.