Help- my Beardie has gone weird!

[lisamelanie14]

Hi there,

so today I took my bearded collie to the dog park. This is normally the best part of his day and he barks all the way there and runs around like crazy. He was acting normal to begin with and he was playing with a few smaller dogs when all of a sudden he yelped and sat down which is very unlike him. He eventually started to walk but it was like he was limping and he didn't want to run around anymore and kept sitting down and was walking sideways a little and his back was hunched up. He got in the car and sat down which again is not normal. We have checked his feet and he doesn't pull away so it doesn't seem like anything is wrong. He is sitting down by the door curled into a ball acting very depressed. Not sure what is wrong - maybe it's psychological? I have no idea?

Thoughts?

[lisamelanie14]

Hi all, thank you for your comments. We checked him over thoroughly and he didn't seem to have a sore spot. Felt all along his back, his toes, bent his legs and tail. The whole time he was shaking but he's usually a very nervous dog anyway. Dad has taken him for a run and a long walk and said he seemed alright and could run fine. Now he's back at home his tail is between his legs, he's sitting alone and dad had to carry him like a baby over to me to help inspect him.

We will keep an eye on him.

[Misfits4Me]

No, your not lucky enough for this to be just psychological!
Walking sideways w/back hunched back is potentially a herniated disk in his spine.....Please, seek medical attention ASAP....This is VERY painful and could rupture if not treated correctly.....

Next would be a torn ACL or the like......Your Vet can determine which it is......Good luck, Karla

[Margot49]

Sounds like he has hurt something.  Start at the bottom and check him over.  Check his feet thoroughly and in between his toes.  Any chance he got nipped?  They have a pretty dense coat.  Take your fingers or a comb and go slowly against the lay of the coat to see if you can find anything or a sore spot.
Stand him up and try to gently move his legs and bend them.  
Feel gently along his spine for any tender spots.
He could even have been stung by something.
Keep an eye on him and see if you can notice him favoring anything.