Dog moaning while just lying down

[geha]

Hi, I have a ten year old black lab/springer spaniel.  About two months ago she started moaning a lot while she was just lying down.  Sometimes it is loud enough to wake us up at night.  It really does sound like she is in pain, and she is not the type of dog to ever whine or cry, she is very tough.  Prior to this, the only time she has ever cried from pain was when I accidentally closed the door on her tail.  It's not a constant moan, but somewhat frequent throughout the night or in the evening when we are watching tv.  

While upright she appears fine and not in pain, she plays and runs as much as usual, so much so that people still think she is a puppy even though she is over ten.  

I've been to the vet probably ten times in the past six weeks or so.  She's had multiple xrays to see if she's swallowed anything and to check her organs.  Everything looked fine in the xrays, the vet said the 'wall' of her liver may appear a bit thin (I believe that was the wording used).  She has had all her blood work done and everything came back fine.  

Of note, she had pancreatitis when she was younger and the test for that came back fine.  They also did a liver function test where she fasted, had blood work, ate, then later had blood work taken again and it was fine.  

Her joints all seem fine when the vet works them, just in case, we started Cartophen injections just over 4 weeks ago and have not seen any improvement yet, so thinking it does not have to do with joint pain.  

As per food, nothing has changed, she has been on Medi-cal gastro from the vet since she was about four.  In case it was a 'bad' bag that started it, I bought another bag with a different production code on it and started that, no change.

Any advice anyone else has or if you have experienced a similar problem thank you for the help.

[geha]

Hi,  Well I've had her in to see a specialist now.  He said it does not appear to be pain because she is not in pain the rest of the time or when he moves or touches her anywhere.  They did ultrasounds etc. and could not see anything.  His best guess, was that she is starting to go senile.  The only way to test for this he said was to give her medication which takes months to work.  I have started to give her fish oil with her dinner (which I picked up at my local health food store, they had one for dogs).  This appears to have helped the moaning slightly, but that may just be in my head.  It has, however, made her much more alert and to begin acting and doing some of the things she did years ago that I totally forgot (and this was after only a few days on the oil).  For an extremely active dog, it has made her even more active and happy, which I like, so I am going to continue with the fish oil and give it some more time.  Might be worth a shot for you to try as well?  Good luck, I'll try to remember to keep you posted in a month or so.

[cet1491]

I too had a black lab, that dreamed very loudly and frequently. She would moan, cry, twitch, and even run in her dream. I can't say for sure this is what it is, but it does remind me of my dog.

[smithheat]

I have a 7 year old male Irish Setter and he suddenly in the last week has started doing the exact same thing.
He had his yearly shots last week and was put on an antacid for megesaphagus that he has had since he was 1. And at the same time I changed his food to a Herring/adult formula. Same brand just different flavor. The moaning started a week ago, he is not in pain and not asleep. He runs and jumps fine and goes for walks normally but when he lays down he moans, a very low deep moan not a yelp in pain and will moan off and on when he changes positions. I have stopped the antacid in the last 48 hours with no change and am changing his food now to see what that does. If it is not either then it has to do with his shots. Did your dog have anual vaccinations before it started or has a history of acid reflux or megesaphagus?

[CORYGRAEF]

DID YOU EVER FIGURE OUT WHY YOUR DOG WAS MOANING? MINE DOES THE SAME THING.

[geha]

Hi Smithheat,  My dog had regular vaccines but has no history of acid reflux or meesaphagus.  She still does it, it seams to be less than before but more after heavy activity days which still leads me back to arthritis but I've been told from all the scans that it is not that.  We have begun to get 'more' used to it.  Has your dogs appetite changed at all?  Do you have to encourage him to eat his food?

[smithheat]

Hi there, no Homer does not act any differently than before. He has always gagged and had digestive issues but they have been under control. This "moaning" just started one day and hasn't stopped. It is so strange but he does not seem to feel bad and is extremely active but is not showing any signs of pain or weakness. No loss in appetite either. He kept me up all night three nights ago and again last night with constant moaning. It is very strange. I want to take him to the vet but it sounds like your dog and mine are doing the same thing and you didnt have any results from all your vet visits.
Keep me posted please as to how your dog is doing and if you ever find an answer and I will do the same.

[Maxwellbob]

My dog is doing exactly as yours.  He is a ten year old Chessie and the moaning is day or night when he goes to lay down.  He also moans when in bed while moving.  He had pancreantitis at two and we just went through about 2 weeks of antacids. Going in tomorrow for xrays of the neck.  Keep us updated.