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Dog moaning while just lying down
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.
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.
Hi I have a 14year old staffy/bull terrier who started the moaning about 4 months ago only when laying down. Had all the usual blood tests, xrays, which showed up a little bit of arthritis in his lower back. I have started him on regular arthritis injections of cartrophen, I have also started giving him a 1000mg per day of glucosamine but it has to be the one that also includes chondroitin & msm & I also give him a 1000mg per day of fish oil, plus he has a 50mg tramadol tablet for overnight relief as this is when his groaning is worst. I live in Australia so I don't know what you have in the way of pain relief available to you but I would suggest looking into pain relief for overnight especially if you live in a cold climate. Hope this helps.
PS - 8 year old "Carolina" dog aka black mouth dog - likely a mutt of lab and something elses has begun to exhibit sounds of groans...
She goes UP stairs just fine. And only 25% of the time does she hesitate going DOWN them over the last couple of days. She no longer favors her right front paw/leg, that was for 24 hours.
Thanks again!!
She goes UP stairs just fine. And only 25% of the time does she hesitate going DOWN them over the last couple of days. She no longer favors her right front paw/leg, that was for 24 hours.
Thanks again!!
8 year old "Carolina" dog aka black mouth dog - likely a mutt of lab and something elses has begun to exhibit sounds of groans (AND hesitation walking down stairs for 2 days) when laying around and shifting from side to side. otherwise wagging,happy/kissing, healthy, eating, passing, and passed her physical fine 2 months ago, though a few pounds heavy, as we can't see her ribs anymore after the horrible lazy NJ winter.
She does try to climb trees to get squirrels etc. and recently was favoring her right front paw/leg/shoulder as well as stopping on the way down stairs. Perhaps a torn ligament or tendon or shoulder (eg rotator cuff)?
Shows no signs of any pain to the touch, anywhere.
She does seem a little more sleepy/lazy.
Nothing in her life has changed at all in the last 9 months - location, food, etc.
Thinking of trying exercise and fish oil, then if not change maybe some iron (if low, need to check blood report), some joint OTC supplements, pain reliever OTC.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts!!
She does try to climb trees to get squirrels etc. and recently was favoring her right front paw/leg/shoulder as well as stopping on the way down stairs. Perhaps a torn ligament or tendon or shoulder (eg rotator cuff)?
Shows no signs of any pain to the touch, anywhere.
She does seem a little more sleepy/lazy.
Nothing in her life has changed at all in the last 9 months - location, food, etc.
Thinking of trying exercise and fish oil, then if not change maybe some iron (if low, need to check blood report), some joint OTC supplements, pain reliever OTC.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts!!
My Lucy is an 11 yr old yellow lab. She started groaning and shifting positions and stretching her limbs while laying down about 3 months ago. She is obviously uncomfortable. I took her to the Vet right away and he discovered infected anal glands...expressed the glands and gave her an antibiotic. I waited. The groaning didn't stop. I took in a stool sample thinking maybe worms were the culprit. Turns out she had bacteria in her stools....;antibiotics again...groaning and discomfort continues. All blood work is fine. Something that is not really new, but may be worth mentioning, is she drinks LOTS of water and pants a lot. Her blood glucose was fine. I have already spent about $600 and have no more to spend. She is my guardian angel and the love of my life. It breaks my heart to know she is in pain & I can't get her the help she needs. She does have arthritis and gets monthly adequan shots. I just don't think it's joint related. I'd be interested in an update fro.m Geha
Hi. An Xray would be the ideal, just to discount obvious issues that the vet couldn't find. One thing you could do, which may help - but it's quite difficult to do from an owner's point of view - is to starve him for24hrs. If it's a gastric problem, eating will reactivate the problem and start the cycle again, so starving could cure it. And if it doesn't, well at least that's another thing you can discount and tell the vet about it. It's difficult to starve a dog for 24hrs, particularly if you have a dog that is food orientated.
It may also be worth thinking carefully about any new foods or treats you've given him over the last week or so, as these may be a suspect to causing the issue.
It is more likely to be a gastric issue if your dog does a lot of stretching, typically with his front paws outstretched, or with his back arching. If he isn't doing this, then it may more likely be a joint, muscle or spinal issue ... which will all require further examination by the vet. It may be worth trying an anti-inflammatory (vet prescribed), which would treat muscular strain - and if that doesn't help, then it's likely to be skeletal problem.
It's good that the bloodwork came back okay, as that has already discounted some of the more serious issues.
Tony
It may also be worth thinking carefully about any new foods or treats you've given him over the last week or so, as these may be a suspect to causing the issue.
It is more likely to be a gastric issue if your dog does a lot of stretching, typically with his front paws outstretched, or with his back arching. If he isn't doing this, then it may more likely be a joint, muscle or spinal issue ... which will all require further examination by the vet. It may be worth trying an anti-inflammatory (vet prescribed), which would treat muscular strain - and if that doesn't help, then it's likely to be skeletal problem.
It's good that the bloodwork came back okay, as that has already discounted some of the more serious issues.
Tony
my Irish Setter Mick has started this same thing. First time 9 days ago, went to the Vet that same day, she checked him out - all fine - did blood work up - all fine. We went home, he did a few more moans when he laid down and then was fine until yesterday afternoon - the moans/groans started when laying down - he would stand up and seem fine tho more sluggish than his normal self - this time I didn't run to the Vet - gave him Simeth. pill, tums etc in case gas tho he has never much passed gas or had this happen before however unlike the few hours of the last time, this time lasted through the night - he kept standing up and just standing there - I kept hoping he would have a BM so put him outside for a bit, when we came in around 3 a.m. he seemed a little better (he was also drooling a lot with the moaning) - he did eat most of his breakfast, went for a walk with us. Hate to make another trip to the Vet, what else can they do - hate to get into X rays and the like esp if just a gas issue. Mick is approx. 9 yrs old this year. Carol in PA
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