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.

[Amzybabezy]

Low-pitched moans are very common in puppies and are signs of contentment. Puppies moan when they are in close contact to their littermates, their mother, or their humans. Another sound of contentment is the sigh, usually accompanied by the dog lying down with its head on its forepaws. When the sigh is combined with half-closed eyes, it communicates pleasure; with fully open eyes, it communicates disappointment: “I guess you are not going to play with me.”
Although considered signs of distress, whines can also be used to communicate happiness and excitement. The difference is that a whine used to communicate distress rises in pitch toward the end of the sound, whereas a whine communicating excitement either drops in pitch toward the end of the sound or does not change in pitch.
Similarly, there are growls that are not used as warnings or threats but are used to communicate play. Such growls are noisy and medium-pitched, with no low rumbling (like that heard in warning growls) and no signs of teeth.


Found this whilst doing some research ... Also going an article about growing pains.. Hope this helps

[Maanu18]

I understand this is a very old post, but I will go ahead and answer here for new readers. From last three days a stray dog near my house whom I feed started moaning while lying down and with his eyes open. The answer that I got after I got him checked is that he has CCD canine cognitive dysfunction which is common in older dogs. You guys can Google the rest. I hope it answers most of your concerns. I'll be getting him treated for now and wait for the results.

[Ambiguity18]

Sadly I have no answers to add to this thread and only more questions. For several months my 6yr old dog (a Heeler/pit mix) as been moaning/growling/barking constantly. At first we thought it was for attention, but it kept growing, we'd ignore her or put her in another room till she calmed down (not wanting to reward that behavior), but it just keeps going. louder when we pet her, barking when we don't with a playful growl (growling like when she has a toy) she barks at her food and growls while she eats it, and moans all the rest of the time, walking, sitting, laying down. It's driving me nuts! The vet has done battery of tests (blood work, liver tests, joint and even an eye exam); tried various avenues of medication to no avail. It was suggested that it may be something neural, but to really know I'd have to see a specialist and get an MRI, which even with my dogs insurance is a lot of $$.
It has recently been postulated that it may be anxiety (I've moved about four times the last three years), so she's been put on Prozac and I know those take months to really see results, it's just so heart breaking to sit through knowing something is going on and I can't help her. She's been on this new medication for about 3weeks, and there's still now change...

[pcics5]

Hi have a11yrs old black Lab and he's on medication for his pain in his front shoulder bless him. And he's  been on Turmeric for the passed 3mths i give him 2 capsules twice a day but he still moans and groans but am still going to keep on giving them to him. Am going start fish oil as well. Got him booked into the vets on Monday see what he's got to say. Will keep you all up dated.

[Sunflower1776]

I'm looking for answers to this same question. I have an 11 yr old basset. For the past few months he's been sounding like an old man with really deep moans when he'slying down. He doesnt make any noise when he first lays down, but once he gets there and starts relaxing and getting himself more comfortable, the moans and groans start. Then they continue anytime he changes position. But, he does fine standing up, and he is still active. I have had to give him some muscle relaxers and pain meds over the last 3 months, but even with those he sounds uncomfortable. It is such a deep moan, too. Like the rest of you, he I s healthy in other ways, and he is already on grain-free food as well as fish oil. I hate thinking it is most likely discomfort.

[kiwi_nz]

Any more updates on people's grumbling dogs? I've got one here, not even 8 year old yet, border collie, male, fine as far as any check-ups have gone, no sore limbs, he still runs like crazy on the beach, eats his food, apart from a bunch of weeks ago, when he did not want to eat or drink anything, and then the grumbling as described by many of you started. Before we go through all the testing and Xraying and find nothing wrong like most of you...
Anything new?

[Chozzi]

This seems to be popular amongst achy old dogs, my 11 yr old lab, Monty is doing all the groaning, everyone describes in this thread. He does have a plate in his hind leg, ruptured cruciate but he groans both sides laying down and when he shifts over, we think it's arthritic pain. He's a little weak in his hips and occasionally falls over if he's playing and suddenly moves backwards.

Anyway, I'm going to give this a go, see how he is


http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/healing-with-turmeric-golden-paste-for-dogs/

[Dog_Lover_47]

My terrier-mix dog is almost 13 and has been moaning and groaning for a few months but as many have been saying is otherwise healthy (except for the usual eyesight/hearing/lump issues that senior dogs get) . It stresses me out because it worries me so much trying to figure out if it's mental or physical. I keep asking the dog if he's in pain...like he can answer me.  Finally giving in and taking him to the vet in a couple of days.

[JLSinCO]

My 13 years old yellow lab is displaying the same symptoms.  I've tried almost all of the same treatments.  All to no avail. How very frustrating. It is worth noting that this thread has been active for 6 years (9 Apr 2010).  

[Mlowrey2]

My IS is doing the same thing.. Vaccines were almost a yr ago and she's only a yr old. Did you ever figure it out? She just started it.

[sclenae]

HI Geha,

I came on here for the same reason & saw your post right away.  My 13 year old black lab moans & moans & moans.  The older she gets the more she is moaning & wide awake, not dreaming.  No painful wimpering, just moaning loudly.  She doesn't seem to be in pain but how do we know since they can't talk.... She has had all of her shots and been to vet recently, blood work is all normal.  I honestly have come to the conclusion that she is just old & she is just going to do that.  So frustrating not knowing exactly why.  We have given her some pain meds as well but no change. I changed her food to all grain free & she also gets the fish oil in her food.  Still moaning.....  If you find out anything at all about your dogs moaning, please pass on the information.  

Thank you,
Sclenae

[3dogkaren]

Sclenae, You sound like a great dog mama. Keep up the good work. I'm on here for the same reason. My boy was adopted from Taiwan in January. Now he is moaning when laying down. Eats grain free food. Loves walks.

[chryysti]

My Lab,Chow,Retriever mix was doing the same thing I took her to the vet and they said it was just old age, I  started reading about bone broth and found a reduced sodium chicken found at Walmart by the soups and broths and have been mixing it(approx 1/3 cup and she's 76 lbs) in with her food morning and night and she hasn't been moaning since shes been on it. It took about 3 weeks to notice a difference, it works and is inexpensive, my dog has untreated Cushings Disease also.

[Miado]

My dog moans and it sounds like she's crying she's a dotsado part poodle part Dotson about 4 pounds over weight she's been doing this for a long time I walk her she's very active and is very depressed when she's inside the house no matter how cold or hot she wants to go out she wants to play and doesn't want me to sleep and she's 6:years old tosses and turns all-night goes from room to room until she does fall asleep then. she's good for 10 hours she's very possessive and doesn't  she wont Leave my side and I'm not
Able to play or take her out for long walks she's a small dog and holds her stool untilmi do take her out and then poops about 6 times no lie she won't go with anyone but me

[grammahnotsee]

A Datsun is a car. (pronounced dot-son) Please tell me you didn’t try to breed your poodle with a car. A dotsado sounds like a violent storm made out of dots.
You may be referring to Dachshund? (pronounced däks-hu̇nd ; dak-sənd )

[jeanninerm]

Hi,
I am interested in your tumeric comment.  How did you give it to your dog?

[Moira8]

After several months of my 9 year old black lab groaning and on occasions thinking I had found out what the problem was which all turned out to be false, I took him to the vet today for his annual vaccination. The vet did a health check and has advised me it's his joints. I am already giving him Glucosamine and Condroitin for quite some time on a daily basis. The vet has now given him Loxicom for any inflammation.Hope this helps him.

[Deborama123]

Hello Suzedq and all.  I hope my post helps someone else.  My beloved 9 year old Golden/Lab mix Buddy started groaning while lying down about 4 or 5 months ago.  Since he had prior knee surgeries, we attributed it to arthritis pain and pretty much ignored it.  Three days ago he collapsed and we took him to the hospital.  After an ultrasound, and surgery to try and save him, he died. It turned out he had bloody fluid in his abdomen, from bleeding tumors on his spleen and liver. The groaning all those months was from abdominal pain from the tumors, which were compressed when he lay down.  Others please don't bury your head in the sand like we did hoping it was nothing serious.  I will never forgive myself for this.

[Hazel60]

Quick update
I swapped my dog's deluxe soft bed with very firm cushions from the sofa.
So far we are both getting the best nights sleep we've had in ages!
The noises have 95% stopped.

[Hazel60]

My border collie has been making a grumbly noise on and off for a year or so. It usually happens after she has lain down to go to sleep but before she is actually asleep. However it will sometimes start if she is lying there waiting to go out for a walk and I sometimes wonder if it's a protest of sorts. On these occasions she will actually stop doing it if I tell her. It's something in between a snore, a grumble and a moan! The vets can't say whether it is linked to her poor liver/kidney health and chronic bronchitis. Otherwise she is quite lively and agile for her age (14) and shows no sign of joint pain.
She used to sleep on the bed with me and now no longer wants to do this - don't know if it is linked. I've tried different dog beds and arrangements to no avail. It keeps me awake at night and I worry whether she is in pain but she looks settled - ie not making an effort to get comfortable like I do with my bad back!

[Moira8]

I think you might be right regarding the senility. He's now moaning again before falling to sleep. He is still eating very well which I'm told is good as usually not eating is a bad sign.

[Lisa_Brook]

My 11 year old Old English Sheepdog started doing the "moan" about 2 mos ago.  It's a deep low gutteral sound.  I have owned many dogs over my lifetime and know it is not a pain moan.  I thought  that it is senility setting in as someone in a prior post mentioned.  In people, they call it "Sundowners Syndrome"  in dementia patients.  

[Moira8]

Further update: Since making the appointment for the surgery to remove the so called tumour/anal gland I have been checking his anal gland and noticed both the swelling and infection has cleared. When I took him to the vet yesterday for the surgery I asked the vet to check again before operating as I didn't want him to suffer in any way by having the gland removed when it wasn't necessary. He sedated him to have a proper look and it would appear he has still got some infection but no tumour so he has prescribed him Antirobe. He will be on this for the next week and will be monitored closely by myself. I hope this will cure the infection completely and he will be my healthy old boy again soon. As for the groaning, it has reduced significantly.

[Moira8]

Further update: Took him back on Tuesday as a follow up to the infection treatment. Although the infection has almost gone I have been informed he has a tumour on the gland. Quite annoyed as I think this should have been picked up when I first took him almost 3 weeks ago. He's having the tumour removed next Friday the 13th.Good job I'm not superstitious!!
No wonder he's been moaning and groaning.
I now realise if he's moaning/groaning then he's doing it for a reason, so please don't ignore it by passing it off as cute.

[Moira8]

Hi, an update on why my Lab was groaning. How wrong was I thinking it was his joints etc. A couple of days later I noticed his anal gland was swollen so took him to the vet and his gland was emptied. Not easy as he was crying in pain when the vet went near him. Two days later I noticed he had a red infection on his anal gland so took him back and was prescribed Loxicom for the infection which has worked wonders and Noroclav for the swelling. He is like a different dog since and has a good restful sleep. The infection is clearing and his groaning has stopped.

[Kudzoo]

Our labradoodle started groaning some time ago, a little at first, then more and more.  Now, every time he tries to re-position himself while lying down, he groans loudly.  He was diagnosed with pancratitis, which is now cleared up but the groaning goes on.  Barium upper-GI, no problems detected.  Extensive x-rays, all normal for a 10 year old dog.  His weight is good.  He is on Deramaxx for hip pain.  Tried Tramadol for any other pain, but no change in the groaning.  (I've used Tramadol and it really works well on my pain.  Numb from the neck down).  The Vet suggested mild Bronchitis and Pharyngeal paralysis as possible issues, but nothing definitive.  The groaning goes on despite all the investigations and meds.  Spent several thousand on the old boy so far with no real progress.  Oddly, be seems to prefer the hard, cold tile floor instead of a dog bed or sofa.  He has a few lumps, but Vet not concerned about them as yet.  
Looks like this mystery will go unsolved until a smart dog somewhere learns to speak human.

[Kudzoo]

Our dog yelped once due to pain from pancreatitis, not something they normally look for because the blood test is expensive.  Put him on a low fat diet (expensive food) and it cleared up in 6 weeks.  But, the moaning continues.

[Camy_Romero]

this is EXACTLY what my dog does. He is a black lab/newfoundland. He's a very large dog, around 140 pounds, and is the most stoic dog I have ever known. However at night, he moans very loudly whenever he changes positions or just lying there. I know that hes not sleeping because his eyes are open, and it just sounds like he is in tremendous pain. He's not dreaming or frustrated, he's just on the couch awake, moaning when changing positions or wakes up and moans then falls back asleep. I'm always worried about it so I get him excited to go for a walk to see if he has hurt himself but he gets right up as joyful as could be instantly, and walks/runs just fine. Then, when we come home he's back at it again when he decides to lay down. I didnt know if his joints or bones hurt or just something is not right because his moans sound miserable. If a human moaned like he did it would be "uuuughhhh" "UUUUGHHHH" (sorry that's my best description of it).

[Moira8]

Hi, my 9 yr old Black Lab started this groaning noise when he appears to be trying to find a comfortable resting spot on his memory foam bed. Once he is comfortable he goes to sleep and is contented. He started this towards the end of last year. I believe it is arthritic joint related and with the colder months joint problems affect humans so will affect our pets also.