Random shouts of pain

[NerdyDogOwner]

Lately Gizmo has been giving out shouts of pain. Just one "Yalp" every once in awhile.

The amount is also very random, could be just once a day, or several. This morning he gave out 4. Which really scarred me.

I have been trying to pay attention to what he is doing whenever it happens, and it seems to mostly set in when he is stretching. But also when chewing.

So I am thinking it could be growing pains, or even teething, but it still worries me.

Anyone have some insight on this before I call my vet?

[nomrbddgs]

Just my opinion, have the vet check for a pinched nerve. Your vet may not know, you may have to go to a Chiropractor to find out.

[MacPack]

My Eddie, 10, used to cry out occasionally. I give all mine a vet recommended glucosamine supplement, which helped and made the cries less frequent. A chiropractor friend worked on him and said one of his shoulders was "frozen" so we manipulate it often and now he does not cry out. Hope I haven't jinxed him now!

[AJs Human]

AJ does that sometimes when he's wrestling around with me. My vet said he though it was arthritis (AJ is almost 7 years old) in his shoulders and gave me Rymadil (spelling?) for it. It helps, but we only use it when he's having trouble and I try not to play too hard with him. Gizmo might still be a little young for arthritis, but, like with humans, arthritis might strike at any age. Poor Gizmo...

[Basenjimamma]

I sure hoep it isn't anything severe, being that he is so young.
The biting part, to me sounds like it is teething, but the stretching, I don't know. Is he yawning when he stretches. sometimes Otis will yawn and it sounds like he is yelping, no pain, just something he does while stretching..

[NerdyDogOwner]

No, he is not yawning as he stretches. At least not that I can remember. I will keep a look for that.

It can often skip a day. When we play, or go for walks he never makes a sound.

I gave him a bone today, and he has been chewing all day. Not a sound....sigh. I was actually hoping it was the teeth.

Anyways, I am gonna keep him out of the Dog Park for the time being, just in case the rough play with the other dogs might worsen the situation if it is a pinched nerve.

God I am such mess worrying so much about him. I do hope it's nothing serious.

[renaultf1]

No, he is not yawning as he stretches. At least not that I can remember. I will keep a look for that.

It can often skip a day. When we play, or go for walks he never makes a sound.

I gave him a bone today, and he has been chewing all day. Not a sound....sigh. I was actually hoping it was the teeth.

Anyways, I am gonna keep him out of the Dog Park for the time being, just in case the rough play with the other dogs might worsen the situation if it is a pinched nerve.

God I am such mess worrying so much about him. I do hope it's nothing serious.

I'd probably take him into the vet and have him checked. It may be something as simple as a strained muscle, but where it comes and goes it seems a little strange. Hopefully it is nothing serious. Does he limp at all?

[Basenjimamma]

I would take him too, incase it is something like a muscle or nerve, wouldn't want to aggrevate it.

[nobarkus]

I've heard Buddy do this a couple of times, once riding in the car and once in the middle of the night. Maybe he twisted wrong or something. Now I'm not home during the day so I don't know if it's happened anymore. He's perfectly fine and energetic.

[snorky998]

Try running your index finger gently on the outer gum line, then the inner gum line, then along the bottom of teeth (or top depending what set you start with). Watch Gizmo's reaction while you feel for any abnormal lumps or bumps.

My Ty had another bad tooth recently and he never went off his food, never had a odor in his mouth, no swelling of the face, no fever, no extra snarky behavior just his normal old man stuff, nothing but a slight "yeep" when I checked his outer gum line.

Still I would say as others, time for a vet visit. Had my bulldog for 11 years when random loud shouts of obvious pain started. Unfortunately, we lost him within the year.

Hope Giz is doing better today, and your vet visit is soon.

[NerdyDogOwner]

I tried out that gum line thing, didn't notice any discomfort.

He didn't make a sound today, and we have been taking it easy. Flat ground walks, stayed away from the Dog Park so no rough play. I am starting to think it was just sore muscles. We have been going on a lot of long walks lately. He did a lot of stretching, and yawning with no cry.

I am gonna put off the vet until I hear a new cry, then call right away. Also I am unemployed, and have to wait til next week til I get more money, can't afford a vet session this week, they cost 550 NOK which I don't have. But I will go if he does cry again, and just loan some cash.

[Basenjimamma]

Sounds like a good idea..so long as you keep a look out for it, you are doing good.
Sorry about you not having a job..sound slike it does here...unemployment is up..da-- economi..

[Rita Jean]

I do hope he is better. I know your taking good care of the baby. What about childrens baby asprin little orange ones can he takes thoses? Hey everone on here what about baby childrens asprin???????

Rita Jean

[NerdyDogOwner]

Well he did a cry today, and I went over and saw he had a toy in front of him. So I did the gum test again, and as I pushed away his lips/gums he cried out.

So it seems to be his teeth.

Anyways, I called the Vet and they will have a look at him tomorrow just to be on the safe side. Also it will put my mind at ease.

[thunderbird8588]

Hope everything goes ok at the vets and its not too expensive for you

[wizard]

Hope everything works out okay for you and your beastie.

[Basenjimamma]

I am glad that you were there to see what made him cry out. Hopefully he is"only" teething..

[Rita Jean]

Good luck I do so hope it is his teeth poor baby.

Rita Jean

[Zande]

Lately Gizmo has been giving out shouts of pain. Just one "Yalp" every once in awhile.
The amount is also very random, could be just once a day, or several. This morning he gave out 4. Which really scarred me.

When Donner (long since over the Rainbow Bridge) did this we took him to a vet who practised acupuncture. Actually, he didn't need to practise, he was darned good at it !

The Vet diagnosed a lesion in the high neck.

As I understand it, Acupuncture doesn't effect any cure as such, but it helps the body to promote cortisone naturally and a more relaxed dog means a dog who can heal quicker. And a dog no longer in pain.

Donner had three treatments in the first week, then 1 a week for a month and thereafter when we heard that first squeak. He'd go 6, even 10, months between booster treatments and he lived to be about 14 1/2.

Its an 'alternative' treatment we swear by.

Good luck

spw

[NerdyDogOwner]

Sadly I live in a small crap country, and options like animal acupuncture, or even masages are not to be found.

Anyways, I just got back from the vet and she couldn't find a thing wrong. She went all over him, checking his muscle movement, teeth, ears, eyes, joints etc.

Gizmo didn't make a sound, besides squirming around as if he was on fire.

BTW, Gizmo is only 16 weeks and he weighed in at 8.3 Kg! He is not fat or anything, just one "muscular guy" (to use the vets words), and has a very wide ribcage, and muscular legs with big paws (said the vet). Sure is gonna be exciting to see what kind of a man he is gonna grow up to be!

[vickilb]

When my female, Bandit, was a pup she would somtimes cry out in the middle of the night. I think it was when she was stretching. She had a herniated belly button. I talked to my vet who agreed to spay her at 4 months, rather than wait till 6 weeks. She fixed the belly button at the same time and she never cried out again.

She never looked like she had anything wrong but the breeder's vet had diagnosed her as a baby.

Maybe it's something as "simple" as that?

Bandit never seemed to be in real pain or discomfort either.

[nobarkus]

Sadly I live in a small crap country, and options like animal acupuncture, or even masages are not to be found.

Anyways, I just got back from the vet and she couldn't find a thing wrong. She went all over him, checking his muscle movement, teeth, ears, eyes, joints etc.

Gizmo didn't make a sound, besides squirming around as if he was on fire.

BTW, Gizmo is only 16 weeks and he weighed in at 8.3 Kg! He is not fat or anything, just one "muscular guy" (to use the vets words), and has a very wide ribcage, and muscular legs with big paws (said the vet). Sure is gonna be exciting to see what kind of a man he is gonna grow up to be!

It's so hard when they can't figure out what's wrong him. :confused: You want to help Gizmo badly but can't. It's like weird sounds you hear when you drive, you take the car in and the sounds won't occur for the mechanic.

[AJs Human]

It's exciting watching them grow.

Question to the experts on the forum: Is it safe to apply Anbesol to puppies who are teething?

[EskiLovr]

I would hesitate to put anything like a topical anesthetic on a dog. If they don't feel the pain, they might injure themselves, or make it worse in some way. With the mouth, they might chew too aggressively and make wounds or something.

Frozen rope bones would be my best recommendation. Soak the bone in water, or low sodium chicken broth, freeze, then give to puppy!

[Zande]

At that age he is probably trying to outstretch himself and to explore - so if the vet says there is nothing wrong just be vigilant but don't panic.

The 8.3 kg WOULD worry me though. Firbi, who I had to the Vet yesterday cos he was sneezing blood and she wanted to admit him and knock him out to investigate, is 9 years old and 9.6 kilos.

(Firbi seems to have an abscess in the throat near the windpipe which we are treating with antibiotics but there is also a lump on the side of his face which may/may not be related).

spw

[Basenjimamma]

NerdyDogOwner.
I am happy to hear that she can't find anything wrong, he might just me sore in is muscles from exploring.
I wonder if dogs go through growing pains like we do?

Otis weighed 8.5 kg (18.9lbs) at 4 months so right along the same lines, he however now only weighs about 10.4 (23lbs) and is looking rather skinny, and he will be 10 mo. om wednesday next week.

Zande, I am sorry to hear about Fibi. I hope the antibiotics work..

[thunderbird8588]

Glad that little Gizmo is ok :)
Sally sorry to hear Firbi isn't well at the moment, hope those antibiotics sort him out.

[Zande]

Zande, I am sorry to hear about Firbi. I hope the antibiotics work..


Thanks - I phoned the Vet again just now cos I wanted to be sure the lump wasn't anything to do with the abscess, i.e. that they were totally different areas and the abscess wasn't located just behind the lump. His grandmother DID have a fast growing lump and a malignant growth behind it.

Janet says no - no connection. This morning I couldn't get him to eat his antibiotic pill - he kept spitting it out or avoiding it. So I cut pieces of cheese, nice strong cheese and started chucking them into the air for the pack to catch - ALL mine are self-taught this skill cos if something falls to the floor, someone else will get it. . .

Once I'd got them going with the tasty morsels, I chucked one in Firbi's direction and he snapped at it and swallowed it right down.

I think I've invented a new way to get pills down Basenjis but you DO have to have a pack of catchers !

spw

[Basenjimamma]

This morning I couldn't get him to eat his antibiotic pill - he kept spitting it out or avoiding it. So I cut pieces of cheese, nice strong cheese and started chucking them into the air for the pack to catch - ALL mine are self-taught this skill cos if something falls to the floor, someone else will get it. . .

Once I'd got them going with the tasty morsels, I chucked one in Firbi's direction and he snapped at it and swallowed it right down.

I think I've invented a new way to get pills down Basenjis but you DO have to have a pack of catchers !



Brilliant...

[NerdyDogOwner]

NerdyDogOwner.
I am happy to hear that she can't find anything wrong, he might just me sore in is muscles from exploring.
I wonder if dogs go through growing pains like we do?

Otis weighed 8.5 kg (18.9lbs) at 4 months so right along the same lines, he however now only weighs about 10.4 (23lbs) and is looking rather skinny, and he will be 10 mo. om wednesday next week.

Zande, I am sorry to hear about Fibi. I hope the antibiotics work..

I did ask about growing pains, she said that it's normally larger dogs that get these because they grow at a faster rate. Our B's don't have that far "up" to go. :p

However, I am thinking it could be something he is doing it to get my attention, since I always react and go to him...

At any rate, only time will tell. For now, I am more relaxed after the vet visit.

[Zande]

For now, I am more relaxed after the vet visit

That's very important. If you are relaxed, he will sense it and relax too. Much better for both of you.

spw

[snorky998]

Frozen rope bones would be my best recommendation. Soak the bone in water, or low sodium chicken broth, freeze, then give to puppy!

Brilliant:D I'll pass this one on to all new pup owners I know. So simple and those rope bones wash up well in the machine.

Thanks Eski, this one makes me smack my head and say, 'why didn't I think of that?!' Cold for teething, broth if pup needs and incentive, and stringy/rope floss to clean the gum line so the permanents come in without plaque, therefore with less pain.

Great post.!!

[tanza]

When my female, Bandit, was a pup she would somtimes cry out in the middle of the night. I think it was when she was stretching. She had a herniated belly button. I talked to my vet who agreed to spay her at 4 months, rather than wait till 6 weeks. She fixed the belly button at the same time and she never cried out again.

She never looked like she had anything wrong but the breeder's vet had diagnosed her as a baby.

Maybe it's something as "simple" as that?

Bandit never seemed to be in real pain or discomfort either.

Diagnosed what as a baby? Hernia? Umbilical Herina's are very, very common in our breed, over 75% have them, very rarely do they cause a problem and are usually repaired during a spay.

[Rita Jean]

Pat do you know why umbilical herina's are so common in B's???

Rita Jean

[NerdyDogOwner]

Pat do you know why umbilical herina's are so common in B's???

Rita Jean

Because it's common for a Basenji bitch to "snap" them out when giving birth. This is at least what my breeder told me. Gizmo has one, as did all his brothers.

She said it's because B's are impatient.

If that is true or not I don't know, maybe they just don't like the discomfort of giving birth. Could even be an instinct they have for the mother to give birth as fast as possible for safety reasons.

[Zande]

Pat do you know why umbilical herina's are so common in B's???


It probably has no bearing but if you can't get there and cut the cord - fast - Mom will put a paw firmly in the pup's tum, grab the cord in her mouth and WRENCH.

However, in my not unlimited experience, those are the worst umbilical hernias. Chezz had a habit of dropping pups - splat- onto the pavement outside the back door when she went out to pee. I well remember carrying Trouble back indoors, still attached when Chezz decided to take a hand before I could grab the utensils. Trouble has a huge fatty lump but which makes absolutely no difference to her.

We've never had one fixed -

spw