Q. My dog Chalupa (a Chihuahua mix) started shivering and shaking and didn't want to eat his morning meal (a rare event). I took him to his vet, who determined that he had pain in his middle back. He had X-rays (which were normal) and he's now on pain medication. The problem is that he's still shaking occasionally, refuses to jump and isn't eating well. Could something else be wrong?
A. Sure. But if you've ever had sudden back pain, you know that it often hurts enough to lay you up for a while. In other words, it's possible that back pain is responsible for all of Chalupa's symptoms.
Acute neck and back pain is a common problem in many small and dwarfed breed dogs such as dachshunds, Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas and French bulldogs. The most likely source is a slipped disc putting pressure on the spinal cord or pinching tender nerves.
As long as your vet has determined that no other obvious injuries or major bodily dysfunctions are present, ''intervertebral disc disease'' is most likely the cause of Chalupa's misfortune.
If Chalupa is suffering no apparent weakness, reflex deficits or paralysis (sometimes the result of more severe disc pressure on the spinal cord), vets will typically address this problem with pain medication. Anti-inflammatory drugs for dogs like Rimadyl or Metacam, and even opiate-like drugs (often Tramadol or Fentanyl) in more severe cases, can often relieve the discomfort.
Muscle relaxants such as Valium can also help for dogs experiencing muscle spasms caused by pain. Steroid medications (like Prednisone) are usually reserved for the worst cases because of their many side effects.
Massage and acupuncture can be helpful adjuncts here, as can many less traditional treatments. Ask your vet about these approaches. Consider an evaluation with an orthopedic specialist or neurologist if the pain persists.
The most important thing is to keep Chalupa quiet. No running, jumping or exercise. One full month of these restrictions is imperative, even if Chalupa shows an inclination to jump or move vigorously. Buy a crate if you must. Few dogs will recover optimally without such limitations and some may even worsen to the point where surgery is required.
