Our Deerhound, Bella, recently has been yelping out as if in pain for no obvious reason. There is no physically signs of injury or strain. She is 2 years old, and is normally very healthy.

It would seem she whinces out, sometimes randomly, other times when she is about to stand up. She can also cry out if she thinks that someone is about to touch her, or go near her. Though, having said this, the tone of the whince sounds more painful when no one is near her, and she's on her own. As you can imagine, we are concerned and quite confused. We've owned many dogs through the years and that fact alone is still keeping us in the dark.

We originally thought it was due to some sort of attention seeking, but its happening too frequently now, even when she is being consoled by us.

Can anyone advise what might be causing this? Have any of you had similiar symptoms with your Deerhound?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Noreen.

Sounds like a classic case of Deerhound neck. Trip to the vet for Metacam called for, I think.

Thank you Sid,

I can see how it might be that, below is a quotation from Deerhounds.org on such symptoms..

"Head or Neck Pain (Incidence = 4%)
Neck pain has been reported in several breeds, particularly Beagles. It develops suddenly and tends to recur at intervals. Affected dogs keep their head and neck rigidly extended, are reluctant to lie down or turn around, and may have trouble eating and drinking. They often cry out in pain if their neck is touched or bent, or when they lie down. In Beagles, neck pain is caused by vasculitis (inflamed blood vessels) within the membranes that surround the spinal cord in the neck. What triggers the vasculitis is unknown. Treatment consists of medications to relieve pain and suppress inflammation.

In Deerhounds, neck pain episodes resemble those described in Beagles, but whether or not the underlying cause is the same (vasculitis) is unknown. Neck pain can occur in hounds of any age, having been reported in Deerhounds from one to eleven years old. It occurs more than twice as often in males as in bitches. "



Some of the symptoms mentioned here wouldn't coinside with how Bella is reacting. She doesnt mind lying down at all, she isnt purposefully extending her neck out or keeping her head straight. You can stroke and massage her neck without her whincing or yelping in pain.

I have noticed the odd time when she has groaned, that she's kicked out her back left paw, but it's not something that she consistantly does, you can handle that particular paw without her feeling discomfort also.

I suppose a trip to the Vet is the most appropriate thing to do?

Thanks...

Trip to the vet and if it was me - i would probably either see someone who does McTimoney
or an osteopath, you might need a refaral from the vet though depending on were you live.

My DH Ben had the same problem when he was about that age. I took him to the vet but they could find nothing wrong and thought it must be a tear in soft tissue somewhere. It happened again and I phoned a breeder whose opinion I respect and who had helped earlier with a problem and she suggested a McTimoney Chiropracter.

I located a practioner who dealt with animals and took him along. The Chiropracter felt his spine and found a vertebra slightly out of place. She very, very, gently manipulated it back into place, told me only short toilet walks on lead for a week and to return. I went back a week later and she repeated the treatment. He has been fine ever since and has had no re-occurance.

Ben didn't like travelling in the car so I had to lift him in. Although I followed the procedure recommended by the vet for lifting large dogs and was very careful, the Chiropracter recommended that I did not lift him at all as a dog like a Deerhound can very easily have it's spine put out of line.

Thanks Chook, Robb

Its quite a relief hearing that its rather common in this breed, we were starting to think it was a lot more serious.

We've noticed that she can yelp, when you are just about to touch her, that slight flinching that a dog can do, that split second when they're not sure whats going to happen. That flinching then resulting in a yelp, indicating that the quick movement she's made has maybe jerked her neck slightly? resulting in a painful reaction?

We were so puzzled as to why she'd yelp before you even touched her, but its making more sense now that its due to her somewhat nervous disposition, which is resulting in her moving quickly to get a shot of pain in her neck.

We were going to bring her to the Vet, but as you said Robb, your vet didnt find anything so researching this is very beneficial before visiting one.

Sorry to be grumpy...but your dog is in pain..dont mess about...get it to the vet..

Tend to agree with HB, trip to the vet first and then if recomended a visit to the chiropractise.

Good Luck

Pam

Noreen, you mentioned vasculitis...do dogs suffer from one variety, or can is it as with people, where there are aprox 5 varieties of the disease? Curious because I suffer with this condition and wouldn't wish it on anyone or any dog. I'm not familiar with dogs suffering with this.

I also would bring her to the vet immediately - joining HB here - sounds quite like the " deerhound neck " , which can take a long time to heal , chiropractic and acupuncture and metacam or similar - also , walks best with a harness !!! - help a lot .
Wishing her aa speedy recovery - do keep us updated please !