Activity Level and Back Pain

• Extremely active dogs can be prone to back injury and pain. Although the same can be said of sedentary dogs, dogs that participate in dog sports or in working or performance events may be prone to back pain due to injury.
  
  

Back Pain and Health

• Dogs that are overweight are prone to back pain as well. These dogs' extra weight puts undue pressure on their spines when they attempt to run or even to stand.
  
  

Breeds Prone to Back Injury

• Most of the low-slung breeds are prone to back injury. These breeds include (but are not limited to) the Basset Hound, the Dachshund and both breeds of Corgi.
  
  

Identifying Back Pain

• Dogs, like many carnivores, are usually stoic about their pain. Crying out when rising or moving into a sitting or "down" position can indicate back pain, as can back muscle spasms or pulling away from your hand as you attempt to pet him. Because some other internal ailments can mimic these symptoms, it is important for a veterinarian to diagnose any chronic or repeating pain.
  
  

Pain Management

• Pain management can range from simple massage to acupuncture to surgical treatment.