Yasko has always been pretty sensitive to the touch, I just thought it was the way he was. He's quick to bite your hand if you pet him anywhere other than his head or neck.

When he pees, I always notice he doesn't stretch out as far as Tiko, like he's hunched up a little bit. Never thought much of it, but I suppose it could be related to the below problem.

Today I was petting him along his spine and I noticed he'd duck down his back when my hand got to about mid-way of his spine. If I put any pressure there he lies down to avoid the pressure. If I persist and push on it firmly he lets out a whine and bites my hand. Its right around the same spot every time, and only that spot. Not like I'm pushing that hard either.

Before I make the haul down to the University of Liege for x-rays, I'd like to see if this sounds similar to anyone elses experiences. This is a dog that LOVES to jump, I can't keep his paws on the ground when there's a toy or food or anything. He runs back and forth in the kennel run and slams himself into the dividing wall about 300 times a day.

I kinda feel like this has been a long time problem that I've just not noticed, but it could be recent too I guess?

I've had so many damn medical problems with my dogs this past year that I am hesitant to call my vet yet again over something that I may not even have to worry about.

Thoughts??

Just FYI, have vet appointment at 2030 tonight. Will post back here when I get results, if nothing else, it might help someone else in future

IMO, you are making the right choice to take him in. The spine is nothing to fool with...

perhaps his slamming like that in the kennel has thrown a vertebre out of whack. ? The nerves in that area are very sensitive when *I'm* out of alignment and one/two trips to the chiro clears me up.

Hope it's simple, update when you know more.

I would have it looked at.

Do you have indoor/outdoor kennel runs Mike? I know I have seen pictures but cannot remember?

I had a GSD here for boarding that was really tall and she would hit her back on the top of the "doggie door" to the outside, creating a bruise and slight swelling on the top of her spine that was sore, in about two days.
Had her x-rayed and no damage and I did cut the door out so it was higher so it healed and went away.
He could even be hitting it on the top of the door to a dog house.

Not saying that is what it is, but something to think about.....

I have indoor runs and outdoor runs but they are not connected Other than his crate, which is tall enough, he doesn't enter or exit anything with limited height that I can think of.

He's a big goofy happy dog. I suppose anything could have happened with a dog that doesn't like to sit still.

Hi Mike, Have you had him checked out for tetanus? From what I remember, it can affect the spinal cord. Hope everything works out.

Hi Mike. Another thing to consider.... When we started going to the holistic vet, she checks the spinal column for vertebrae out of place. I have NEVER in the years of owning dogs had a regular vet do that. She indicated that it is very common especially for dogs who are active (or have been active) in protection training to have occassional need for spinal adjustments. Out of place vertebrae can cause varrying degrees of pain, according to her.

We subsequently took both our GSD's and also our old creaky beagle to the chiropracter she recommended. We've been very pleased with the results for the female GSD and beagle - who both needed adjustments.

Amazingly, our male GSD needed no adjustments which is apparently quite unusual for an active dog in protection training. The chiro said "please give my compliments to your helper!"

Hope all goes well. Just another thing you could check if your regular vet doesn't turn up anything.

Beth

Vet #1 couldn't reproduce the problem. I left feeling like an idiot. Got home, tried it again myself and he started snapping his teeth at me whining again. So, I took some video of it just so I have some evidence that i'm not hallucinating Then took him to my regular vet the following evening. Again, she couldn't reproduce the issue. So I did it for her, et voila, snap snap snap whine whine whine. Its something in the L6/L7 vertebrae.

7 days metacam.
14 days hot pack on his spine.
14 days of brisk walks and no running/jumping/psychotic behavior.

If he is still having issues in 14 days then take him to a place that can do contrast x-rays to check for a hernia. Unfortunately the place I am referred to charges almost $450 for this, so I need to find out where else I can go. If I learn French I can go to Brussels :p

Can you learn French in 14 days, Mike. $450 bucks is great motivation!

Hopefully you won't need to and everything will be fine.

Sounds like you are getting somewhere now, I really hope it all works out for you and Yasko....keep us posted...poor guy.

It must be something to do with all his activity.....
Gotta love the high drive dogs....the little sh**s!!