What this means
A yelp or sudden cry when moving is a clear signal of pain, not something to put down to character or drama. Some dogs show pain quietly, so pain expressed by voice often means it is already strong.
Notice when it happens. A dog that yelps when lifted may have a sore back or abdomen. A dog that yelps when turning the head or bending to the bowl may have a sore neck. A dog that yelps as it begins to climb or jump may have sore joints. Some dogs yelp for no obvious reason, sometimes even at rest.
Look for other changes too: whether your dog holds the head low, stands stiffly, arches the back or does not want to play. Do not press or probe to find where it hurts, as that can make the pain worse. It is better to write down which movement triggers it.
Possible causes
These are things that can cause this sign. It is not a diagnosis, and they are not equally likely for your dog.
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Changes in the discs of the spine
A bulging or damaged disc can cause sudden pain on bending, lifting or turning. Your dog may arch the back or be unwilling to move.
About the condition: Intervertebral disc disease -
A back or neck injury
After a fall, a jump or a collision during play, muscles may be strained or tissues around the spine damaged. The pain is often sharpest straight after the event.
About the condition: Back injuries -
Joint pain
Worn joints can hurt when a leg is moved or lifted. Your dog may yelp when you try to pick it up or turn it.
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Pain from a head and neck disorder
Some dogs, especially of small breeds, have pain in the head or neck and yelp when the neck or shoulders are touched. They may scratch a good deal at the neck or shoulders although the skin looks normal.
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Pain from another cause
A yelp can also come from pain in the abdomen, teeth or ears. Note which part of the body your dog is guarding.
What else to watch for
These observations help your vet build the picture faster. Note down what you saw and when.
- Which movement brings the yelp: being lifted, bending, turning the head or climbing
- Which part of the body your dog guards or will not let you touch
- Whether the head is held low or the back arched
- Whether your dog scratches at the neck or shoulders with no visible skin change
- Whether your dog avoids play, jumping or stairs
- Whether it also yelps at rest, with no movement
When to book a routine visit
Book a visit if your dog yelps when moving or touched and it keeps happening for more than a day. If the pain is severe, your dog cannot move, the legs are affected or there was an injury, go straight away.
Related conditions
Conditions whose entries mention this sign. The list is somewhere to read on, not a way to reach a diagnosis.
- Intervertebral disc disease Bones and joints Intervertebral disc disease is a condition in which the discs that cushion the spine between the vertebrae degenerate, bulge or rupture and start pressing on the spinal cord or nerves. This causes pain and, in more serious cases, weakness or even paralysis of the legs. The damage can happen suddenly, even after a perfectly ordinary jump, or build up gradually, so it is not something to wait out.
- Back injuries Bones and joints A dog's back can be hurt by an accident or by changes in the spine itself, such as damaged intervertebral discs pressing on the spinal cord. This causes pain and sometimes weakness or even paralysis, so it is not something to wait out. Only a vet can judge what is going on and how urgently help is needed.
- Arthritis Bones and joints Arthritis is inflammation of the joints in which the cartilage gradually wears down, leaving the joint stiff and painful. It can develop with age, after an injury or because of joints that did not form properly. Ongoing pain limits how freely and comfortably a dog moves, so changes are worth showing to a vet.
- Syringomyelia Nerves and muscles Syringomyelia is a condition in which fluid-filled cavities form inside the spinal cord. It is linked to the shape of the back of the skull, which disturbs the flow of the fluid around the brain and spinal cord, and the cavities that form damage the nerve tissue. It can cause chronic pain and strange sensations, so it has a big effect on how a dog feels.
Body systems: Bones and joints Nerves and muscles