Worried about my lovely boy.

[AppleFox]

DH and I went out this evening, just to grab tea. We were gone for a maximum of 90 minutes. Lovely dogs were let home alone, in a dog-friendly room.

Got home to find littlest dog in pain. My gorgeous (usually healthy) boy, who isn't yet two, seemed to be in pain. He's not jumping up, or giving both paws when asked. His movements seem slower, more considered and he is giving us some unusual vocalisations. I am worried about him.

I don't think it's his legs, or paws, he's not showing signs of discomfort when I'm giving them a feel.

I think it's his back, chest or abdominal region. (Not narrowing it down much). He is eating if we take him his food - he's usually very food motivated so for him not to get up for a treat is a bit of a worry. I wonder if we'd jumped and landed funny, or eaten something odd, but I just can't pin down what it is that is causing him pain.

They usually sleep separately to us, but I'm sleeping with the dogs tonight and taking him to the vet first thing.

Any words of wisdom or hand holding would be gratefully appreciated. He's so dear to us that I hate to think of him hurting in any way.

[AppleFox]

He's getting progressively worse throughout the night. He's now crying whenever he gets up or lays down. It's heart breaking.

[rubyslippers83]

So sorry he is not well. Please take him immediately to the emergency vet.

[Slartybartfast]

i hope you are on your way to the vet.

[BiteyShark]

If you haven't already I would phone the emergency vets as it's getting worse and he's obviously in pain.

[Greekcatslovesouvlaki]

Another vote for the 24 hour vet, I hope your lovely boy is ok. Xx

[userxx]

Has he been seen by the vet yet? Hope he's ok.

[AppleFox]

Sorry for the delay in a response - its been a long night and all members of the fox household are exhausted. He's been seen by a vet. Suspected pulled muscle in the hip. Vet said he knows it will be excruciating pain because he did something similar! My lovely boy is on painkillers for ten days and strict rest for a month. We're going to be doing some puzzles and enrichment activities that he can do whilst on rest, with restrictive movement. It has been such a long night and I'm so grateful for the comments.

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

Glad he's just pranged himself. Poor thing will be feeling a bit under the weather and won't understand why! I'd recommend this group for enrichment ideas if you haven't already come across it www.facebook.com/groups/canineenrichment/

[BiteyShark]

Awww poor thing. Glad he's got some painkillers. I have done the emergency vets in the early hours before and it's shattering. Hope you all get some rest now.

[AppleFox]

Thank you all.

I wish I could say we are resting BiteyShark, but instead I'm writing lovely dog's recovery plan. Avocados, I am in that group and it's fantastic, lots of ideas in there. I've got a few ideas about how to keep his mind active but his body rested over the next few weeks.

I've spoken to the vet about hydrotherapy, and he's agreed that if all goes well, in four weeks we can look at giving it a go for a him. I'm looking at training opportunities that he can do whilst laid or sat too.

Even with the painkillers he is clearly in a considerable amount of pain and its horrible to watch. We've placed a hot water bottle (warm in this case) in his bed, just in case he chooses to rest his hip on it.

I'm really lucky that my husband and I can work from home so lovely dog won't be left by himself for the next few weeks.

I really appreciate the lovely support. I'm actually doing a degree in Canine Behaviour and Training but seeing a dog who is in pain seems to floor me every time.

[userxx]

At times like this it would be so much easier if they could talk! Hope he makes a speedy recovery.

[Greekcatslovesouvlaki]

So pleased to hear that it's recoverable. Must be a full to see him in pain, but he will get better. What a lucky boy to have such caring parents :)