Murphy's been yelping

Last night when I went to pick him up, Murphy let out this yelp. He went to the other side of the couch and sulked a little. I went over to see him and touched him and he yelped again. This time he let me pick him up. Jeff and I looked all over and touched his legs and back and he was fine. He wouldn't snuggle up with us and preferred to stay on the end of the bed so Jeff covered him in a fleece.

Today he seems ok. He's eating and pottying ok. But after a potty trip, Duke was being his usual obnoxious self, bumping into Murphy and he yelped again. I looked him over, munipulated his muscles and nothing. I gently rolled him on his back and felt him and he seems ok. I just gave the boys a cookie and he was hesitant to jump for it, but did do a little hop after some encouraging.

I have a call into the vet to see what he thinks. Has this ever happened to your pug?

Without limping or favoring, I would guess it was his back. He may have pulled something.

I agree with Marci, it could be a muscle he pulled in his back. I wouldn't encourage jumping right now. A little crate rest might be in order.

If I tried to put him in a crate he'd be worse off. (He'd go nuts trying to get out.) He's been snoozing most of the day on a new bed. And Duke's been watching over him, kissing him when needed.

Maryjo wrote:I agree with Marci, it could be a muscle he pulled in his back. I wouldn't encourage jumping right now. A little crate rest might be in order.

Is his tail curled as tightly as usual? Sometimes when their backs are hurting, the tail curl seems to loosen up. At least, that's what it has seemed like to me.

Hope it isn't anything serious.

Yes, rest until you can get him to the vet. Maybe a baby aspirin in the meantime? Hope all is okay with the Murph-man!

I just talked to the vet. Murphy's tail is curled as usual but he is circling a bit to get comfy. The vet suspect he pulled a muscle in his neck. I'm going to keep an eye on him and work from home tomorrow. If he's not better, I'll bring him in tomorrow.

Oh dear. Hugs to the Murph-man that he feels better soon!

Could be a cracked rib, that makes them really sore in some positions, and they will hurt esp when you pick them up. Does he stand kind of humped up in the back? It is so easy for these little guys, esp if they play rough, to crack a rib.

We're going to the vet at 11:15 tiday. He had a rough night and he's not himself. Wish us luck.

Hope you get some answers at the vet. Good vibes for Murpy!!

More good thoughts for Murphy! Fingers crossed that it's nothing serious.

Sending good thoughts for you & Murphy!

We're crossing fingers, toes and paws for the Murph-man!

It looks like Murphy hurt his back. He gave him a shot for pain along with rimadyl and tamadol for he next ten days. And I have to keep him quiet. Riiiiiiight.

Poor Murph! Good luck with the quiet thing....LOL.

Poor little guy. Give him a big hug for me!

The quiet thing is VERY important for the next 10 days if he is to have the best chance of complete healing. I would crate him plus heaps of quiet cuddle time. If he is really a hyper pug then maybe drug him with Rescue Remedy or something.... But then I am a meanie who does what is best for them rather then what keeps them happy.

Sending puggy vibes for quick healing...

Aw Murph, I'm sorry you hurt. Listen to your momma and be quiet for the next few days. I know you can do it. Sending you hugs and kissies from Penny Lane.

Do you have those doggie mini-stairs or ramps to keep him from jumping on and off sofas and beds? If you don't that might help. Otto has a chronic back issue and shouldn't jump, so we have those for him. Once he got used to them, he was fine using them. Low ottomans help, too, when he wants to get onto his favorite chair.

Hugs to Murphy - hope his back is all better very soon.

I'm so sorry Murphy is hurt. I hope it's something that rest and drugs can cure.

Sam, how is the Murph-man doing today? Any luck on getting him to rest?

gee i hope everything is ok

Murphy seems to be a little better - he's yelping less at least.

I have a call into the vet to give him an update. We've been trying to keep him quiet but he still jumps off the bed which is a problem. I have to get some steps for him to use. As for crate rest, it's not going to work for Murphy because he's spoiled. He hasn't been in a crate since he was under a year. Now he won't even go near one. So I've make sure there is a firm pillow for him and at night I adjust how I sleep so he's comfy. What's another few weeks in PT for my back, right? LOL

Edited to tell you all that he just stole a bone from Duke so I know this is a good sign. He was pretty mopey before and now he's getting back to his old, ruthless big brother self again.

Sam, I have a set of steps that would be a perfect height for your couch. I can FedEx or UPS them to you, if you want them. Penny absolutely refuses to use them, and she can't go down stairs, anyway, with her arthritis.