TL;DR: Yelping when hips are touched indicates significant pain from conditions like arthritis or injury and typically requires a veterinary exam within 24-48 hours. Seek immediate emergency care if your dog cannot stand, is dragging its back legs, or shows signs of extreme distress.
Why does my dog yelp or cry when I touch their hips?
- Yelping or crying when touched is a clinical sign of localized pain that your dog can no longer hide.
- This sensitivity can be caused by conditions such as hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, or muscle strains.
- Nerve-related issues, such as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), can also cause acute pain in the hip area.
Is it an emergency if my dog's hips are painful to the touch?
- The urgency level for hip sensitivity is typically Medium, requiring a veterinary evaluation within 24 to 48 hours.
- While rarely life-threatening in the immediate moment, it signifies significant physical discomfort.
- Go to an emergency clinic immediately if your dog cannot stand, is dragging their back legs, or is shaking and panting excessively.
How can a photo or video help my veterinarian diagnose my dog's hip pain?
- A video of your dog walking or sitting at home provides an unfiltered look at their mobility without the adrenaline rush of a clinic visit.
- Capturing your dog struggling to stand in their own environment helps the vet see the true extent of the pain.
- Photos of the hip area can help identify external contributors like swelling, skin lesions, or visible bruising.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Yelping when the hips are touched in dogs may indicate several underlying conditions. Hip dysplasia, a common multifactorial abnormality, is characterized by joint laxity and subsequent degenerative joint disease, particularly in large breeds. Clinical signs of hip dysplasia are variable and may include pain during full extension and flexion of the hip, reduced range of motion, and crepitation. Other potential causes include hip dislocations and pelvic fractures. If hip dislocation or pelvic fracture is suspected, a thorough sensory evaluation of the limbs is warranted. Radiography, including standard ventrodorsal views, stress radiographs (PennHip), and dorsal acetabular rim views, is useful in delineating the degree of arthritis and planning medical or surgical treatments.
Chapter: Obstetrics, Orthopedics, Neurology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1189)