Pets aren’t just adorable animals people take care of – they’re beloved members of the family. When your pet suffers from injury or pain, it affects your entire household. Whether you own a puppy or a senior dog, yelping is a sign that your pup is in distress and needs help.
There are numerous reasons why a dog may yelp when getting up in the morning or after a nap. A good pet parent will do his best to find out what’s ailing his pet.
Dogs (and cats, for that matter) are creatures of habit. They thrive on having a daily routine as it helps them know what to expect from their human family.
Over time, pet owners will come to recognize their pet’s habits, routine and behavior and be able to tell when something isn’t quite right. Random episodes of pain and yelping will be par for the course when you own a pet, as minor accidents are bound to happen over the years.
Your teen may step on your pet’s paw or your pup may get hit with a falling vase or lamp due to rambunctious play in the house. It’s when dogs start yelping for no apparent reason that you should be concerned, especially if it happens again and again.
A dog repeatedly yelping when he’s trying to stand isn’t normal. It’s a sign something is wrong with your pup, even though he appears to be as healthy as an ox.
Why Does My Dog Yelp When Getting Up?
There are numerous reasons why dogs may yelp when trying to stand. Your pooch may have an injury you’re unaware of that’s causing him pain or he may simply have cramps.
Like people, dogs are susceptible to developing medical conditions that can cause painful symptoms when they move about. Pain may seem like the most obvious reason for a pup to yelp, but you won’t know for sure until you have your pup checked by a vet.
Dogs react differently to situations and people they encounter in their lives. If your pup’s recently undergone major changes in his life, he could be experiencing anxiety, fear or stress.
Emotional upheaval can cause yelping or trembling symptoms in dogs. These symptoms may be more prominent when your dog arises in the morning and is confronted with the unknown.
Trauma could also be the source of your pup’s yelping symptoms. Your pup may be experiencing fear due to a recent trauma and yelping is his way of coping with the situation.
Naturally, yelping could be a sign of sickness, injury or painful medical issue in your pet and this can’t be ruled out. When in doubt, it’s best to check with your vet. If you can’t get your pup to a vet right away, schedule a video call with a veterinarian to get the answers you need concerning your dog’s health.
What Can Cause Pain For A Dog When Getting Up?
If pain is the source of your pup’s yelping, a visit to your vet will determine the cause. If your dog hasn’t suffered an injury that you’re aware of, the pain could be due to an infection, muscle cramp, hereditary joint ailment or degenerative joint disease.
Ear infections, for example, can be quite painful in dogs. Early morning symptoms could be the cause of your pet yelping as he arises. In like manner, your pup could be experiencing cramps due to muscle overuse, causing him to cry out.
Older dogs may be experiencing symptoms of osteoarthritis, a painful joint disease caused by years of wear and tear. Arthritic dogs will have trouble lying down, getting up and walking, not to mention running, jumping and climbing stairs.
If you notice your pup struggling to rise, it could be due to arthritis. For some dogs, even the smallest movement can trigger pain – yelping is your pup’s way of letting you and the world know he needs help.
Large dog breeds, i.e., German Shepherds, Great Danes, Labs and Mastiffs, are prone to developing joint issues like hip dysplasia due to genetics. This condition can cause pain in your dog’s hind legs, making it hard to stand.
Your dog could also be suffering from a slipped disc in his spine, a condition known as intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) in canines. If the shifting disc compresses your dog’s spinal nerves, he’s apt to feel sharp pain.
IVDD can occur in any dog, but some breeds like Beagles, Dachshunds, Shih Tzus and Basset Hounds are more susceptible than others.
Should I Be Worried If My Dog Yelps When Getting Up?
If your pooch only yelps on occasion and doesn’t show any other symptoms, there’s probably no reason for you to worry about his health.
Older dogs, in particular, are bound to experience aches and pains every now and then. If your pooch can’t get up at all without yelping in pain, it’s a cause for concern. Your first step should be to contact your vet for help in diagnosing your pet’s condition.
Like people, dogs will inevitably experience the aches and pains of old age. Your frisky, energetic pup will eventually grow into a senior dog that may develop painful medical issues that will impact his mobility.
That doesn’t mean, however, that your dog has to simply live with pain, especially when there are options for pain relief. Your vet can prescribe medications to relieve painful symptoms as well as recommend nutritional supplements to improve your dog’s condition.
There are also surgical treatments for correcting problems with joint issues.
As your pet is getting treatment, there’s much you can do at home to facilitate his recovery. Create a special nook for your pet where he can rest comfortably. Limit his physical activity to give his muscles and joints time to heal.
Be diligent in giving your dog whatever medication your vet has prescribed and carefully monitor his condition to see if further action is needed. You can even try applying hot or cold compresses on painful areas or giving your pup gentle massages to provide temporary pain relief.
Conclusion
Pain shouldn’t be a normal occurrence in your pup’s life as long as there are preventable treatments. If your dog yelps or cries out in pain when trying to stand, schedule a vet checkup to diagnose his condition. The sooner you uncover the cause of your pup’s pain, the sooner he can get treatment to put him on the road to recovery. With your support and veterinary intervention, your dog can continue to live a high quality of life despite his ailments.