How does a blocked neck manifest in dogs?
If your dog has his head frozen in a low position, he is certainly experiencing pain in his neck. In veterinary jargon, this is called neck pain.
A dog with a locked neck may also have difficulty getting up and may show pain by screaming or whining. Head movements may also seem painful and difficult.
Sometimes, this pain is accompanied by neurological signs which can manifest themselves in particular by locomotor disorders.
Why does my dog have his neck blocked?
There are several possible causes for neck pain in dogs among:
- a simple muscle contracture commonly called torticollis. It can occur as a result of a false movement, a trauma or a little too much physical exercise,
- osteoarthritis in older dogs,
- cervical disc herniation. If this can happen in all dogs, it preferentially affects small dogs of brachycephalic breeds, with short and flattened muzzles such as the French bulldog or even the Shih Tzu,
- atlanto-axial instability, which refers to instability between the first 2 cervical vertebrae,
- syringomyelia,
- Wobbler Syndrome,
What to do?
If your dog has a blocked neck, you obviously have to put it to rest and contact your veterinarian as soon as possible so that he can identify the origin of this blockage and so that he can relieve your dog with help. of appropriate treatment.Diagnosis may require veterinary imaging examinations.
Depending on the origin of the problem, the treatment can range from the simple prescription of veterinary anti-inflammatory drugs to surgery, including osteopathy.
While waiting for the consultation with your veterinarian, never give your dog medications based on aspirin, paracetamol or ibuprofen on your own initiative. The medications in your home first aid kit are formulated and dosed for humans and are particularly toxic to your dog. By trying to soothe his pain, you would do him more harm than good!
On the other hand, you can possibly apply a flexible heat pocket (available in pharmacies) on the area that seems to make your pet suffer if the latter accepts it and if the pocket is not too hot! Do not hesitate to administer homeopathic granules of arnica 5 CH to your dog, at the rate of 2 granules every half hour in case of acute pain.Extremely diluted, homeopathic remedies have the advantage of presenting no side or undesirable effects and can be used without danger on the dog. On the other hand, they should in no case delay a proper consultation with your veterinarian.