Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Has your female dog recently started arching her back? If so, you may be wondering if this is something to be concerned about or whether it’s just normal canine behavior.
We understand it can be challenging to figure out why your fur baby all of a sudden starts acting differently. So, we’ve put together some information about why a female dog arches her back and whether this is cause for concern. Let’s get started!
Why is Your Female Dog Arching Her Back?
There are many reasons your canine companion may be arching his back. For instance, she may be stretching after lying down for a long time. You may notice her doing this several times a day. That’s completely normal. But how can you tell your fur baby may have a condition that’s causing her to arch her back?
You may notice these symptoms along with your dog arching her back:
- Tightly tucked abdomen
- Abdominal pain & swelling
- Dog is vocalizing (whining, howling, or growling)
- Your fur baby doesn’t want to be touched
- Dog’s hind end is lowered (lower than normal)
- Her head and tail may be hanging down
These symptoms can be caused by the following medical conditions:
- Bloat (also referred to as gastric dilation)
- Anal sac disorders
- Intervertebral disc disease
- Spinal trauma
- Intestinal obstruction
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- And more
If your female dog is arching her back and showing any of these symptoms, then it’s time to call the vet. This could be an emergency, depending on what’s wrong with her. It’s essential to get her to the vet to be checked, as some conditions can be life-threatening.
Treatment Depends on the Underlying Condition
When you reach the vet, treatment for your fur baby’s condition depends on the vet’s diagnosis. Some conditions may only require some medicine to ease the condition (such as nausea, constipation, and more). However, emergency surgery may be necessary (for example, if your dog has an intestinal blockage).
In most cases, the condition causing your dog to arch her back is entirely treatable. Your dog arching her back is simply a good stretch in other cases.
However, if your female dog is arching her back and showing any other troubling symptoms (such as those mentioned above), don’t hesitate to call the vet. Arching her back could be a symptom of an underlying health condition. So, call the vet right away. Doing so may save your dog’s life!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live Now