Does your dog groan or make odd noises when lying down to rest? Some dogs are just noisy, no matter the circumstance, and some dogs are quiet little angels when they flop down to sleep. If you have a normally quiet dog that is suddenly making noises, it could be nothing; however, there are some medical explanations for this happening. As with any health related issue with animals, context matters, but if you have any worries, get your pooch to the vet as soon as possible. Because our furry friends can’t talk to us, it’s always good to have answers to anything that seems out of the ordinary.
Here are three common reasons why your dog might be groaning.
Ascites
Ascites is simply excess fluid accumulating in your dog’s abdomen. This condition is also called abdominal effusion. Like some other health concerns, the groaning and grumbling is the least worrisome symptom of this problem, but it is a good clue. Ascites is a fairly common occurrence and is the most likely reason your dog may be groaning when settling in for the night. The other signs for this uncomfortable situation are vomiting and difficulty breathing, especially in dogs that are bigger in the belly area.
If your dog usually loves to have his stomach rubbed but suddenly reacts negatively to the attention, it could mean ascites or something worse. Because there are many reasons a dog can have ascites, there is no single method of treatment. Therefore, it’s best to seek a veterinarian’s opinion.
Puppy Growing Pains
Also known as panosteitis, this condition not only affects puppies but human children as well. The reasoning for the discomfort and subsequent groaning is that in some dog breeds, their bones will grow faster than their body can keep up. While this affects many medium, large and giant breed dogs, German Shepherds seem to be the most likely to suffer from this. Any puppy under 2 years of age can have this problem, but thankfully it doesn’t last forever.
If you notice your puppy limping, favoring a certain leg or yelping when you touch that leg, they may be suffering from growing pains. Even though growing pains don’t last, exercising your growing pup too much can make them susceptible to hip dysplasia later in life. Many trainers suggest keeping the running to a minimum until your pup is at least 18 months old, to avoid stressing those growing bones and joints.
Arthritis
If you have an older dog, those moans and groans might be something a little more telling than simple discomfort. If your dog is having problems lying down or getting up, or he is carrying out these simple behaviors more slowly, he may be dealing with the beginning stages of osteoarthritis, which is the wearing away of the cartilage between joints. He could also be dealing with the early symptoms of hip dysplasia, which is a bad fit of the ball and socket hip joint. Both of these conditions can be very painful for your beloved dog, but thankfully can be managed with pain medication and sometimes even water therapy.
Just like growing pains, the warning signs you’re likely to notice for arthritis are far more severe than just grunts and groans. The most common things to keep an eye out for are limping, excessive biting and licking at painful joints, and being hesitant to do active things that your dog used to love, and that he used to do with ease.
While this information is certainly no substitute for proper veterinary care, it might give you some insight into the causes of those groaning noises your dog makes. Not every noise means there is something wrong, but if you are worried or concerned, it's always wise to see a vet.
Many health issues happen over time and can be avoided with the proper amount of exercise and a high quality food like
CANIDAE to keep your dog healthy and make sure his weight stays in check. Sometimes things just happen though, no matter the level of care taken, so don’t beat yourself up. Just enjoy the good days with your buddy and work to keep him as comfortable and happy as possible!
