Great Dane with Neck Pain

[PuppyPaws]

My rescue Dane is approximately 3 years old. about 2 months ago, she demonstrated pain. We couldn't tell where it was coming from. She would periodically whine and whimper. We suspected maybe it was originating from her neck, but weren't sure. Then after a few days she improved.

Yesterday, she started demonstrating the same behavior. I took her to the vet and checked her over and said that believed it was coming from her neck right behind the crown of her head/skull. She does not want to turn her head laterally to either side very much. She prefers to shift her body so that she doesn't have to turn her head. She acts very confused. It is like she doesn't know what is causing it. She seems nervous and just wants to lay down by herself. The vet gave me rimadyl and flexadin advanced to start her own. The thought was possible inflamation is causing and these meds would reduce the inflammation and thereby reduce her pain.

My question is... Have any of you seen this before in your Danes?

Any help would be appreciated. I hate to see her like this.

 

[musicdeb]

I'm sorry to hear about your girl. We do not have a lot of GD owners on the forum.

Did the vet take xrays? Did he diagnosis arthritis? Did the vet check the spine?

 

[scorning]

Neck pain in Great Danes can be a sign of Wobblers. Its very common in danes and generally can only be definitely diagnosed with an MRI. I would recommend making an appointment with a neurologist. If it is Wobblers and you don't address it, your dog can get permanent nerve damage and become paralyzed. Wobblers can be medically managed or addressed with surgery. My last dane had Wobblers, and we went the surgical route, which was successful. You can also try the Neuro Dogs group on Facebook for more info.

 

[PuppyPaws]

Scorning, How did Wobbler's start in your Dane?

 

[scorning]

I rescued Dexter when he was about 6 months old. When he was about a little over a year old I noticed he was tiring out quickly and walking funny. I thought maybe hip issues, talked to several vets, none of them thought he had a problem. They also told me it definitely wasn't neurological. I know my dog, and I knew something was wrong with him. His symptoms were more pronounced with time and when he was tired, some back foot dragging, stiffness in neck, difficulty turning in circles. Symptoms can vary depending on where and the severity of the compression in the dog's neck. I eventually saw a holistic vet, she could tell right away it was neurological and sent me to a neurologist for an MRI. Dexter had surgery when he was about 2, it was really successful. He was able to walk/run normally, was never on routine medication for inflammation, able to turn easily. I took him to acupuncture to help with some minor inflammation and stiffness in his neck after surgery.

 

[PuppyPaws]

Musicdeb, I thought I posted this already in response to your questions, but apparently it did not go through...
The vet did not do an X-rays, She manipulated the spine and located the area of pain. She suggested that an X-ray would not tell us much if it was inflammation or nerve related. She mentioned that neck pain could be a sign of Wobbler's but that it typically is seen earlier than 3 years of age, so at this point she is not referring for an MRI. She gave us the medication as mentioned above to see if it helps. If this continues or worsens, I will request an MRI. I am praying it is not Wobbler's. Thanks for your help. If you have any other thoughts, please share.