How to Treat Neck Pain in Dogs

Co-authored by Ray Spragley, DVM

Last Updated: September 20, 2024 Approved

Dogs can suffer from neck pain, just like humans. The cause of neck pain can range from an innocuous muscular sprain, to disc disease, meningitis, or neurological disorders such as syringomyelia (SM).^{[1]
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Research source} How you treat your dog's neck pain will depend on the cause of his symptoms, so it's important to get an accurate diagnosis. Take your dog to see your veterinarian as soon as you notice any signs of neck pain in your pet. Most of the time, anti-inflammatory medication and rest are the only therapy required, but surgical treatment may be recommended. Never give your dog human pain relief medication, like ibuprofen or Tylenol, unless it’s advised by your vet.

Veterinarian Pippa Elliott MRCVS suggests caution: "If you suspect a dog has neck pain, it's best to be cautious and be gentle with their neck. Avoid a collar, and instead use a harness. Raise the food and water bowls a little off the floor, and lift the dog rather than expect them to jump into the car."

Best Way to Alleviate Neck Pain in Dogs

Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to find out the cause of your dog’s neck pain. If your dog has a sprained neck, your vet may prescribe muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory medication. Make sure your dog gets plenty of rest, and do not give them ibuprofen, Tylenol, or any human pain relief medication.

For popular FAQs on treating neck pain in dogs, jump to more common questions.

Method 1

Method 1 of 6:

Treating Neck Pain Caused By Injury

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Dog's can suffer from whiplash and neck sprain quite easily. Anything from a sudden halting brake during a car ride to jerking his head around playing catch or running with other dogs could have caused your pet to experience some neck pain.^{[2]
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Your vet will want to run tests and may require X-rays, CT scans, or an MRI to rule out any more serious conditions. It's important to rule out those conditions, as many debilitating illnesses and infections that cause neck pain require quick medical treatment. Even a severe spinal trauma may require corrective surgery.^{[3]
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Administer supportive care. If your dog is suffering from a sprained neck, your vet may prescribe muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatory medication to treat the pain and facilitate movement. Allow your dog plenty of time to rest and recover.^{[4]
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- Do not be tempted to give human pain relief medication to your dog unless instructed to do so under veterinary supervision.

Method 2

Method 2 of 6:

Treating Neck Pain Caused By Lyme Disease

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1
Identify the symptoms of Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to a host (in this case, a dog) through a tick's bite. Ticks can thrive in many different environments in North America and Europe.^{[5]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} If your dog has been through a grassy field or a forested area, he may have picked up a tick. While the trademark "bulls eye" rash is an easy indicator in humans, it does not show up on animals, which may make this disease more difficult to diagnose in dogs.^{[6]
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Research source} Common symptoms include:
- Neck pain^{[7]
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- Muscle spasms^{[8]
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- Pain and sensitivity to touch^{[9]
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- Lethargy^{[10]
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- Signs of fever^{[11]
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Administer antibiotics. Lyme disease cannot be treated without proper veterinary care. Your veterinarian will be able to give you the antibiotics your pet needs to fight the disease and start feeling better. Some of the more commonly prescribed antibiotics are doxycycline, tetracycline and amoxicillin.^{[12]
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- Your dog will most likely need to take antibiotics every day for around one month. Your vet may recommend extending or shortening the treatment length. Follow your veterinarian's advice and ask questions if you're unsure of how or when to administer antibiotics.^{[13]
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Check your dog often for ticks. Dogs who frequent wooded or grassy areas should be checked for ticks often. To check a dog for ticks, run through the following list:
- Run your fingers over the entire length of your dog's body. Check hard-to-see places like armpits, between toes, and behind ears.
- Look for bumps or raised spots. Any time you find a raised spot, pull the fur apart to inspect the bump. Use a magnifying glass if you need to. If you see a tiny spot with eight legs, it is most likely a tick.
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Remove ticks whenever you find one. It's important to act fast, as ticks can transmit disease to their hosts within 24 hours of contact. To safely remove a tick from your dog:
- Use a clean pair of tweezers to grasp the tick's head, as close to your dog's skin as possible. You may wish to wear disposable gloves to reduce the likelihood of infection to yourself.
- Pull the tick straight out of the skin. If the tick breaks apart, be sure to remove any pieces left behind, as these may also transmit Lyme disease.

Method 3

Method 3 of 6:

Treating Neck Pain Caused By Meningitis

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1
Identify the symptoms of meningitis. Meningitis is an infection (usually viral) that causes an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It can affect any breed of dog, but some dog breeds inherit breed-specific forms of meningitis, and it is not known how or why this happens. Some breeds known to inherit this disease are beagles, Bernese mountain dogs, pugs, and Maltese terriers. Common symptoms of canine meningitis include:
- Fever
- Neck pain
- "Stiff" neck and rigidity (difficulty moving the head and neck)
- Weakness in the legs
- Loss of balance/equilibrium
- Seizures
Meningitis cannot be treated without proper veterinary care. The most common course of action is to suppress the immune response, typically through high doses of steroid treatment. Prednisone is commonly prescribed for dogs with meningitis, though your vet may prescribe other medications, either with or without prednisone.
Canine meningitis is rarely curable, and while treatment options can reduce the symptoms and improve a dog's quality of life in the short term, relapses are quite common, and may be fatal. Alert your veterinarian of any signs of relapse in your pet.

Method 4

Method 4 of 6:

Treating Neck Pain Caused By Cervical Disc Disease

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1
Identify the symptoms of cervical disc disease. Cervical disc disease, also known as a slipped disc, tends to happen as dogs age. Typically discs "slip" in one of two ways: disc extrusion, in which the nucleus pulposus slips out from the center of a vertebra and causes damage to the spinal cord, or disc protrusion, in which the fibrous ring around vertebrae grow thicker, causing the spinal cord to painfully contract.^{[14]
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Research source} Typical symptoms include:
- Neck pain/sensitivity^{[15]
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- Yelping or crying^{[16]
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- Rigidity of the neck^{[17]
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- Difficulty or inability to lower the head during feeding^{[18]
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- Difficulty walking^{[19]
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- Arched back^{[20]
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- Down-turned head^{[21]
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- Incontinence^{[22]
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- Paralysis^{[23]
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A veterinarian is the only person who can diagnose cervical disc disease. He will probably take X-rays of the neck and spine to determine whether a disc extrusion or protrusion is the cause of your dog's pain.^{[24]
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Give your dog supportive care. Unless your vet recommends surgery to correct the slipped disc, the best way to treat cervical disc disease is through supportive care.^{[25]
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- Keep walks relatively short. Use a harness on walks instead of locking the leash to your dog's collar, as a collar may put additional strain on your dog's neck.^{[26]
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- Administer any pain medication or muscle relaxants your vet prescribes for your dog.^{[27]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 6:

Treating Neck Pain Cause By Wobbler's Syndrome

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1
Identify the symptoms of Wobbler's syndrome. Wobbler's disease is a painful ailment found in many large dog breeds, such as Dobermans, Great Danes, and mastiffs, and is caused by either a slipped or herniated disc, or by a bony deformity around the spinal cord.^{[28]
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Research source} The name Wobbler comes from the short, "wobbly" stride of dogs afflicted with this disease.^{[29]
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- Weakness in the limbs^{[30]
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- Difficulty standing or rising after reclining^{[31]
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- Tendency to drag one or more paws (usually the back legs; look for worn or chipped nails as telltale signs)^{[32]
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- Muscle loss extending through the shoulders^{[33]
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- Partial or full paralysis of one or more limbs^{[34]
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Your veterinarian will most likely order X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI in order to diagnose whether or not your dog has Wobbler's syndrome. Depending on the severity of your dog's condition, your vet may recommend surgery.^{[35]
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Give your dog supportive care. Unless your vet orders surgery to correct the problem, the best thing you can do is make your dog comfortable. Administer any medications your vet prescribes to treat inflammation and swelling in the neck and spine. You will also need to reduce your dog's activity. Some vets recommend keeping dogs with Wobbler's syndrome confined to a crate in order to let the dog rest and restrict his movement.^{[36]
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- If your vet diagnoses your dog with Wobbler's syndrome, you will need to use a harness for walking him instead of a leash. Do not keep a collar on your dog's neck if he is diagnosed with Wobbler's disease.^{[37]
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EXPERT TIP

Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC
Canine Behavior Consultant
Colleen Demling-Riley (CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC) is a Canine Behavior Consultant and the Founder of Pawtopia Dog Training. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in creating and customizing dog management programs for dog owners. She is a Certified Pet Dog Trainer-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Behavior Consultant Canine-Knowledge Assessed, Certified Dog Behavior Consultant, and American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. Colleen is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals and has been a featured expert in national media including the New York Times, Woman’s Day, Readers Digest, Cosmopolitan, and Yahoo.com.

Colleen Demling-Riley, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, CDBC
Canine Behavior Consultant

When your dog is having health issues, give them extra care and attention. Make your dog as comfortable as possible. Put them on a soft bed or blankets in a quiet spot where they can rest peacefully, like a crate in a quiet corner of the family room. Give them space and avoid forcing them to walk or play. These comforting gestures can make a big difference in how your dog feels while they're sick or uncomfortable.
Some veterinary clinics offer water therapy and acupuncture as part of a holistic rehabilitation therapy. Talk to your vet about what may work best for your dog.^{[38]
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Method 6

Method 6 of 6:

Making Your Dog’s Life More Comfortable

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If your dog is suffering from any kind of neck pain, a collar may cause too much strain and discomfort on his neck and spine. A harness can be a useful alternative, as it spreads pressure over his chest and does not put any strain on your dog's neck. Avoid using a collar, and opt for unleashed, fenced-in yard time whenever possible instead of walking your dog on a leash.^{[39]
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Use a heating pad. Heat therapy is a useful tool in relieving mild neck discomfort, especially in dogs with arthritis.^{[40]
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- Follow the directions bag's packaging and heat for the appropriate time. Then speak calmly to the dog, encourage him to lie down, and place the bag over his neck for a period of five to ten minutes at a time.
If your dog is suffering from neck pain, he may have a hard time lowering his head to eat and drink out of his bowl if you keep it on the floor. Keep your dog's bowl elevated to a height that allows him to eat and drink without having to bend and stoop.^{[41]
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Monitor any deterioration in your dog’s mobility. It is important when managing neck pain to be alert for any deterioration in the dog's mobility. Neck pain is often a warning sign of other impending health problems, so it's important to determine and treat the cause of the pain, rather than just the pain itself.
- Any dog with neck pain should be rested as movement is likely to make the pain worse. If the dog has other symptoms, such as if he goes off his food, then a vet check is essential.

Common Questions: Tips to Relieve Dog Neck Pain

How do you know if your dog has neck pain?

Common signs of neck pain include yelping or whimpering during certain motions, muscle spasms or twitches, an arched back, inability to look up, uncoordinated movements, weakness, low energy, behavioral changes, and changes in appetite. If your dog exhibits one or more of these symptoms, schedule an appointment with your vet ASAP.^{[42]
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Where should you massage a dog for neck pain?

Look for sore spots on your dog’s neck that are tight and sensitive. When you find an area that’s strained, gently press your fingers into their skin, pull your fingers toward your palm, then release. If your dog cries out or recoils, stop massaging them.^{[43]
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American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a purebred dog pedigree registry in the United States. The AKC advocates for the responsible ownership of dogs and promotes purebred dog events, such as the Westminster Dog Show.

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How long does it take a dog to recover from neck pain?

Recovery depends on the cause and extent of the pain. If your dog has mild symptoms, your veterinarian may recommend 3-4 weeks of strict cage confinement, along with anti-inflammatory medication. If your dog has to undergo surgery, recovery could be anywhere from 4-6 weeks.^{[44]
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Tips

Try gently massaging your dog's neck.

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Neck pain is more common in some breeds of dog than others. This coincides with the higher incidence of disc disease in certain breeds such as Dachshunds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Beagles, and Shih Tzu. Talk to your veterinarian if you believe your dog may be at risk for certain neck and spinal injuries.

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