SYMPTOM
Back pain or sensitivity
Flinching, tensing, or vocalising when the back is touched, or reluctance to bend and twist normally.
Musculoskeletal
Muscular strain, spasm, or injury to the soft tissues supporting the spine can produce localised or diffuse back pain. This may result from vigorous activity, awkward movements, or repetitive strain. The paraspinal muscles that run alongside the vertebral column are particularly susceptible to tension and spasm, which can create significant discomfort and a reluctance to flex or extend the spine normally.
Intervertebral disc disease
Degeneration, protrusion, or extrusion of the intervertebral discs can cause back pain ranging from mild discomfort to severe distress. The pain may be localised over the affected disc space and can be accompanied by neurological signs if the disc material impinges on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Certain breeds — particularly chondrodystrophic breeds such as Dachshunds — may be predisposed to disc-related problems.
Degenerative spinal conditions
Spondylosis deformans, facet joint arthritis, and other age-related degenerative changes in the spine can produce chronic back pain or sensitivity. These conditions develop gradually and may be discovered incidentally on imaging. The relationship between radiographic changes and clinical significance varies considerably — extensive changes may produce minimal symptoms in some animals while modest changes cause notable discomfort in others.
Inflammatory or infectious
Discospondylitis (infection of the disc and adjacent vertebrae), meningitis, or other inflammatory conditions affecting the spine or its membranes can cause marked back pain, often accompanied by systemic signs such as fever, lethargy, or reduced appetite. Spinal infections may be bacterial, fungal, or related to migrating foreign bodies. These conditions typically produce more acute, pronounced pain than degenerative processes.
Neoplastic
Tumours affecting the vertebrae, spinal cord, nerve roots, or surrounding tissues can cause back pain that is often progressive and may be accompanied by neurological changes. The pain may initially be intermittent but tends to become more constant as the process advances. Primary spinal tumours and metastatic disease from other sites can both present with spinal sensitivity.
Referred pain
Pain originating from abdominal or thoracic organs can sometimes manifest as apparent back sensitivity. Conditions affecting the kidneys, pancreas, or other structures close to the spine may cause the animal to react when the overlying back area is touched or palpated. This referred pain pattern can make localisation of the true source challenging without further investigation.
Why timing matters
Early observation
When back pain or sensitivity is first noticed, it may reflect a range of causes from minor muscular strain to the early stages of a spinal or systemic condition. Dogs may initially show subtle signs such as flinching when stroked along the back, a brief reluctance to twist or turn, or mild stiffness that resolves quickly with movement. Cats may react to touch along the spine with skin twitching, vocalisation, or moving away. At this stage, the sensitivity may appear intermittent and context-dependent, sometimes noticeable only after rest or particular activities.
Later presentation
Back pain that persists or becomes more pronounced over time may suggest an ongoing structural or inflammatory process within the spine or surrounding tissues. The animal may begin to modify its behaviour more consistently — avoiding certain movements, becoming reluctant to jump or climb, or showing a more rigid posture during walking. Persistent sensitivity to touch along the spine, particularly if it worsens or expands to cover a larger area, may indicate progression of the underlying cause. Secondary changes such as muscle tension, reduced activity levels, or altered temperament may develop as the animal adapts to chronic discomfort.
Back pain can follow several trajectories. Some presentations are acute and self-limiting, resolving within days as a minor strain heals. Others may develop a chronic, fluctuating pattern where periods of apparent comfort alternate with episodes of increased sensitivity — a pattern sometimes seen with degenerative spinal conditions. Progressive back pain that steadily worsens over weeks to months, particularly if accompanied by neurological changes such as hindlimb weakness or coordination difficulties, may suggest an evolving structural problem. The relationship between activity levels, weather, rest, and pain intensity can vary considerably between individuals.
Conditions commonly associated
Intervertebral Disc Disease in Dogs
Spondylosis in Dogs
Steroid-Responsive Meningitis-Arteritis (SRMA)
Neck and back pain is a hallmark of SRMA due to inflammation of the meninges surrounding the spinal cord.
Syringomyelia (CM/SM)
Neck and back pain in CM/SM results from syrinx formation within the spinal cord and abnormal CSF pressure dynamics.
Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD)
Spinal pain is often the earliest sign, causing reluctance to move and vocalisation when handled.
Syringomyelia
Neck and spinal sensitivity often occur due to syrinx formation within the spinal cord.
When to explore further
Back pain or sensitivity that persists for more than a few days, or that recurs in a recognisable pattern, may benefit from further exploration to understand whether a structural, inflammatory, or other process is involved.
When back pain is accompanied by changes in gait, hindlimb weakness, difficulty rising, or alterations in coordination, the combination may suggest involvement of the spinal cord or nerve roots rather than simple muscular discomfort.
A sudden onset of severe back pain — particularly if the animal cries out during normal movements, assumes a rigid posture, or is reluctant to move — represents a distinctly different presentation from gradual-onset stiffness and may warrant more prompt assessment.
Back sensitivity that is progressively worsening, affecting a widening area of the spine, or becoming associated with temperament changes such as increased irritability or withdrawal, may indicate an advancing process.
In breeds known to be predisposed to spinal conditions — such as Dachshunds, French Bulldogs, German Shepherds, or Dobermans — back pain may carry additional significance and context that could inform the assessment approach.
Observing which areas of the back appear most sensitive, whether the pain is present consistently or varies with activity and rest, and whether there are any associated changes in movement, posture, or willingness to engage in normal activities can help build a picture of the pattern over time. Noting whether the sensitivity is localised to a specific spinal region or more widespread may also provide useful context for understanding the underlying cause.
Last reviewed: 24 April 2026 · Dr Alastair Greenway MRCVS