Vet advice

[Malh001]

As there seem to be several vets on here i'd be grateful if you could answer the following:

I have a 6 year old border terrier who is in good health. Last week when i was hand stripping his coat, he was twitching and his skin was going into a mini "spasm" whenever i pulled the hairs along his back and sides. He also does it when i have stroked him since. He has never done this previously.

I know that alot of dogs, particulalrly older ones, have a "spot" that if you stroke makes them twitch or go into a spasm. It doesn't seem to bother him but i was wondering if there was a particular reason that causes it?

[Papa_Hotel]

Erm... Red Rocket?

Sorry.

[Malh001]

Papa_Hotel said:

Erm... Red Rocket?

Sorry.

????

[Papa_Hotel]

I'll apologise again.... Sorry. Are these the spasms he's getting?

[Malh001]

Lmao, i hadn't seen that before. No, thankfully they are not that type of spasm.

[Papa_Hotel]

Good!

[becksW]

Not a vet, a vet nurse. You're right, lots of dogs have 'sensitive spots' of all ages, some it's just a ticklish area for some it may be tenderness of the spine (e.g. arthritis), a pulled muscle, a bruise etc so it is difficult to say.

I would say if he is fine in every other respect give it a bit longer, it may be the stripping just made an area a bit sensitive a with a bit of time will settle down. However if it gets worse or he doesn't seem as athletic as usual, get him ck'd in case he actually has a sore back.

[Malh001]

Thanks Becks, i will keep an eye on him.

[Thevet]

Bit slow to spot the question but the ripple down the flank when you "tickle" them or run a pen gently down their flank is a perfectly normal reflex and would be more abnormal if absent. It does seem to be more noticeable if the skin is itchy or sore tho. HTH