Dog that is sensitive to touch on his back??

I have a 1 year old golden retriever. He’s the best. He’s my best friend in the world and the sweetest guy I’ve ever met.

This morning we were going through our normal morning routine.. he’s being lazy and staying in bed until he hears his food hit the bowl and then we go out to throw the ball around and then go for a walk. First, he doesn’t come out of bed. After I convince him to get up, I take him outside and he’s just really not into it. This is super weird for him. Typically I see a look of uncontrollable excitement come over him immediately when the tennis ball comes out but this morning, nothing. I, recognizing something is up, check him over and there’s no sign of anything on him body that would indicate he’s hurt or injured. No limping or anything like that - just standing there looking sad. He goes to the bathroom and everything seems fine. He’s clearly acting uncomfortable and unhappy; not at all his normal nutcase self.

He proceeds to spend the entire day lying in bed, the most lethargic I’ve ever seen him. He didn’t eat his breakfast. He was sleeping all day and periodically would look at me dopey eyed for a second and then go back to sleep. I work from home so I was lucky enough to be with him all day. He did not get up again until 6:00pm at which time he ate some of his food and had a little bit more pep in his step, plays with a toy for a minute, but still clearly not himself.

What seemed most strange to me is that the one thing that I could discover is that midway down his back seems to be sensitive. I inspected and there are no cuts and the skin appears to be fine. But even to the slightest touch, his skin starts to do that twitchy thing and he doesn’t seem to like it. No yelping or whimpering, but clearly causing discomfort. No other part of his body is affected like this right now.

Here are the only notable changes in his life over the past few days that I can think of (things have been very normal): I gave him a bath two days ago. I hadn’t given him one in about 2 months which is generally when I would give him one unless for some reason he got really dirty. He ate a little bit of cooked chicken yesterday with his kibble. Me and my partner had cooked chicken for dinner and we gave him a small amount (no bones, no skin, just a little bit of cut up chicken) mixed in with his kibble - I don’t think this is it because there is no indication of him being stomach sick (no throw up or diarrhea).

I’ll also note that there is no chance he may have gotten into medication. There isn’t any in the house other than some Tylenol in the top cupboard in our kitchen. No indication that he could have chewed up anything (not a chewer either) and the only thing he would be able to eat in our fenced in backyard is snow (which he routinely eats lots of).

I’m very confused and obviously my heart breaks when I see him in the slightest bit of discomfort. Any ideas on what could be going on here?

Me and him have been laying low this evening watching Our Planet. It’s a classic for both of us. He’s not near as lethargic as earlier today, but definitely not 100%.

I have a vet appointment for him tomorrow morning so I guess I will see then but just wondering if anyone else has had an experience like this.

submitted by /u/DogBoi1892
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from Pets https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/lq8wlz/dog_that_is_sensitive_to_touch_on_his_back/