Puppy yelps in pain when he wakes up.

[RowdyRoosMom]

I have a 4 1/2 month old puppy. Within the last week, he has been yelping when he wakes up. He has a very bewildered look and he will stretch out his neck and walk slowly for the first few minutes. After that, you would never know anything was wrong with him. He jumps, runs, plays and is totally fine. He is eating, drinking, peeing and pooping fine. It is only after sleeping. I have checked him out all over and can't find any sore spots anywhere on him. Could this be a pulled muscle and feels fine until he is in one spot while sleeping and it stiffens up. No limping, nothing. Any info would be great.

[lindsayanng]

He could have some kind of ligament or tendon tear or injury that gets really stiff and painful when he sleeps and wears off as he loosens up by being active through out the day..

It also could be early onset arthritis that my aunt and uncle;s dog had.. That will be a long road and really should be diagnosed as early as possible so you can treat it. Arthritis shows itself similar to that when its in the early stages.. it looks bad at first and throughout the day seems like its getting better.

With a 4 month old puppy, how are you exercising him? Walks, runs? playing int he house/yard??