re: lab side pain

Question
QUESTION: I have a 2 year old black lab female. Whom is exhibiting behavior that is not like her. First she was gagging, like shed been eating grass two days ago. Since then she will barely play catch, she walks to the stick rather than runs. Tonight I lightly stroked her side, when I got to her rear leg in the soft spot just forward of the upper thigh, she wined in pain. After reassuring her, I tried it again, with the same response.
She will drink water, and when given a treat, shell eat it.  She has only wants to lay down all day.
Im hoping this isn't a blocked colon, but rather a pulled muscle or something from playing.
We haven't noticed whether she is defecating, or not. Nor whether she is peeing. She is still friendly in nature, not warm to the touch, nor is her nose dry, she gives lots of licks to the face, but obviously isn't feeling good.
Can you help? we don't have a lot of money, I'm afraid of what a vet visit could do to our finances, but its our baby in pain here.
Thanks,
yaughn

ANSWER: I can't guess what might be wrong.  It really doesn't sound like a blockage to me.  All I can suggest is keeping a eye on her.  If she doesn't seem to get any better, you will have to take her to to the vet.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: At further inspection she has pulled or torn a muscle from playing too hard in one of her rear legs. What can we give her for the pain? She wants to play but walk rather than runs, and shell make a couple trips to get the stick/ball, then stops and has to wait for the pain to stop.

Answer
It might be better to let the pain limit her activity togive it a chance to heal.  Most of the OTC pain killers are bad for dogs.  The best thing is buffered aspirin, 5mg per pound of body weight.  A regular 325mg tablet is just right for 65 pounds dog.