Thursday, January 31, 2013

7 Signs That Your Dog Is In Pain

Photo via Freeloosedirt
Knowing when your dog is feeling pain is important to their health and quality of life. It's critical to be able to read your dog and know when something isn't quite right. Dogs can't speak human after all.

It's also an important skill to know if a dog is in pain when working in the field of veterinary medicine. It can be tricky with some dogs and easier with others to decide whether or not they are feeling painful and knowing exactly where the pain is coming from. Here are 7 symptoms of pain in dogs that can help you better identify what your pet is going through. 

Limping


This symptom is pretty straightforward. Dogs can limp for a variety of reasons, mostly all of them related to pain. As dogs get older, many will experience arthritis. Some other indications that your dog is experiencing pain from arthritis might be refusing to go up the stairs or slow to get up in the mornings. Stiffness is another sign of arthritis pain. Many people will say - "Oh he's just getting old." This may be true, but this does not mean that their dog can't feel pain just because they are old. There are ways to help dogs with arthritis and the signs shouldn't just be ignored or brushed away. 

Tummy Troubles


I'm sure eveyone knows that an upset stomach can hurt! Knowing if your dog's tummy is hurting isn't always the easiest thing to recognize. Excessive salivation is a good indication of nausea. I'm not talking about Fido's normal amount of drooliness. And of course there is always vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. These symptoms could mean your dog's tummy isn't feeling great. 

Vocalization 


Crying out in pain may be a dog's best way to communicate to people that something hurts. It's one of the closest things they have to speaking. Whining and whimpering for no apparent reason can be a sign of pain in your dog. Knowing where the pain is coming from can be the hard part in this case. If your dog cries out when a certain area is touched, it is more than likely painful in that area. 

Temperament & Behavior


Just like people, dogs can get grouchy if they aren't feeling up to par. A dog who is normally very friendly could become aggressive and even try to bite. Especially if they are touched in an area that hurts. Others may seek more attention from their people and seem more needy than usual. 

Other behavior changes like refusal to go up the stairs, not wanting to lower their head to eat or not jumping up onto furniture are big clues that you should be weary of. These symptoms can be key indicators of a neck or back injury. 

Photo via Hans Gotun

Loss of Appetite 


This symptom isn't one that many people would associate with pain. However, if a dog is hurting they are less likely to eat normally. Especially if they are experiencing oral discomfort. Would you want to eat if you had a toothache? Oral pain, among other things, is one cause for your dog to lose their appetite. 

Licking


If your dog is licking a localized area excessively, it could indicate that it hurts. Many dogs will lick their wounds, broken toe nails, sore paw pads, and other areas of the body that might be painful. It's not always  obvious that something hurts, but it is usually easy to tell that something isn't quite right when you catch your pup chewing and licking a certain spot. 

Panting


Did you know that panting is a sign of pain in dogs? Many dogs who are experiencing pain will pant excessively. Sometimes the panting is accompanied by trembling. This one can be tricky to spot since panting is a pretty normal thing for dogs. If your dog is panting at odd times - like the middle of the night - pay attention and look for other signs of pain. 

Photo via MRBECK

Now that you know how to identify pain in you pooch, be sure to get them some relief! A trip to the vet might be necessary if you think your dog isn't feeling well. There are lots of pain relief options available for dogs. Be sure to let your vet know if you think your dog is painful. 

Never give your dog over-the-counter pain relief medication without consulting a veterinarian first! Medications like Tylenol and Ibuprofen are extremely toxic to dogs and will do much more harm than good.

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226 comments:

  1. Those are really important points to keep an eye open for. We would never buy medication without checking first. Only medication we give is chicken N rice. Have a terrific Thursday.
    Best wishes Molly.

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    1. I think a little chicken N rice is probably OK :)

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    2. Hi my dog is 11 months and is playing and drinking fine but not really eating is crying every couple mins and her two lower nipples are swollen but she weeing and pooing fine ,could u help

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    3. Well, unfortunately those symptoms are extremely vague and it could be anything. She's a bit young for mastitis or pregnancy, but if she's not spayed yet get it done soon.

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    4. That sounds like breast cancer. My dog did the same and thats what it was. The vet took the tumor out, but cancer came back in her lungs 5 years later and she died. Get to a vet as soon as you can!

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  2. thanks for this important info! I never knew that panting was a sign of pain.

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    1. Yep! I think that is one symptom that people may be the least aware of.

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    2. Yep. My dog began to pant and pace in the middle of the night. It turned out to be kidney failure and he died.

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  3. Great post. Thanks for the insight into the pain our dogs may be suffering.

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    1. Thanks for reading - glad you liked it.

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    2. Hey my dog is panting darting he seems very week on his legs and isn't eating or drinking he is about 13 and I don't know what to do he hasn't eaten since about half ten and it's now 3

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    3. My dog is whining everytime she moves and i do not no why im scared so is my sisters and i wanna find out why she is whining

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  4. Thanks for sharing - good to know!!!

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  5. Great information, Ann - thanks

    One thing that Rodrigo did when he was in pain was stretch a lot - he was having tummy issues. It worked itself out, but it was something that I'd never seen or heard of before it happened.

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    1. That is pretty interesting. I don't think I've ever really heard of that one before. Thanks for sharing!

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    2. Yes, dogs will lay in odd positions when they are in pain.

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    3. My little chihuahua is doing the same thing ): I dont know what to do, I hope he turns out okay. But I can see in he's eyes how much pain he's experiencing.The same thing, tummy issues.

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    4. My male chihuahua had the same thing took him to the vet he had a bacterial infection gave him antibiotics hes doing great now

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  6. Good information. I hope I never need it!! Never. Ever.

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  7. This is a great post. Lots of information that is not commonly known.

    One more thing people need to understand is how breeding can impact how readily a dog shows pain. Some dogs are bred to be very tolerant of pain (sporting/working breeds)

    We think we missed a long-ago injury with Bella because while she yelped and limped a bit at home, she showed nothing to the vet. And since we didn't know her very well at the time, we didn't understand that she is just too fearful of strangers to show 'weakness'. We are paying for that miss today.

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    1. You are absolutely right Leslie. When dogs get to the vet, they hide their pain pretty well, which makes things more difficult. And some breeds are definitely more tolerant to pain than others.

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    2. I have a beagle terrior mix. He acted really sick at home and couldn't even get onto the couch so we brought him to the vet. He was perfectly fine at the vet.

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    3. Yes. My dog began experiencing some sort of discomfort over a year ago. I could tell because he could not get comfortable on the couch where he always sat next to me in the evenings. He started to go around in circles and circles before finally laying down and the getting up again a few minutes later and do it all over again. I took him to the vet the very next day. The vet gave him pain meds for pain that he didn't know what was causing it. Blood tests all came out normal. In the months that followed the pain worsened and the symptoms finally appeared. It was bladder cancer. Carcinoma. No cure. He died last Saturday.

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    4. I have a german shepherd who is 6 years old. Started limping a few months ago and when he gets up after lying down, the limp is very profuse. Had him at the vet twice now and he showed nothing there but as soon as he gets home, he limps. He is a poor eater and out of desperation I started feeding him by hand and he ate all his food. I dont want to start a bad behaviour by feeding him by hand but what else do I do? Should I stop? I have started him on pet glucosamine tablets and joint mobility feed.

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    5. My dog is really ill,once i filled her food bowl it was less than a quarter down and im afraid, she just wants to be near us and not move,i touched her paws she randomly grunts and she cried more and when she walks she cries and pant excessively and i dont know what to do

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    6. I hope you've taken your dog to the vet!

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  8. This is a very important thing to know! A lot of people never stop to think that naughty behavior might be because of something painful.

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  9. Really great post Ann...One question...It's often said that if you're dog eats grass they've got a stomach problem but all my dogs have enjoyed nibbling on fresh grass shoots when there's nothing wrong...is it just an old wive's tail

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    1. Thanks Gizmo! I think it might be true sometimes, but for the most part it seems like a lot of dogs like to do that even when they are fine.

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    2. i wonder about my dog eating tons of roots he actually digs and pulls them kut of the ground to eat would you possibly know why
      thanx in advance and great article!

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    3. It can be hard to say why exactly he's doing this... I've heard all kinds of things like maybe their is a deficiency in their diet to something called "pica" to obsessive compulsive behaviors. Or maybe he just likes the way they taste? Just make sure that he isn't eating anything toxic.

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    4. My dog for the past two days hasnt been limping but refusing to jump on the bed and when i try to help her get up and grab her front paws she whimpers. I looked on both front paws and nothing is on them. Maybe she had a stick poke her in the foot fro? my backyard? Im not sure... any explanations?

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  10. Great post Ann! I've passed it along to my fellow dog owners!

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  11. People should always listen to what their pets, they usually tell us when something is wrong. Thanks for the reminders.

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  12. This was really informative....I didn't know that panting could be a sign of pain. I know it's hard to detect when cats are in pain too. Katie in particular is very stoic. ...have to closely watch the signs. : )

    ~Glogirly

    P.S. ...regarding Waffles Too and the vet....it's crazy, but it's like a party when he's there. He's playing and exploring, super confident. They bring him around so everyone behind the scenes can get their Waffles-fix. He's like a social butterfly. Katie purrs at the vet too, but it's clear she's terrified. They could not BE more different. haha!

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    1. Oh, I know exactly both types of cats! We'd have cats come in that techs would be fighting to assist the doctor with (like Waffles) and then there would be cats who were a little mean (not that I blame them) and we would all make oursevles scarce hehe. Not really but there would be some moaning and groaning lol.

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  13. Great information, Ann :)

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  14. the panting point, and you saw trembling. If it looks like their teeth are chattering. Would that be pain? What else would that be a sign of?

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    1. Teeth chattering is another thing some dogs do when they hurt. It could also mean they are scared or anxious though I think.

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  15. Really great post. Our dog that passed had several of these symptoms and it's always helpful to know in advance.

    Oink oink,
    Katie and Coccolino the mini pig

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    1. Can some body help me I have a dog and she keeps whining for no reason?she been carrying around a toy for a couple days now.I can't take her to the vet cause I'm only 16.but I don't think something in side her is hurting though.but if some one can give me advice on what's wrong that would gladly be apperiated.

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  16. Those are all such good points. I think my dog Jasmine had them all and she was in kidney failure, so it is such a good idea to take the dog or cat to the vet. Take care.

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  17. Thanks for this excellent, informative post.

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  18. Thanks for the information. You really offer very helpful pet advice.

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  19. This is really good information. It's so important to recognize when your pet isn't feeling well because they can't tell us when they're hurting or where it hurts. Once you know the signs that your pet may be sick or in pain, it's easier to identify when your pet isn't feeling well and needs to see the vet.

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  20. My dog is acting weird i think there might be something wrong .. She keeps closing her eyes and wont keep them open. They are a bit blood shot but not cloudy or anything. She has a slight limp on and off its not consistent. Do you thing maybe closing her eyes is a sign of pain?. I e felt her everywhere i don't seem to get any reaction out her her other then her closing her eyes. Please help

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    1. It could be a sign of pain with the eyes. Keeping eyes closed is a symptom of eye pain. Maybe you can see if she's more willing to keep them open in a dark room. Bright lights could hurt the eyes if they are in pain.

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    2. Dogs can get headaches just like people. She could have a headache. I was told by my vet that they will often keep their eyes closed when they have one.

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  21. Wow thank you, there are many I did not know about... I will surely keep these in mind!

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  22. Super article. I do know about the panting, and licking, when a dog is in pain. Gracie has done both when she has broken one of her front nails below the quick. For a longggggg time this was happening about once every two months to the same nail, and she would lick the nail and pant like crazy when it would initially break again. Finally after several trips to the vet and trying different things the nail bed seems to have healed itself properly! Again thanks for all the reminders of symptoms to watch for.

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    1. Thanks :) That sounds like no fun for poor Gracie :( Glad it finally healed up!

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  23. Great article and I suspected the excessive panting as a sign of pain. What about continuous pacing? We do have pills for her arthritis and kidney issues and recently discovered that her dry dog food has a bad smell to it. She will rest for a small period of time then starts the pacing. We try to be patient with her especially as she also has gone deaf. She is a border collie Australian shepherd cross so doesn't whine/whimper too much.

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    1. Thank you! If she is an older dog, they sometimes can get a bit of dementia-like symptoms. The pacing could be related maybe. I do think pacing could also be a sign of pain though.

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  24. True, never give the pet over the counter meds if the vet has not been consulted yet.

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  25. My 13 year old miniature snauzer wanders around the house barking at nothing.he has lost most of his hearing but eyesight good. Vet did not find anything wrong. He eats fine no other sYmptoms of pain just acts weird.

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    1. He sounds like an older dog. If that's the case, those sot of thing can be common for senior pets. They start to sort of get dementia.

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    2. I have a 13 yr old terrier mix....he has recently started barking A LOT...and he is fine and then later in the evening he suddenly starts walking like he is lame and sort of whining...yips when i pet him like it hurts....then in the morning he is fine again....runs around the yard like a puppy!!! What could be up?

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    3. Well, that seems pretty interesting. As you probably know, it's hard to "diagnose" things without seeing a patient. This sounds like it could be a bit of dementia mixed with something else. He could be having arthritis pains that mostly show in the evenings. Some pets will yip when you pet them like you explain because they are having neck or back pain.

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  26. My dogs ripd part of his toe nail off was bleeding badly how can u tell if he is in pain? and what to give him?

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    1. Toe nails have a large blood supply so they always bleed a lot when that happens. Usually, if a dog does this it's pretty painful. A veterinarian could prescribe pain medications but I don't really have anything OTC I can recommend. Definitely do not give any human pain medicine!

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    2. I give all my dogs baby tylenol whenn they gt hurt and its always worked for them kuz i can't afford the vet but best believe my dogs have better liives than most humans and a long time ago when i could afford the vet he told me the only OTC human meds that would hurt a dog is aleeve cold & sinus!

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    3. All I can do is tell you that tylenol is extremely toxic to dogs and cats. I wouldn't be surprised if they experience liver failure later in life. They could possibly already be in liver failure due to it actually.

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  27. My havanese slipped slightly on the stairs today. He seems fine but I have noticed a pulsating site high above his front right leg that starts and then stops... he's not panting, etc. is walking fine just this very unusual but noticeable racing. Any ideas?

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    1. Hmmm the only thing that comes to mind when I read this is just a vein pulsing. Otherwise, I'm not sure what to think. Sorry it's not the best answer =/

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  28. My pug was trembling really bad when my husband picked her up she yelped but when I felt her up an down to see if we could pinpoint a spot she didn't yelp at all. But she doesn't want to lay down just sit up an if I call her she'll look like she's attempting to move but something stops her..its sunday an the vet is closed so I'm really worried. .

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    1. Hi Crystal - sorry your girl isn't feeling well today :( It does sound like she isn't feeling well just can't think of anything specific with the description you've given. Try to make her as comfortable as you can.

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  29. That's what I'm doing. I do notice when she gets comfy the trembling b yuan t starts again if she moves positions

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  30. I have a purebred yellow Lab, he is 13 years old. He drags his back feet when he walks, Pants all night long, struggles when he gets up from laying down. And paces the house all night long. I hand feed him because he seems to eat better.
    I am giving him Novox from the vet. the Vet says he has arthritis on his spine. But all his blood work is good. My dog still has his wits about him. He still gets his frisby to come outside and yells at me for a slice of cheese treat. And wants me to go to bed around 9 pm. (I am not kidding, he is like a person). I think he is in pain but not sure. sometimes i sleep with him on a mattress on the floor, because he cannot climb on the bed any more. I had him since he was 8 weeks old. I do not want him to suffer and i do not know if he is suffering because he is so alert and still acts like a puppy sometimes.

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    1. So sorry to hear this Eileen :( He does still sound energetic and happy from your description. If you don't think the Novox is helping enough, maybe the vet could give you something else to give? Sounds like you are doing all you can for him. I know it's not easy, I wish they could stay puppies forever.

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    2. Thanks Ann. I will take him to the Vet again and tell them how he is acting. They gave him Tramadol 50mg but he was really pacing, so I stopped. So now I just give him the Novox. He seems to sleep better when I take him for short walks. So maybe he just needs his legs stretched a little. I just don't want him to be in pain. Its hard to tell.

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    3. They are so good about hiding their pain from us sometimes. Some of the things I think about when talking about the dreaded euthanasia are if the pet is still eating well? Can he walk? Is it completely obvious that he is suffering? In your dog's case, I'm not sure if he's quite there yet.

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    4. I've got a 17 year old JRT and he thinks he's a puppy once outside! We give him Metacam and he does great. A little steroid as well. He was a puppy mill stud for 3 years before I knew what one was, and they wanted to "put him down" I bought him papers and all. Now he's a little achy. He love's outside though. Stairs are not his friend but once he's had his meds in the AM he's good to go for the day. Lots of warm bedding for his naps too. We have tramadol for literally rainy days, but so far so good. Thanks for the article Ann, did me good. Janet

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    5. Our 17 y/o JRT is the same way. As soon as he's outside PUPPYVILLE! He was a stud dog at a puppy mill before I knew what that was. I went to buy a companion for my other dog and he was 3 and they were going to "put him down" because they didn't like what he was producing? Yep, true story. I bought him for $150, the price to get him fixed. Papers and all. So he's a little achy to say the least. We give him Metacam and a little steroid in the AM and he's good to go for the day. Tramadol for "Rainy Days" literally. Lots of Warmed bedding and he's one happy dude! Thanks for the article Ann. I really never know when he's in pain, with the exception that lately he avoids stairs. Even one.

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  31. my dog suddenly gave out a few yelps then she started barking and wouldn't stop, she ran under the table and wouldnt come out to be comforted, do you think this was a sign she was in pain?

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    1. Hmmm sounds like it. Something might have happened suddenly that hurt, like a bug bite or someone stepped on a paw.

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  32. Great article! I, too,wasn't aware of panting being a sign of pain. My Siberian husky turns 14 next week and I think he has arthritis throughout his body..just my assumption anyway. He is slow to get up in the morning and is uncomfortable on steps. His appetite is perfect and he's still very happy and playful...but lately at night he cries and whines and barks. I'm sure it's because he's in pain. When you touch any part of him, except his head, he quivers. His blood work last month was perfect and his heart is strong. He's on 75mg of rimadyl. I know he's in pain but his playfulness outways his pain so I'm sure it's not his time to go. Just hate seeing him this way...breaks my heart

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    1. Hi Cheryl, thanks for stopping by and glad I could share this information with you. 14 is quite an accomplishment for a Husky :) Glad to hear that he is mostly healthy, but sorry about the arthritis :( It is heartbreaking to see our friends suffering from arthritis. Hopefully, his Rimadyl gives him some relief.

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  33. Hello. I have - well I think she's 15 years old - a dog with chronic osteoarthritis, and I have her on several different pain meds like Deramaxx and Gabapentin, and other oral meds like EZ Mobility, Zuke's Hip Action and Dasuquin, and I take her to see a chiropractor every week. But she's panting excessively, drooling and eating less. She's also very restless and can't get comfortable like before. She used to sleep all day. Now she can't stay still. We only started Deramaxx a week ago and that is when most of the above symptoms started. Is prolonged life worth a less than quality of life? I don't know what to do.

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    1. Sounds like you've got her on some good stuff Rod. And that's amazing that you take her to the chiropractor! Deramaxx is an NSAID that usually causes intestinal issues. It can cause vomiting and diarrhea. It's a possibility that it could be upsetting her stomach, so you might want to mention it to her doctor. Your question is an excellent one that is unfortunately so very hard to answer... I think there is a certain point where you just have to say enough is enough, but that's a decision that only the pet owner can make ultimately.

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  34. Great post! Very informative. I'll be sure to look out for signs. So far my 11 month old Poodle has never been sick (I hope she'll never be). I am feeding her Orijen and also make home cooked dog food every other day. The only time I heard her yelp was when my cat accidentally scratched her while they were playing lol

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    1. Thank you Josephine! I hope your girl will never be sick either :) sounds like you are taking care of her good.

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  35. We have an almost 8 year old German Shepherd who we adopted about 3.5 years ago. A little over a week ago I took him to the vet because his breathing pattern had been different (almost like he was struggling to breathe). Exam revealed that his dorsal lung sounds were clear but that his lateral lung sounds were really dull and almost absent. His heart rate varied between 90-180 bpm. X-ray revealed a pretty bad pleural effusion and EKG showed heart rate of 240 and possible A-fib (the vet said the EKG may not have been totally accurate since he had so much fluid around his lungs and heart). Vet suggested taking him for an echocardiogram and starting Lasix. I left the vet with 5 days of Lasix (vet said that was enough time to decide what the next would be). On day 4 of the Lasix my husband and I decided to not do the echo an wait for other signs/symptoms of pain or discomfort. Our GSD has been eating fine (we now had to add wet food in with the dry food though), he has been peeing/pooping fine (even post Lasix), still LOVES to go for car rides or walks (although walks do make him breathe harder when we get home...we only do short trips around the block), he still likes to play with his toys, and he loves to be petted still. Recently he has started to cough (occasionally) and his breathing has not improved. He has been doing more open mouth breathing but is still (for the most part) acting the same. We are contemplating putting him down but are struggling with the idea since he still seems do happy most of the time. Any thoughts or ideas?

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    1. Hey Chandra, sounds like he's got something pretty serious going on, unfortunately. Perhaps something that is going to need a lot of treatment for him to get better. I can understand why you don't want to put him down because he does still sound content somewhat. A lot of times, when they lose all interest in food you know that it is definitely time. If you don't want to go forward with treatment for a condition like this, you may want to consider euthanasia. But I understand the choice is difficult. So sorry to hear about GSD, but glad he found a nice home as a senior dog.

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  36. have a black lab that's about 14.up until a month ago despite her age , she ran up and down the steps and played like a puppy. now almost overnight she has a hard time doing the steps...she has lost almost all interest in food...has lost a lot of weight...and its like she cant bark anymore...things that would always make her bark like when someone rings the doorbell now just gets a look like she wants to bark but cant...

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    1. Sorry to hear this Buddy. I wonder what could have happened to make her feel bad? There are just too many things to consider in this situation. It's probably best to have a vet check her out...

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  37. Our 13 year old Australian Cattle Dog has bladder cancer. He had surgery and is taking piroxicam. Is there anything more we can treat him with?

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    1. Hmmm there might be something. Maybe you can ask your vet about it? Tramadol can usually be given safely with other drugs, but you can only get it from your vet. Hope he feels better soon, bladder cancer is no fun :(

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  38. Hi I have an 18 month old English Bull Terrier since yesterday he's been whining a lot and can't walk upstairs he now seems to be in pain lying down and won't get up as he seems to be hard work for him, I am really worried because I can't even think of a time when he'shurt himself. He's really grouchy and growls when I go near him as if he's telling me go away I judjust don't know what to do.

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    1. It could be all kinds of things, so it's hard to pinpoint what it is exactly from your description. But, a lot of times injuries like the one you describe can be related to neck pain or back pain. If he's hesitant about moving his neck around or having people touch him, it could be an issue. Taking him to the vet could help and perhaps they could get him some medicine.

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  39. Thank you so much......I now know that my dog is, as suspected, in pain and I can respond accordingly!!

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  40. Hello i have a 13 yr old Weimer that i am considering putting to sleep. She has a rugby ball size fatty lump under her front leg which is pushing her leg out. She limps and shuffles around and uf she stands still it just slips. She pants excessively and random times. She looks uncomfortable. She cant lie down and can only sleep in a chair. She has difficulty going to the toilet she cant coupe down cus of the lump so just scoots along, sometimes she dosnt do a full wee then comes inside to finish off. She finds it difficult to get outside so stresses about the step. Im desperate for advice, shes struggling. Thanku

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  41. Hi Sami, so sorry to hear about your girl. The lump may not be cancerous but when they get that big, it can really limit their mobility and make it hard to get around. It sounds like she's got some other stuff going on to. The decision to put a loved pet down is never easy, but you have to consider their quality of life and know that the choice you make is for the best. Whatever that choice may be.

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    1. Thankyou for your quick response.. The lump isnt cancerous and she has many more of them but they dont interfere with her mobility. She looks uncomfortable but do you think she could be in pain because of the panting? She sometimes pants in the middle of the night. She has been a wonderful pet and im dreading the day i have to end her life but i have to do whats best for her..

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    2. Well, panting is a sign of pain or discomfort even. It can also be a symptom of other conditions, usually affecting the respiratory system, or a side effect of some drugs.

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  42. Shes not on any drugs. Thanku for your advice. I will take her to the vets. Many thanks :)

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    1. I think taking her to the vet is the best idea. It's hard to completely understand what's going on with a pet without actually looking at them and examining them. Hope your able to find some answers for her.

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  43. I have a 10 month old puppy who was limping
    On his back paw. When touching it he didn't show any signs of pain. We had him at the vet and they gave him an anti inflammatory. Now all he is doing is sleeping and drooling a lot and wont climb stairs. What could be wtong?

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    1. It's hard to say without examining him. Young dogs can commonly injure themselves playing. One common injury in the hind legs is a torn ACL. I can't say that's wrong with your puppy though, since I've never seen him. The medicine may be making him act that way too. You should keep him rested and probably not let him climb the stairs for a few weeks. I know that's probably easier said than done though!

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  44. My yorki seems to be quite unconfortable and is constantly licking near her rear or tail area. When examining that area for skin irritation, I can't really see anything wrong. She has been packing alot lately . What do you advise,


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  45. Well, sometimes dogs will do this when their anal glands are full. Maybe you should try checking to see if hers need to be expressed.

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  46. We have 7 year old mastiff who most likely has a bone tumor on his right front wrist. He has had an xray about 1month ago and the vet said. NO but that he has seen many times where there is nothing and then a month later it there. He gets cortisone injection every two weeks and 4 enteric coated aspirin daily.

    I caught him licking his leg once but that was it. On top of all that, since he shuffles his hind legs when he walks he has managed to tear off some of his toe nail and the quicknis exposed. I am not sure if the moaning and beavy sighing is due to one or the other.

    Also, last week he was urinating and a blod came out. Vet did urinalysis but said there was blood still present but that there were no WBC??

    He is still eating and drinking and going to the bathroom.

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    1. First, please double check that it's OK for your dog to be taking aspirin along with a steroid. Usually, taking the two are contraindicated. It's usually not normal for dogs to drag their rear legs. It can be a sign of some sort of neurological issue in most cases. I'm not sure what to think of the bloody urine... it could be a sign of infection, but then again there are no WBC present. Your vet could always do a urine culture if they haven't already. Dogs can also get bladder cancer, unfortunately. Sorry to hear that he's having these issues, I hope he can start to feeling better soon.

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  47. Great info! I too am a former veterinary technician! I just learned of your blog via The Lazy Pit Bull, and I look forward to reading so much more!

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    1. Hi Rachel, nice to "meet" another vet tech! Thank you for visiting!

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  48. I have a 7.5 year old pug. Last night he started panting a lot and pacing, he will lay down for just a minute and then back up to the pacing and panting. He has had 3 seizures that I know of in the last year and a half any idea why he is pacing and panting

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    1. Well, the symptoms are what I might call vague... it could be due to any number of reasons. I think the best thing for him would be to have an exam. Maybe he is uncomfortable for some reason?

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  49. I have a 2 year old chihuahua that I rescued about 5 months ago. I've noticed when he is outside "running" around, he often hops and favors his hind legs (I believe he alternates which one). In the past couple of days he has screamed while pooping. He has done this before every once or twice but isn't a regular occurrence. Could the two be related? Either stomach problems causing both or back leg/hip pain hurting while he goes to the bathroom? He doesn't necessarily act like he is in pain when he's favoring his leg so I can't tell if he's just doing a "skip" or if something is hurting him.

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    1. This sounds like a classic case of a "floating patella". The patella or knee cap moves out of place some when a dog walks. It's very common in small dogs like chihuahuas. For some dogs, it's not an issue and doesn't cause them any pain. In other dogs, it can be uncomfortable and it sounds like it may be for your dog. There is a surgical option to correct this.

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  50. Hi my dog has been acting strange today he has been sick and is now heavily panting he hasnt eaten anything all day and his tummy is making funny noises, he is now digging at the carpet which he normally does to get comfy but this time seems weird what is wrong with him as normally when he has an upset tummy he eventually settles down I don't think we can get a vets until tomorrow can you help please will he be ok thanks

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    1. Hi thanks for commenting, sorry to hear that your dog is sick. These symptoms are all very vague, meaning they could belong to any disease process really. Ranging in severity, he could have just have eaten something that upset his stomach or he could have bloat which is a medical emergency. I'm sorry I can be more helpful. I'd need more information really like breed, sex (altered or not), age, etc. to have a better idea but even then I don't think I would be much help in this case. Hope it's nothing severe but if you become concerned tonight, please look into an emergency veterinary hospital for him.

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  51. My 15 year miniature schnauzer was diagnosed with bladder cancer back in September 2013. The vet states that surgery will not help. I have given her Tramadol for pain and Piroxicam to shrink the tumor. These did not work. She is now urinating about every 30 minutes. I have pads all over the floor for her to use during the night. She is now peeing blood and the vet states this is the tumor bleeding. The vet states it is nothing more she can do. She still eats and drinks normally. I don't want to wait until she can not function at all before I make the decision to put her down. I am afraid to let her go, cause it might be soon, but I hate to see her in pain when she trying to urinate and nothing is coming out. She is also urinating in her bed when she sleeps.

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  52. Cancer is a horrible disease... so sorry you have to deal with and that your dog has to deal with this. Both of those medications are very good for pain in dogs. The only other drug I can think of to stop inflammation of tumors is steroids (prednisone), but that's probably not going to do much, if anything, honestly.... It will be hard to make the final decision for her, but just know that you are going to be helping her and your decision will be in her best interest.

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  53. We have a four year old German Shepherd who was the runt of the litter. She is panting most of the time and although we are currently having a heat wave (over 40c) we do have air-conditioning for her to keep cool. She is constantly licking all four legs and the vet says she has a touch of arthritis but has prescribed no pain killers. She has put on weighjt and we are slowly getting it off her but as she still likes eating it is difficult. She would do back flips to clean the cat's dish out if she could. Do not want her to be in pain so we don't know if we would be premature. What suggestions do you have? Also, love the sight and offers a huge range of information.

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    1. Hey, thanks for visiting! If her arthritis is only mild, you may look into a joint supplement for her as it could help a little bit. Also, keeping her slim and trim is one of the best things you can do for her. It's a big cause for joint pain and arthritis. I know it's hard when they just want to eat all of the time, but you can maybe try offering fresh carrots, celery, green beans, or other veggies that she will eat. They will keep her tummy full without all of the calories.

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  54. I have just adopted an old Westie from a rescue. I fostered him for about a month. During that time he trembled and panted, but it seemed to be more from stress than pain. Eventually the trembling and panting subsided. His appetite was not great, he wouldn't eat the minimum amount for his weight range. He is deaf and is developing cataracts. He can't go up stairs at all and if he tries to go down more than 2-3 stairs he loses his balance and falls. He has pretty terrible balance and falls off furniture. I have a ramp so he can get on the couch, but sometimes he tips over trying to come up. I do carry him up and down stairs.

    In the last few days he has started being fussy more than usual. He usually fussed if he needed to go out (his house training is impeccable) or if he wanted attention or on the couch. However he has suddenly continued to fuss after I have taken him out, fed him, offered him toys, and lifted him onto the couch. He doesn't fuss on the couch, he just leaves the couch and whines at me. He has always whined, never barked when he wants something.

    I honestly don't know if he is in pain or not. I haven't had him long enough to know what is actually normal for him. Should I worry? Or take him to the vet? Contact the vet from the rescue? I took him to the vet at the rescue before I finalized the adoption. She thought the balance was probably age and the cataracts making it hard for him to see the edge of things. I don't want him in pain, but I don't know what my first steps should be.

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    1. Well, good for you trying to make him comfy for his senior years! But sorry to hear he's a little off lately. The balance issue can sometimes be because of something called old dog vestibular disease. Also, some of the things you mention here make me think of Canine Cognitive Disorder as well. It's basically dementia for older dogs. I would talk to your veterinarian about these two things and see if he can recommend anything for you. For the vestibular disease, vets sometimes recommend dramamine which is an over the counter drug.

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  55. I hope you can help. I have a 4 year old Maltese who was acting perfectly fine today. We left her in our backyard for a few hours with our other two puppies (which are hers) they are 5 months old. When we went to call them in Abby didn't come as usual. My husband found her laying down but she wouldn't come. She can walk but walks slow. Will look up quickly when you call but otherwise just is extremely disinterested in everything. She won't eat or even come from a treat which is totally out of character. I tried feeling her all over to see if she maybe was bit or hurt something but she doesn't exhibit any signs of pain (ie wincing, crying or pulling back). Any idea what it could be? She hasn't thrown up but won't even come to us when we call and tried to jump onto the couch but is either too weak or doesn't have the energy. I'm really worried.

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    1. Hmmm the symptoms you describe are general "I don't feel good" signs. What the exact issue is would be hard to determine without looking at her. But, if she is hesitant to jump or move around, she could have a hurt back. Sorry I don't have many answers for you, but I hope that she is feeling better soon.

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  56. My pit seem to be in some kind of pain... I woke up around 9am and new right away that some thing was not right wit diesel.. every time I would try to play or move him he crys also he is very active and plays very rough wit me but not today ..all day he just layed on my bed and keep he's ears back when I talk to him. I try pressing my and rubbing my hand over his body, legs, paws, stomic, neck etc but get no reaction from him it's only when I try to move or play with him he crys. I finally found a vet that I can afford I made the only apt they had tomorrow at 3:00 but am very worried. What can it be were is the pain is this pain coming from.

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    1. Sorry I didn't reply earlier and that your pup isn't feeling himself. Unfortunately, I don't think I could have given you the answer that you are looking for :( It is hard to tell what is wrong with a dog without looking at them. And even then, it is not always easy. I hope that your vet was able to get him some relief and find a solution to the problem. Feel better soon Diesel!

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  57. What about a dog moaning at an older age ? Is this typical of them getting older? My boy (Boxador) just turned 10 and gets around fine but he moans when lies down and when he shifts himself while he is lying down. This has been going on for awhile now and my vet never said he was showing any symptoms of pain just wanted to get another opinion based on your experience.

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  58. My German shepherd female is 6 yrs old now. She started panting about 5 weeks ago really bad. She didn't eat much as well. We took her to the vet he said she had a high temperature and kept her overnight. She cam home all bouncy and feeling good, we have other 2 dogs at home, a husky who is 2yrs and her brother German shepherd 6 yrs both males. The vet gave some tablets to give her every day, and some powder to sprinkle over her food. However the panting has not stopped! What could this be?

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  59. hey , I have a Maltese poodle. normally when I come home from work my puppy is real happy too see me she runs back and forward wanting me to play with her. yesterday when I got home she wasn't the same she was under the table. when I grab her I lay her on the couch too see what's going on with her she's makes a sound like if she's in pain. how can I find out where's the pain coming from???? thank u

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    1. Well, from the description of her symptoms it would be hard for me to tell you what's wrong with her. But it does sound like she's not acting her normal self. Common places for pain might be her abdomen or back/neck. You can try poking around on her but you have to be careful for her sake and yours. The best option would be to have a veterinarian examine her so they can pinpoint what exactly is going on.

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  60. thank u so much for the information. thank u for u rapid response.

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  61. The fact that panting is a sign of pain was important to me. Thank you.

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  62. Hello! I found your article helpful but I still have a question? My 11 year old female shih tzu has been trembling and panting most of the day. Pearl has a collapsed treachea and history of bladder stones (she's been on a special diet for 2 yrs now) She is also very anxious... she is by temperment but is hyperanxious today. I have felt her all over...no reaction. She usually eats everything given her in 3 seconds or less... but today she ate 1/4 of what I always feed her in the a.m. I haven't given her any more food yet... wondering if I should. I add water to her food so that she can swallow it more easily and also get her to drink more. I am in the process of changing vets. I have a Tues a.m appt. for her (first I could get) The new vet said if she gets worse or up chucks etc. they would work her in... I am watching her closely and know she is uncomfortable. Would do you recommend... Thankx Maggie B

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  63. My Lhasa hurt her back and the doctor put her on steroids and pain meds, she has been doing a lot of panting ...more that usual. so this is good to know. Thank you1!!

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  64. Hello Ann Staub..!!
    It jus happening with a street dog which will roam around our home for food. My mom usually give some food regularly to that dog. But now it was facing the same symptoms and itz yelping very heavily infront of our door. We are unable to see that dog in such a situation, and we are unable to take it to a vet as it was a street dog (difficult to handle). Please please give me a solution or suggest some medicine and when it will recover ? Is it possible to recover ?
    A big thank you for info.. Plz rply me soon... please please please

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    1. Hi Divya, I wish I could be of more help to you but unfortunately those symptoms are too vague for me to tell what the problem might be. Maybe he is just hungry and whining for food or wants to come inside? That is the best case scenario. I don't know if there is an animal control where you live, but sometimes people can come take the dog. I would not give the dog any medication that is meant for people. Human pain medication is toxic to dogs. For now, maybe you can just make him comfortable with food and a soft place to rest.

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    2. Thanq for ur reply..!! He is not hungry and he don't wanna come inside. I gave some food but it was not eating. It was yelping out of pain..!! It slept under my car..!!! :( Anyway I vil provide some soft place.

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    3. No problem Divya... so sorry I can't suggest anything better :( Just be careful with him. He may not mean to harm you, but injured dogs certainly could hurt you if you try to mess with them. Best of luck to you and him.

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  65. Hi, pittbull lover here, I'm very worried about my 14 year old pittbull , she has a few extra pounds but notto much she has recently developed a fear of going down the steps and jumping off the bed, she does seem to pant more then usual but iI thought it was because I keep it extra hot in here as I am a freeze baby and my pitty jasmine is also, in fact she takes my heating pad from she likes to argue with me for it which by the way she always wins :-) I have rubbed her all over and sge doesnt respond except when I rub her neck but she just lifts her head abd closes her eyes like it feels good, she also has a ear infection and sinus infection that just refuses to go away, half of her nose is completely dried out and scaly from it, but nothing seems to work for her, but she still eats VERY WELL, and drinks plenty of fluids, please help, ohh abd she still plays sometimes also as her adopted pug puppy keeps her going. Please help. ANGELA.

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    1. Hi Angela, sound like maybe she has some arthritis? Even just a few extra pounds on a dog or cat can really mean a lot. One of the best ways to help with arthritis is to keep them slim and trim. My pibbles loves to be warm as well. :) I think you're doing a good thing with the massages. Have you ever considered trying a ramp or some stairs up to your bed? That could make it easier for her to get up and down from. You might also talk to your vet about some sort of joint pain relief for her.

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  66. Hi, I have an 8 year old american bulldog who is acting strange. Last night she had a slight bloody discharge from her vulva but no more since but she has been crying,panting and shivering today on and off. Tonight we went out for dinner and came back to destroyed bed linen and more panting and crying. She is eating fine and wagging her tail she has calmed down now. She is not spayed and lost her male companion (half brother) 3 months ago but there is another dog in the house. She has recently injured her leg but doesnt seem to bother her much. she is not in season or due in season for at least 3 months any ideas.

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    1. Hi Nyree, the first thing I think of when you tell me she is not spayed is pyometra. It's very common, especially in older female dogs who are not spayed. It's a serious and life threatening condition when the uterus essentially becomes infected and filled with pus. The word pyometra itself means "pus in the uterus". You should seek a veterinarian's advice for this. She may require emergency surgery if this is her problem. But it very well may not be the issue.

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  67. Hello...my small 15 lb. mix is about 9 years old. This last week his eyes have been watery and they are red where the whites of the eye are. And he keeps his mouth open like he can't breathe, but his tongue does not show. I put him on benedryl and the drooping eyes got back to normal, but the mouth is still open. Any ideas? He doesn't seem to play like usual and I see no dental problem signs from what I can tell. thanks he's going to Vet tomorrow though.

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    1. Hey there, good thing he is going to the vet tomorrow! The red eyes could be any number of things really. It's best to have the vet take a look because eye problems can progress quickly if not treated early on. The mouth thing sounds a bit odd to me... I've seen some dogs with jaw problems before, but it's not too common. Not sure if the mouth and eyes are related. Definitely something your vet will need to look at! Sorry I can't give you a better answer =/

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  68. Hello there, I'm trying to find out what is going on with my girl, Heaven. Seemingly, overnight she can't get up, and her two back legs seem dead, and she drags them, but with help, she can get up. I can't even get her to get up to go outside to potty. When I do help her up, she growls at me as if it hurts. It's breaking my heart, I know she is somewhat overweight, and she has been on less food for months now, but she is also 8 years old. Could she possibly have arthritis? She used to run and catch frisbees when she was younger, and she still likes her chew toys, still barks too, so her mind is still there. I honestly am at a loss because I cannot afford to take her to a vet at the moment, I can barely afford food for us, but I hate seeing her suffering and in pain. Any suggestions? Thank you. Jules

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    1. Hey Jules, yes she definitely could have arthritis at that age. Especially if she is a little overweight. One of the best ways to keep our dogs from getting arthritis is to make sure they are trim. Even just a few extra pounds on a dog can really add up. What concerns me the most is the dragging of the legs that you mention. Sometimes, this can be associated with neurological problems. Something a veterinarian should really take a look at.

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  69. We have a 3-yr old spayed cocker spaniel. Early this morning she woke us up crying. I tried to move her slightly and more crying. After about 15 mins, she walked to us but cried. She allows us to massage her all over. But cries when move. And she was panting. After about 1 hr, she walks fine but doesn't want to roll over. Panting more than normal but less than before. Eyes focus fine. She is lethargic. Will drink water a bit. Ate a couple bits of kibble (is usually an avid eater). Seems to enjoy beeing massaged.

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    1. Hey Donna, sorry to hear about your dog. It does sound like she's painful, but the problem is finding out where and what exactly the problem is. I'd try to make her comfortable like you're doing until you can take her to the vet. Don't allow her to jump or run too hard for now in case it's some sort of back injury.

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  70. I have a 14 year old lurcher who has been diagnosed with cancer. Please help me know how I can tell if she is in pain.The vet gave me MELOXIDYL..

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  71. I have a 13 year old golden retriever who had a slight stroke 5 days ago. the vet gave him a steroid injection and ended up going for two more, on the last visit she suggested heart tablets due to him coughing and panting alot. One is a tiny tablet furosemide and the other vetmedin.
    hes had one vetmedin and 3 furosemide and his breathing his alot worse. Hes panting, not eating and i have to fair coax him to drink. He looks so sad and not his old self.
    The vet asked me to take him again today and she would give him a higher does of his medication to kick start it but i am reluctant to allow this as he seems so much worse since starting this.

    I am actually dreading going today as i think it maybe his time as he seems to have given up and i don't want to think of him in pain and suffering :(

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    1. Hey Julie, unfortunately it sounds like congestive heart failure, and it seems that is what your vet thinks too as he's giving him these types of medications. If it is heart failure, those medicines are only going to help and I definitely would not stop giving them. Depending on how bad it is, they may not be able completely fix him... it's horrible that you have to go through something like this. I'm so sorry.

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  72. We have a 10 year old Chihuahua and have taken him to the vet several times over the past 4 years with inconclusive results. He has the patella problem but in a way that doesn't seem to bother him. Something is wrong though as he'll be fine for a few days and then all the sudden act very strange, can't sit still, wants to hide, pants, or wants to be on your lap and then immediately want off. He's had x-rays and blood work, nothing came up. During his episodes I've tried to feel around for what might be bothering him but he doesn't flinch or yelp (which he normally would if something pained him). Of course he acts fine for the vet, but at home it can seem like an urgent situation. Do we have a bad vet or can something like this be really hard to diagnose?

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    1. It does sound interesting, and I've seen plenty of things were a diagnosis is difficult to come up with. They were all very similar to what you've described to. What about a urinalysis? Maybe his sense of urgency is related to something with his urinary tract. Another thing that comes to mind that you might want to ask is is this a behavioral issue? When medical diagnostics can't seem to find the answer, it may be time to look at behavioral problems. Perhaps there is something going on that makes him uneasy or anxious during these episodes? Of course, behavioral problems can be hard to pinpoint as well.

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  73. This is a strange one: My miniature schnauzer is approx. 7 years old (he's a rescue without a past). He is, for the most part, behaving normally -- eating, peeing, pooping, etc. -- except he's suddenly sitting or laying down in the strangest places.

    Yesterday afternoon, he laid down in the middle of the dog park. Not under a shady bench or tree... in the middle. There was a tiny tremor in his belly area, so I thought he was having tummy issues. Palpating the area generated zero reaction.

    Later on, he seemed to be having trouble sitting: he'd sit then stand a bit and shift around and almost scoot himself backward while still sitting. I palpated his belly again, as well as his back, legs and rump area and there wasn't much of a reaction that was out of the ordinary.

    This morning I let him out for a pee and he lay down on the deck. When he thought he spotted a squirrel or bird & leapt off the deck to flush it out ... then afterwards, he walked to the middle of the yard and sat down. Then stood up... and sat down again. He didn't try to sniff around, he didn't try to do his normal morning yard-business. He just sat there for several minutes. Staring at me (like that's not unsettling).

    When I walked out to him, he just sat and waited for my approach. When I asked if he wanted to come in, he jumped up and followed me inside. So there's a bit of a mixed message going on!

    Took him out for a walk and he was normal. No limp, not favouring one side or the other. His appetite seems the same, his mobility seems the same... but the random sitting thing is freaking me out, especially since I know they can and will hide their pain. My previous schnauzer had bone cancer in his back legs and was in pain for ages before it became apparent he was suffering. While I'm hoping he just pulled something while doing his regular leaping-about thing, I don't want to miss the signs this time around, too.

    At what point do I need to worry enough to take him to the vet for them to look over? Especially since coming in with the symptom of "he's sitting down a lot and in strange places" sounds like the worst kind of helicopter dog parenting nonsense ever!

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    1. Wow Shannon, you are right - this is a strange one! I'm really at a loss... I think using your best judgment about visiting the vet is a good idea. Loss of appetite, loss of energy, diarrhea or constipation, vomitting... these of course are all signs you should visit the vet. I'm not sure how long the sitting thing has been going on, but if it goes on longer than your comfortable with I think a trip to the vet would be fine. Of course, vets do get a lot of strange things like this and many times an answer isn't found the first time when it's not something obvious.

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  74. I am desperate. My dog has had diarrhea for weeks now & occasional vomiting. Took him to the vet & he was put on antibiotics, anti nausea, etc. He shows no signs of pain, has his usual appetite, & is the happy, energetic dog he always was. He has been on a strict diet of boiled chicken & white rice. I have done everything I could. What could this be? Could he still have an obstruction with no signs of pain?! Please help, I am desperate!! It pains me that he can't poop normal!!

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    1. Hi Lauren, sorry to hear about your dog :( I'm not sure what the problem is but a few things come to mind. The first one being Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) which is common in German Shepherds. To diagnose, your dog would need special tests from the vet. Another thing that comes to mind is Giardia, which can be rather hard to get rid of sometimes. It is an intestinal protozoal parasite. I'm not convinced it's an obstruction because dogs generally will get fever and be VERY sick when that happens. So just some ideas for you, but I could be completely wrong of course. I hope this helps and I hope you find some answers soon.

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  75. yesterday has been a very rough day for my dog i have a yellow lab and in the morning she didnt wake me up like she usually does to go out. her ears and her nose were ice cold and she was shivering i covered her with a blanket and after a bit the temp in her ears and nose came back to normal and wasnt shaking so much, later she was laying down and i hear her moaning like you had mentioned just out of nowhere so now im getting worried at this point and i called her up onto the bed to check her out she got her front two paws up onto the bed and out it came she yalped as if someone stepped on her, anyways she hasnt been limping at all and i checked her paws and all that to see if i could find a problem externally and found nothing, later i took her out to go pottie and she squated as if she were going to and didnt release any urine, later this evening she started shaking again in more of a way as one with some hiccups she has been just laying on the floor looking at me she has had some short naps but not very long ones im so worried about her right now and i have complications at the moment with transportation or being able to leave my house at the moment is this a sign of something internally not working or quiting on her???? please help im soooo worried

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  76. hi yesterday morning i awoke to find my baby girl Molly who is a 5 year old yellow lab shaking and shivering and the inside of her ears were ice cold as well as her nose i warmed her up i figured she might just been cold. anyways she went outside did her morning bussiness but did not want any part of her morning meal, later in the day i called her up on my bed and she got her front two paws up and yalped in pain as if either she moved a way that caused it, she then kinda nudged the rest of herself on the bed slowly but when i took her out to pee a little later she squated as if she was going to but didnt pee, later last evening she would take small naps and then like look around the room and look at me then look around the room, and finally she let out a few random moans as she was just laying there, any help would be so great im sure worried bout my pretty lady, and am kinda restricted to my house currently so should i try to find somebody to take her to the vet i really would want to go if i were to take her to the vet but im unable to leave my house,

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    1. Hi Joe, I'd recommend getting a digital thermometer and taking her temperature. A normal temperature for her should be anywhere from 99.5 to 102.5. You can take her temperature rectally (in the butt). When you say she is trying to pee, but can't it does concern me that she could have some bladder issues. It's hard to say what exactly without some tests or an exam, but possibilities include a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, or even bladder cancer. I hope she feels better soon.

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  77. I have a Shepard lab mix who was a rescue. The shelter said he was 5-7 years old when he picked us. That was 8 years ago. We have very recently moved and he went from being a run free on the farm in the valley dog to an inside with walks to potty and two longer walks a day city dog.
    Be he is not adjusting well. Pants very heavy all the time..In an house with AC. Appetite has dropped way off; but so has activity. He cannot seem to control his bladder very well and urine smell is OUT Of THIS WORLD.
    He hates the steps and is showing more signs of pain than I realized. We are 10 hours from our home vet, just moved a few weeks ago.....HELP!

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  78. My dogod cant lie down as soon as he does he kinda gags and then stands up but his legs are week so he struggles he keeps panting and darting he won't eat or drink or sleep and I dno what to do

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  79. My dog is a rottweiler but she was the runt of the litter and is quite small (only 65 lbs) - but this evening we noticed she is not putting weight on her back right paw - she's limping but when we examine the leg and foot she shows no sign of pain or discomfort and she's sleeping fine - i'm looking right at her now crashed on the sofa - she's not been panting or anything else - i wonder if she just pulled something? do you think we should watch it for a day or two or take her to the vet right away??

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    1. Hey Hopey, it could just be a soft tissue injury meaning she sprained something. Sounds unlikely that anything is broken. Restrict her activity, meaning no jumping or running and go outside only on a leash. It's possible she could have torn her ACL, which can be very bad and require surgery. If it's only a partial tear right now, limiting her activity will help ensure that it does not become a full tear.

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  80. Our 8 year old German Shepherd/Golden Retriever mix was just diagnosed with bone cancer. :( His tumor is in the hind leg right tibia and is pretty large. He completely stopped putting weight on his leg about 2 weeks ago. Chest x-rays have revealed that the cancer has already metastasized to his lungs. We have decided against amputation and chemotherapy, knowing that even with those, his time with us is very limited. We are doing palliative care (pain meds Rimadyl and Tramadol throughout the day). We know we will have to put him down soon...but it is hard to know when the time is right. He is still eating and drinking fine, but moves very slowly on 3 limbs and seems pretty uncomfortable most of the time, even with the pain meds. Some days are better than others. How do I know for sure that it is "his time"?

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    1. Well, it's a tough question that I don't really have an exact answer for. You know your dog best, and will usually just know... even though it may be hard to admit. For me personally, I would ask questions like "is he still eating well?" Not wanting to eat anything is a good sign that it may be time. Also, can he still get up to use the restroom OK? Does he seem completely out of it? Ask yourself these questions and use your own judgment. He's your best friend and you know him better than anyone else.

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  81. Hi Ann!

    I was a Licensed Vet Tech for 6 years. Honestly, I couldn't stand treating animals, when I couldn't explain what I was doing to them--to them. It broke my heart on a daily basis.

    I am now an RN working in an ambulatory surgery center (for people) lol-- at least I can explain to them why they are hurting, why the treatment hurts--

    Anywhoo-- I have a female Siberian Husky- beautiful girl! Red & white with ice blue eyes. She is overweight--about 75lbs--and rarely cares about food. She has actually been that way all her life. I've had her since 6 weeks of age.

    Everynight, when I get home from work, we walk 25 min or so, and on the weekends we walk the park, and she swims in the river for about 5 min, or we go to the dog park.

    She normally 'talks" Whoo whoo--I love my momma--etc..and she still does, but for the last 2 months, she has been crying when she lays down. Only when she lays down. Not when getting up, or even jumping iup n the car.

    I started her on Tramadol 50mg BID about one month ago, and Meloxicam 7.5mg QD. Glucosamine 1500mg QD,

    She seems so much better! Like an 8 year old, running playing for about 15-20 min--but has started getting up, panting, pacing around 12:00am. I try to calm her, even lay on the floor with her, rubbing her until she goes to sleep. Then repeat at 1:30 am, and 4:00 am.

    She no doubt has pain in her hips. She loves it when I lay in her bed with her, and hold a heating pad on her hips.

    OMG--I need sleep. For the last month I have had such broken sleep with her, and I am working 9 hour shifts. Her next vet appt is 09/04.

    What can I do until then? Maybe add Gabapentin at night for sleep? If so, I've heard the dog dose is 10mg/lb?

    Please help me, help her...get to her vet appt next Thursday.

    --Cindi

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  82. Hi my 6 year old pekingese is shivering a lot, he isn't eating, he yelps when you pick him up, and hasn't pooped much the last few days. When we put him in the bath and let him soak for a little while he let us touch him and didn't yelp and he didn't shiver. He even ate a little but an hour later he was shivering and yelping if we walked to close to him. Ill take any advice the vet isn't open until monday. thank you

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    1. Hey Tylisha sorry to hear that... Since he isn't pooping much he could possibly be constipated? It can cause some dogs to act painful. I'm glad that you were able to find something that comforted him - the soaking. Maybe you can try it again today. Also, you can try coaxing him to eat something by giving him something tasty like a little bit of canned food. Unless you are going to the emergency veterinary clinic, there may not be much you can do until Monday.

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  83. My female 11 month old dog is in heat ... but she not really moveing she having trouble putting her head down to drink or eat she screams when we move her like to go outside to potty she hasnt pooped in 24 hours... my husband& I would take her to the vet we have no money and Im getting scared. What do I do and is it related to. Her being in heat???? Please tell me

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    1. Well Tara, I have never heard of a dog experiencing so much discomfort from simply being in heat so I doubt that is what's causing the problem. She could have an injured neck or back, making her not want to put her head down. Or she could have a foreign object stuck in her stomach or intestines, which would require surgery to remove. Of course, it could be any number of problems and you should try to get her into the vet so you can get a better idea of what's going on.

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  84. Hello. My sister's dog has been yelping a lot lately whenever someone tries to hold her. She also was shivering recently and stopped when we put a sweater on her. My sister's dog also lies down a lot and tends to sleep the day away, she does, however, get up and walk but then lies back down. What is wrong with my sister's little baby? Is there anything that can be done?

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    1. Hi Jasmine, quite honestly I have no idea what's wrong :( The symptoms you list are all very vague and it's too difficult to find answers without actually seeing a patient and possibly doing a few tests on her. I recommend seeing a veterinary for answers. Some things that come to mind are neck or back pain. This can affect any breed of dog, but is common in dachsunds, beagles, chihuahuas, corgis, basset hounds, etc... If she is older, it could be arthritis. Never give her any over the counter pain medication for humans, especially tylenol or ibuprofen because that is toxic to dogs. Other than making her as comfortable as possible, there really isn't medication you can give over the counter.

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  85. Hi my dog is a cross collie (think:border collie with a whippet) and is 10 years old. He was rattling on our baby gate. Which was very annoying ! So eventually i got up and opened the baby gate and let him into my room. He usually would just lie on my bed like an absolute fluffy couch potato;but he didnt! He was pacing around the house. When i let him on my bed he kept jumping up and down. He was panting like mad. I thought he was hot so i gave him a drink out of my water bottle as i didnt have anything else. He was drinking like he had never had water for days. He would look at me with a wierd look like he was in pain. It was quite scary. I told my mum and she went down to check on him. I went with her. He walked strait to the door. My mum tried to give him a drink out of his water dish but he turned his nose up to it. She put him in his 'dog pen' its like a big shed ish thing outside with a kennel and shelter. Im really worried! My mum said he would be ok. I dont quite believe her. I have been looking up simptoms and the only thing i could find was bloat and litterally most dogs have died! The only earlier symptom i can think of was that he was sick. What should i do? Because im so scaredd!

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  86. Hello my baby's name is Kiko and he is a 6 years old chihuahua mix. Today I woke up to find him walking around in pain yelping. He holds his head very low when he walks and can't lift his head without crying. I examined his neck and it feels like there is a lump or inflamed area under one side. Any ideas of what this could be? I am going to take him to the doctor later today ... for now I have him on my bed on a bunch of pillows it's the only way he can lay down comfortably.

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    1. Hi Daria, sounds like he could have a neck injury and/or neck pain. It's fairly common for chihuahuas. I think you are doing all you can for now, but yes definitely get him over to the doctor. Also don't allow him to jump or be too active, which I doubt will be very difficult if he's in pain.

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    2. WHile my husky is probably 100 pounds bigger, those were his exact symptoms and he had a slipped disc in his neck. Hated it, but we put him on a pretty good dose of prednisone and muscle relaxers (all VET PRESCRIBED) and thankfully, he got better. He has a minor slip every now and then, but now that I know what to look for, we can catch it earlier.. Good Luck!

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  87. Hello my baby's name is Kiko and he is a 6 years old chihuahua mix. Today I woke up to find him walking around in pain yelping. He holds his head very low when he walks and can't lift his head without crying. I examined his neck and it feels as if there is a lump or inflamed area under one side. Any ideas of what this could be? I am going to take him to the doctor later...for now I have him on the bed on top of a bunch of pillows it's the only way he can lay down comfortably.

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  88. My 5month old puppy is breathing heavy, starring at the ceiling, shaking head as if something was in her ears. This has happened before, took her to the vet they said it was an allergic reaction gave her benadryl and she was fine after that. This happened early this morning about 1am, then again this evening at 630pm. Have her benadryl, nothing happened. Usually the episodes last about 15mins, this last time all symptoms lasted over an hour. I am afraid something is wrong with her neurologically, but pain is a worry for me as well. She recently had parvo and am happy to say she made it through. Upset too see something now is wrong once again.

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    1. Sorry to hear about your puppy. It does sound like this should be cause for concern. I can't say for sure what is wrong with your puppy, but it does sound similar to a seizure. I think the vet is your best bet, and even then it may take some time to figure out what exactly is going on.

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  89. My five month old puppy has been through a lot, sad that I am having to experience things again. This is the second episode in less that 24hours. Heavy breathing, shaking head back in forth, starring up at the ceiling, very scared, when I took her outside to use the bathroom she didn't want to come back inside. This has happened before, took her to the vet, they said it was an allergic reaction, gave her benadryl, everything cleared up. This time benadryl did not help. She Hasn't had much energy today and has slept a lot. If she is experiencing pain I don't know if these signs are urgent and need to be seen at an emergency vet. She had the parvo virus and now has recovered from that about two weeks ago, very hard to see her go through that. Please help

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  90. I have a 14 1/2 yr old Shelty huskey mix. I am giving her Tramabol for pain ( vet prescribed) she paces all the time and pants. Not sure if it is pain or a reaction from meds.

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    1. It sounds more like a symptom of an illness, perhaps dementia since that is common in older dogs.

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  91. Hello - Early this morning (4:00 a.m.) we were all sleeping & my 13-year old Shih-Tzu began howling & wailing loudly in her sleep. It sounded like screaming. She has never done this before. We flipped on the lights and lifted her to our bed to examine her. Her body was limp, as if dead, and she seemed to still be sleeping, or possibly in a seizure or stroke. I called her name loudly 2 times and she "woke up". She seemed disoriented & couldn't walk at first. She was limping & wobbling when she walked. After about 10-15 minutes she seemed fine and ate some food and went potty. This morning (10:20 a.m.), she seems fine. Any suggestions?

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    1. Hi Kay, glad to hear she's doing OK right now. I do agree that this could have possibly been a seizure from your description. I would just monitor her for any other strange activity or seizures. A veterinarian may not do much unless she is having multiple seizures. Otherwise, she may have just had a very intense dream. (I know my dog does a lot of movements and noises in her sleep.) But, it sounds like this kind of activity in her sleep is not normal for her.

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  92. Hello - Early this morning (4:00 a.m.) we were all sleeping & my 13-year old Shih-Tzu began howling & wailing loudly in her sleep. It sounded like screaming. She has never done this before. We flipped on the lights and lifted her to our bed to examine her. Her body was limp, as if dead, and she seemed to still be sleeping, or possibly in a seizure or stroke. I called her name loudly 2 times and she "woke up". She seemed disoriented & couldn't walk at first. She was limping & wobbling when she walked. After about 10-15 minutes she seemed fine and ate some food and went potty. This morning (10:20 a.m.), she seems fine. Any suggestions?

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  93. My bitch is winging every 2 hours is she in pain? She was out running 2 days ago and just stopped on the spot and couldn't move carried her home and she was unconscious took her vets she was on a drip for 15 hours and brought her home but she is not her self at all still wobbly on her feet drinking and eating fine stools a little soft! But no every 2 hours she is winging/crying!?!?! She has been doing things she wouldn't normally do and not responding to commands she has always done as very well trained sometimes doesn't know if we're even there or not! Any ideas would be very great fun

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    1. Hi Charlotte, sorry to hear about your dog. Unfortunately, I can't say I've ever heard the term "winging" before so I'm not familiar with that. Crying is a sign that she may be uncomfortable or in pain. If she is an older dog, she could be having a bit of dementia or even old dog vestibular disaease which can make them a bit wobbly and disoriented.

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  94. 13 year old lab. pacing and panting all night long. she has been to the vet and all blood tests came back normal. some days she its just fine. other days she doesn't eat but once. and on some days she would eat every time food is in her dish.she is so thin you can see her ribs and hip bones. we have done the theromone collar. after three days she was wretching. we did the theramone plug in. nothing. what is next?

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  95. My 13 year-old terrier mix has on thyroid meds for a few years and has bad skin issues-severe itching and some hair loss. For the past week or so, she can't seem to get enough to eat. She follows me around and begs for food. The past 2-3 days it has gotten worse and she doesn't want to leave my side. Tonight she had several long episodes of labored breathing and heavy panting and she is very clingy. I think something is seriously wrong.

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  96. Hi, my dog started not eating yesterday and he doesn't even like to drink. Now his head is shaking, although not always. I went to the vet but unfortunately the vet wasn't there so the assistant gave me energy drink(ultralite) because he said my dog seems dehydrated as well. But my concern is, why is he shaking his head??? Need help..please :(

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  97. Superb tips there for anyone with a poorly dog. They have many ways to communicate with us and sometimes just being present with them can give us a 'something's not right' feeling. If in doubt, off to the vets!

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  98. My Siberian Husky ate a wild baby rabbit today, whole. She held it, still alive between her teeth as I tried to get it out. But then she just swallowed it whole. Now tonight, 8 hrs later, she is constantly whining as she lies on the floor. I thought that I should maybe see if I can get her to vomit, but read that after 2 hrs of eating something, it is digested and giving hydrogen peroxide to her to make her vomit is not recommended (though I can't believe that a whole baby rabbit would be digested in 2 hrs). I am at a total loss. Everything I read about dogs eating rabbits has said that it's not a problem. Yet, I'm watching my dog suffer and don't know what to do, if anything can actually be done. Any help would sure be appreciated.

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    1. Sorry to hear that Guy! I also wouldn't recommend making her vomit at this point... While I wouldn't expect that the rabbit would be difficult for her to pass, I suppose it's possible that it could cause an obstruction. If that's the case, you need to watch her for vomiting after she eats or drinks food. If she's unable to hold her food down, you should take her to the vet. An intestinal obstruction can be serious and life threatening.

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    2. Thank you so much for responding so quickly. I may need to get her to the vet in the morning. We live in a very small town with few other options for vet care over the weekends. My dog is very uncomfortable and whining constantly. I try to comfort her and that helps her relax somewhat. She hasn't eaten at all except for a couple of dog treats. We live in the country. Could taking her for a long walk be useful or could that make it worse? Or is there anything else I can do until tomorrow? Thank you for your help.

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    3. I think that what you are doing now is great. Just keeping her as comfortable as possible. Unfortunately, there are not many over the counter drug options that I would recommend. Tylenol and ibuprofen are toxic, so never give them. I don't see any particular benefit to going for a walk right now and am thinking that it could make it worse. But who knows since you are unsure about what her ailment is anyways. You could try a short one probably if she'll allow it. Always happy to help!

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  99. Hi! My Chihuahua and Maltese mix is laying down for 5 minutes straight with her head up and then out of no where she just jumps up and runs to the end of the bed barely using her back legs. She's 3 in human years and any help would be helpful!

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    1. Sorry to hear your Chihuahua is not well! I'm a bit lost at your description of her, because it sounds like very odd and unusual behavior... The only thing that comes to mind is something neurological might be going on with her. If she's unable to use her back legs, that's usually a sign that something is going on with her spine or brain. I would try to take her to the vet if that's the case.

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  100. I have a 15 year old chawawa rat terrior mix named Soviet. I have had him since 6 weeks old. He has expearianced restlessness, moving in circles, pacing, discomfort, and heavy panting since he was about 7 or so every so every 2 to three months and usually last 24 to 48 hours...he is currently experiencing this right now and wonder if its acid reflex or some thing else. I've always just let it run its corset because he was always OK with then 24 to 48 hours but because of his age I don't know what his health (He is heathly for being 14 going on 15 besides that he has caterrackes...not sure to spell that). If anyone has expearianced a similar. thing with an older dog 10 years or older please let me know on here, or gmail at anthony281984@gmail.com. You can also reach me on Facebook by the same gmail account. I'm looking for a name and solutions to help him home and or vetemail me...or reply on here or look for me on FB at Anthony Howard. Please looking for answers!

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  101. My 4 year old spayed German Shepherd/Chesapeake Bay Retriever has been trying to urinate several times after she initially does it, the last 2 days she acts like she is having trouble defecating and last night she was panting heavily, moaning/groaning and kept moving every couple of minutes like she was uncomfortable. This morning there was doodoo on the bedroom floor, but I don't know if it was from her or my big boy. She is very subdued today instead of her normal energetic self. She didn't even bark when my niece came over this morning. Taking her to our vet this afternoon, praying that between my mom and son we can get a urine sample to take with. Prayers that she will be alright.

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  102. So. I have a 5 yr old dog an yesterday morning he woke up yelping then he starting limping on his right side an now he's panting an can lay down for very long an yelps everytime he moves what can I do at home to help because I can't afford a vet

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    1. Hi Shelli, unfortunately there is not too much you can do other than make him comfortable. Do NOT give him over the counter pain medications for humans, because they are toxic and will cause organ failure. Seeing a vet is the best option, however. I know it is difficult and I hope that he feels better soon.

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  103. I have a 9 yr old Chihuahua who began whimpering yesterday. It will happen when there is movement of the bed she is laying on but no one is touching her. This has happened 5-6 times that I know of.

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