My 12-year-old Shih Tzu howls in bed. Why is he crying out in pain?

If only Milo could talk! This type of behavior could be related to something like anxiety or to pain/discomfort. I recommend to have him examined by the veterinarian who will check for evidence of pain on the physical exam. Many times this type of sudden pain is related to intervertebral disc disease, discospondylitis, upper abdominal pain or a pinched nerve. They may also check a urine sample or the anal glands as well. Since he can't talk, it's best to play it safe. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

By your description, he may have hip, knee or low back pain. You will need to have him physically examined by your veterinarian to definitively diagnose the underlying cause This may require x-rays. Given current events, you may need to drop him off at the clinic, then wait for your veterinarian to call you to discuss exam findings and treatment options. Pain medication can be dispensed if indicated. Do not medicate him without the advice of your veterinarian. Many OTC medications can be toxic or are easily overdosed.

Poor girl. I am not sure if this strictly behavioral due to old age and a bit of senility or if she has an underlying issue. It would be worth while getting her examined by your vet to have a health profile done via bloodwork to ensure everything is normal, especially since this behavior is happening in consecutive days. If she is having senility issues, then that can be addressed with medication (i.e. Reconcile) or with a prescription diet (ie Hill’s B/D). Another possible cause for sudden whimpering in older pets is arthritis. This can be helped with joint supplements (ie Dasuquin, Cosequin, Rejuvenate) in mild cases or prescription pain control medication (ie Rimadyl, Galliprant) through your vet in more moderate to severe cases. I hope that things are well for your pet Mimi moving forward! Take care.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. I recommend that he sees an emergency veterinarian today. Screaming and shaking typically represent pain in dogs. Small breed dogs are prone to neck and/or back pain. The muscles lining the spine can spasm causing excruciating pain. In more severe cases, a bulging or swollen disc can place pressure on the spinal cord creating neurological problems. Of course, there are other causes of pain. His veterinarian will examine him carefully and direct you on treatment based on these results. In the meantime, keep him quiet and do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!

Ruling out an underlying health issue such as pain or illness is always a good first step when your pet experiences a sudden behavior change. As seven is the start of the senior years, it is possible there is some pain from laying in the bed, or arthritis causing problems. if Milou checks out health, trying to find if there is a pattern to the "attacks" may be helpful- does it happen the same time every night? Same spot? Same triggers? Is the neighbor arriving home in a noisy car at that time, etc? This may help you figure out what is triggering it so you can make some adjustments- IE moving the bed somewhere quieter, making sure your dog is fast asleep prior to that time, getting out excess energy before bed, feeding a treat to keep the stomach from becoming too empty and causing growling/discomfort, etc. If you can't seem to find any pattern at all, taking a video of the even to bring to your vet or a local trainer may be helpful in better identifying what is going on, and finding a solution.

This may be due to pain and discomfort or may be due to canine cognitive dysfunction (similar to dementia) both of which can often be supported and reduced with medication. I recommend you schedule a full physical exam by your vets and they may wish to do blood tests to rule out any complicating factors such as kidney or liver issues which may affect the dose rate of medications in a senior pet

It sounds like he has injured his leg/pelvis and yes if he is reluctant to move he should be assessed by a vet for pain relief and possibly xrays to rule out a fracture or dislocation. Keep him well rested and prevent any jumping, slipping or falling which may further aggravate any injury he may have until you can have him fully assessed