Why is my dog jittery and uncomfortable when trying to rest?

Poor Jeter! There are a number of things that could cause him to be uncomfortable when he sits down. He may have arthritis in his hips or knees, back pain due to a "slipped" or herniated disc, or even overly full or infected anal glands - these are scent glands located on either side of the rectum in dogs, which can become impacted and sore in some cases. Since this has been happening since yesterday and doesn't seem to be getting better on its own, I would recommend taking Jeter to the vet for an exam. He/she can take x-rays or do other testing if needed to help determine the problem and see what needs to be done to treat it.

Poor baby. I'd recommend checking him all over for anything that hurts, or looks funny. In addition, if you know anyone that does analysis gland expressions, full analysis glands can make a pet act very anxious. They have to be trained to know how to do it, so most likely you will need to contact your veterinarian in the morning. You could also contact your local pet ER and have him seen tonight if he is acting that off.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Bo. Three things in particular that I would be concerned about- back or abdominal pain and anal gland problems. A common back problem that we see frequently involves the intervertebral discs which are between the vertebrae. This can range from the disc bulging against the spinal cord or a rupture of the disc. Dogs often pace, move cautiously and slowly, seem painful, can't get comfortable for any amount of time, etc. Back problems can also be due to soft tissue problems such as a muscle strain, other inflammation, infection, etc. Abdominal pain can mimic this same presentation even with a lack of clinical signs. This could be due to intestinal cramping, pancreatitis, kidney pain, or problems with any of the organs in the abdomen. I'm mostly suspicious of a back problem. I would advise keeping a very close eye on Bo. If this condition persists, worsens, or other signs develop then I would have him evaluated immediately. If you notice that he is getting weaker, seems uncoordinated, starts walking on the top of his back paws, becomes paralyzed in the rear legs then get him seen immediately. These signs would mean that he is having some significant pressure on his spinal cord. Anal gland problems range from enlargement to inflammation to infection of the glands. Clinical signs are often vague like this. Your vet can gather a history, perform an examination, and then make a diagnostic/treatment plan based on their findings. Possible tests include fecal/blood/urine tests and x-rays to evaluate the spine and abdomen. Anal glands can be emptied if they are found to be enlarged and painful. Treatment would be targeted once a diagnosis is made. Good luck with Bo

If only Cookie could talk! It’s impossible to know if this related to pain or anxiety. I recommend to play it safe and have Cookie examined by her veterinarian today. Make sure they check her neck, spine and anal glands. The doctor may also want to check her for a urinary tract infection as well. It’s best to play it safe.

Aw, poor Honey. That posture indicates that her stomach is bothering her. A few things that can cause this are intestinal foreign body, gastritis, and bloat. If she's unable/unwilling to eat and rest, is vomiting, is very lethargic, or her gums look pale she needs to go to an emergency clinic right away (tonight). If she's otherwise totally normal (eating, resting a normal amount, playful, no vomiting or dry heaving, no diarrhea), you can probably wait until the morning, although going to the emergency clinic for an exam and abdominal x-rays would still be the safest choice. I hope that was helpful and that Honey is feeling better soon.

Poor Shelly! She could be having a muscle spasm, itching, fleas, or most commonly anal gland issues. Dogs act this way commonly when their anal glands are bothering them. The anal glands are two gland just inside their anus that are suppose to naturally express when they have a bowel movement. Unfortunately, when they age, some dogs don’t express theirs as routinely as they are suppose to do they get full and uncomfortable. I would have your vet take a look at her to ensure nothing more serious is going on and to see if her anal glands are full. Your vet will be able to empty her anal glands and tell you whether she needs any meds. I hope this helps!

This is a sign of pain/discomfort which commonly can be commonly due to anal glands problems (inflammation/impaction for example), or to hip or spinal pain. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Unfortunately without more clinical informations it is going to be difficult to give you more specific advices. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. Please find the time to give us a feedback about the consultation as that will be used to improve our service.