My dog is lethargic with a painful neck. When should I see a vet?

With the lethargy and being painful under her arms, she may have hurt her neck or back. This is common if they run and jump a lot or fall somehow. I would bring her food and water to her if she doesn’t get up to see do she wants to eat. From there you can try to encourage her to get up and see if she limps on any leg or moves her neck normally. If it continues after 24 hours or she is unable to stand then I would get her seen

With vague symptoms such as generalized lethargy, there is no right or wrong answer to taking her now vs waiting until the morning to see if anything changes. If she is vomiting or has diarrhea then I would take her for sure. Since she is still eating and drinking, you can monitor her for further changes such as those before going in. IF she is not better after 24 hours then I would get her checked also. If you will feel better and sleep better by having her checked tonight, then that is the best option for you.

It sounds like she is in pain. She could have a problem with her neck or back causing the pain. Since she is otherwise acting normal, it might not be an emergency but taking her to the emergency clinic tonight would give her some relief and make her feel a lot better. She may need an anti-inflammatory, pain medications, and a muscle relaxer. Hope she feels better soon!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be due to neck pain for example. He may not be eating due to pain. I would recommend you consider taking him to your veterinarian so they can check for this. They can then treat accordingly. In the meantime, try to rest him and avoid touching his neck. Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Usually these signs are related to sudden onset of pain, very commonly spinal or abdominal pain. Yes I agree with your plan I think if the signs do not resolve spontaneously, a check up would be needed to determine underlying source of pain and treat appropriately.

If he was behaving normally otherwise, then watching him at home would have been recommended, but since he is lethargic as well, he really should be seen. It could be anything from a strain or pull to orthopedics injury to infection. A physical exam, xrays and a screening for tick borne diseases would be recommended. Treatment will depend on the diagnosis. In the meantime, restrict activity to just leash walks for elimination and avoid excessive running, jumping or rough play until he sees the doctor.

It sounds like BeR is not feeling well. Just like people, there are many conditions that can make pets feel sick. This could range from bacterial over growth to intestinal blockage. Also like us, diseases are best addressed early and this may result in a better prognosis. You need to monitor your pup closely. If he is not eating or drinking well, if there is vomiting/diarrhea/coughing or signs of pain, I recommend to have him examined by the veterinarian today. If the lethargy lasts for 24 hours, your pup also needs to be examined. The doctor will need to learn the underlying cause in order to give appropriate treatment. Bring in a stool sample in case the doctor needs to test it. At home, your pup should rest today so no walks or playtime. Encourage eating and drinking. Fluid intake is very important when pets and people don't feel good. You may try offering a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken and white rice (this should all be plain). You can add extra water as well to increase the fluids. Hopefully this will pass quickly. I hope BeR starts feeling better quickly! Please feel free to post any additional questions.