Why is my 8-year-old dog lethargic with shaky legs and tucked tail?

Poor Niko! I am not sure if he is still having problems but it sounds like he could be experiencing some pain. He could have back/neck pain or possibly dental disease and pain while eating. Have your vet examine him to determine the cause and treat. He may need an anti-inflammatory and pain medications to help. Hope he is feeling better soon!

Hmm. That is odd. With no other symptoms besides the shaking, it is hard to say for sure. Shaking can be a sign of pain, neurological or an acid/base imbalance. I would continue monitor him for the next 12 hrs to see if this behavior continues. If it does then the next best step is to get some baseline bloodwork to look for underlying issues. You can also feel around to see if Snickers is painful in any particular area. That can help the vet focus on that one area to look for underlying causes. At this age most dogs also have arthritis, so it is a good idea to get Snickers on a daily joint supplement regardless. My top recommendations here for over the counter products is Dasuquin or Cosequin, and for veterinary prescription products it is Rejuvenate. Best wishes with your pet Snickers and I hope that you get to the bottom of her possible pain soon! Take care.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the symptoms you are describing, I would recommend having Zeus examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. He may be in pain from a leg injury causing him to not want to move much and also could be affecting his appetite / thirst. Another possibility is that Zeus is currently dealing with Tick Paralysis. There are also other possible causes but these are just a couple. I would get him in sooner rather than later and if that means taking him in as an emergency, I would certainly do so. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am so sorry to hear about little Sophia. I am worried in this case about pain- back pain specifically. Her breed and what you describe are very typical of this. But other things such as infection or orgsn disease are possible. I think regardless of cause, Sophia needs to see the doctor for a good physical exam and some prescription pain medication if appropriate. Best of luck to you and Sophia.

I can certainly understand being concerned about Niko! If he did have bloat, you would see unproductive vomiting, abdominal pain, an enlarged belly, restless, and pacing. It could be that he is feeling unwell from stomach upset causing the burping and strange behavior. The shaking could be caused by pain. I would monitor Niko for now. If he does start to show signs of bloat, or starts vomiting and becomes very lethargic, I would have him seen by an emergency vet. Otherwise, have him seen by a vet in the morning should these same symptoms continue.

Hello. I am very suspicious that there may be something going on with Lucky. A young Spitz should be full of energy & bouncing off the walls. I really believe that your vet needs to look a little more to see what might be going on. Was any blood work or a urinalysis performed at the last visit? Was any other testing offered such as for tick disease or any other diseases that might be common to your area? Lethargy & shivering are a true indication that Lucky does not feel well. I am sure with a little more work by your vet, we can get Lucky feeling better soon. Good luck & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Loss of appetite and lethargy can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have Dexter evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a great day! Hoping for a speedy recovery!