My dog sits oddly, tail tucked, restless, scared. Is he in pain?

Poor Phoebe! Shaking like this is a common sign of pain in dogs, especially when there is no other obvious reason (such as fear or cold) for her to be doing this. Many dogs who have back pain due to a herniated disc or other problem act very much like this, so this would be my first suspicion based on your description. She could also be uncomfortable due to abdominal pain, or some other injury that is not visible from the outside. I would recommend taking her to the vet for an exam today if possible - he/she can do x-rays or other testing if needed to help determine the problem and get her started on appropriate treatment.

It sounds like your dog is uncomfortable or painful from some reason. He may have a back injury, a disc problem, or hip problem, or even abdominal pain. Your pet needs to be seen by your vet for an exam, bloodwork, and possibly x-rays to determine the cause for your pet's symptoms and get him stated on treatment.

Hello! That crouched stance is usually a sign of either back or abdominal pain, which can also cause decreased behavior. I would recommend having him get a physical exam from a veterinarian. If they are able to localize simple arthritis pain, they may be able to give him some anti-inflammatory or pain medications. If they are worried about a serious back problem or abdominal pain, they will likely recommend x-rays to look at his intestinal tract and spine and possibly bloodwork to check his major organ functions. Then, they can make additional testing or treatment recommendations based on what they find. I hope this is helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

I'm sorry to hear that Mayhem hasn't been feeling well. The signs that you describe - reluctance to use stairs, pain on manipulation of the tail, not pooping (likely due to pain while posturing/squatting), lethargy, and a decreased appetite - are all most suspicious for a sign of back pain. This could be a result of a soft tissue injury while playing, intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), fibrocartilaginous emboli (FCE), among others. Regardless of the cause, it sounds as though Mayhem is quite painful and would greatly benefit from an urgent trip to the vet for an exam and pain medications. Do not give any pain medications at home (including aspirin), and only give medications prescribed by his vet as most human pain medications are not safe for use in dogs. I hope that he feels better soon!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Dan. He could be holding his tail down because he has pain in his lower back or hips. Holding his head down slightly can also be a sign of spinal pain. I recommend resting him for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take him out to toilet on a leash, and bring him right back in when he's done. If he still appears painful after this time, then I would take him into the vet for an exam. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. He may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. I hope this helps!

Poor Snoop. His reluctance to move and lack of energy makes me worry that he may be in pain. Orthopedic problems usually present as slight behavior changes as you described. He could've possibly hurt his hindlimbs or spine. I'd highly recommend having him seen by a veterinarian for an orthopedic examination and physical exam. They can help isolate the origin of his discomfort if present.

I would be most suspicious Jack is in pain. Pain can come from anywhere but the most common reasons are spine issues like pinched nerves or compressed discs, chronic pancreatitis or hip/elbow arthritis. I recommend to have Jack examined by the veterinarian since this is the only way to begin figuring out what is happening and causing him to hurt. In the mean time, you can rest him so not strenuous activity and short walks (15 minutes) only. You can also start him on a joint supplement for dogs but the main treatment will begin once you know the underlying cause. I hope this helps.