My dog suddenly started shaking and won't walk. What's wrong?

Unfortunately these are very general signs of being unwell and it is not possible to tell you what might be wrong with your dog. However, the reluctance to walk and the fact that Ryder is nearly 13 years old, is a good indication that he may be suffering from serious arthritis which now is paining him so much that he cannot hide the pain anymore. This, of course, may also be the cause for not eating. You should make an appointment with your vet for an exam of his hips and legs, a small NSAIDs panel (blood work) and pain medication.

It could be that Tyson is in pain, and it sounds like he is quite painful if he cannot walk up or down stairs, and struggles to stand up and lay down. Please do not give him any human pain medications, as many are toxic for dogs and can be fatal if given. Because this has come on so suddenly and he sounds like he's not doing well, I think he should see a vet now. Please take him into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website. Best of luck.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Zack. When a dog is unable to walk properly, it can be due to a neurological problem, severe arthritis or even an intoxication. If you do not know of a poison he could have ingested, then this is less likely. Your veterinarian likely gave the steroid injection in hopes of treating a neurological condition. If this treatment helped, then it should be extended with oral steroid pills as well as pain medications and muscle relaxers. Arthritis typically managed with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain medication, but these cannot be used in conjunction with steroids. Depending on how he has responded to the treatment will dictate how to move forward. I hope this information helps!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Hudson. I recommend that he sees a veterinarian. He may have experienced a seizure. He could also have back pain. It is common for small breed dogs to have disc disease in the neck or back which is excruciatingly painful. His veterinarian will examine and determine if either of these scenarios are possible for him or if he has another problem. In the meantime, keep him quiet and carry him if necessary. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!

I'm not sure how old Daisy is, but she could be suffering from arthritis, may have degenerative joint disease, or could have injured herself. It is concerning that she is having trouble walking, and that indicates she could be in a lot of pain. Given those symptoms, I feel it's best to have her seen by a vet today. The vet can diagnose what is causing her trouble walking, and can treat it while also giving her some pain medications. Please do not give Daisy any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given.

Hello, thank you for your question. These symptoms could be indicative of many different underlying problems. Shivering/shaking can be a sign of pain in dogs. Alternatively, it is possible that your dog is having a seizure like event. If he is otherwise acting normal and these events are infrequent you could continue to monitor him. Alternatively, if you are concerned you could have him evaluated by your veterinarian. They will examine him and look for any sources of pain. It might be helpful to try and video one of these events if it happens again, since this could help your veterinarian exactly what is going on. Hope this helps!

It sounds like from your description that poor Trigger is painful and reluctant to move. When you stand him up, he will walk, but it appears he doesn't want to do it on his own. There could be a couple of places that are hurting him such as his neck, spine, hips, or legs. I recommend resting him for the next 48 hours. No running, jumping, or playing. Take him out to toilet on a lead only, 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. Best of luck, I hope this helps!