Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My dog is shivering, off balance, and lethargic. What should I do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Miniature Schnauzer | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 1 month old | 5.5 lbs

my doggie is acting strangely. shes shivering when she walks. balance is off, she looks lethargic.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 4th, 2018

Poor girl. These symptoms are highly suggestive of a toxin or drug intoxication. If this has been going on for more than 15-20 minutes duration, then I would highly recommend taking Bella Rose in to your local vet for a proper exam, diagnostic testing to hopefully pinpoint the problem, and treatment to help stabilize her condition. IF she did ingest a toxin, then the vet wil lhave to detox her quickly to help prevent any permanent damage on her organ systems, and also to prevent further absorption of the toxin in her gut.

Another possible cause for these symptoms is a pyometra (spontaneous uterine infection). This can happen at any time in non-spayed female dogs and leads to septicemia which can cuase similar symptoms invvolved in a toxin ingestion. Tihs is also considered to be a serious condition and should be treated for as quicikly as possible by your vet.

I hope that your fur baby Bella Rose is able to make a full and speedy recovery. Best wishes and take care!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

My puppy is lethargic, cold, slobbering, and shaking. Is it serious?

Oh my, poor Emma sounds quite ill! She could have gotten into something toxic, may have eaten something rotten, or could have a severe GI illness among other causes. Given that she is very lethargic and cold, she needs to see a vet immediately for treatment. The vet can diagnose what is causing her symptoms, and can treat her for them. Please take Bella into an ER vet or find a vet on call to see her now.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my Yorkie puppy shaking, lethargic, stiff, and can't walk?

These are certainly scary and concerning symptoms. I'm sure you are very worried about Bella as am I. I would recommend that Bella be seen by a veterinarian right away as the symptoms you report could be signs of something serious like low blood sugar. She is a tiny little dog and a Yorkie as well so there are some breed related issues that can cause similar signs. Seeing a veterinarian right away will help to rule out many things and hopefully get her feeling better as soon as possible. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why is my dog lethargic, shivering, and tilting his head suddenly?

Oh my. Poor guy. His symptoms unfortunately aren’t specific for one disease process to speak ok. Lethargy, shivering and weakness can be caused by just about any disease process including: toxin ingestion, underlying heart disease, or even anaphylactic shock is a possibility. But one thing is sure, Snoopy is in need of medical care if this has been going on for more than 6 hrs or so. He will need some diagnostic testing (bloodwork analysis to start) to determine what the underlying problem is so that we know how best to help Snoopy get better. I would recommend getting him seen as soon as you can. I hope that he is able to make a full and speedy recovery. Best of luck to you and take care.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My dog is lethargic and shaking. What's wrong with my pet?

Poor guy. Unfortunately, lethargy and shaking can be caused by a number of conditions including: toxin ingestion, severe anemia, sepsis (infection in the bloodstream), an electrolyte imbalance, or a neurological condition just to name a few. If Rocky is acating abnormal in this way and doesn't seem to be snapping out of it for more than 30 mins or so, then its best to take him to your local ER vet for further evaluation. Please also check his gum color to ensure they are still nice and pink. Pale gums are cause for an immediate vet visit wtihout waiting for the pet to improve. I do hope that Rocky's condition imrpoves soon! Best of luck and take care.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my dog shaking, off balance, and throwing up white foam?

Yes, I would be worried about Fjola. She sounds very ill, and I see that she isn't spayed. Unspayed dogs can be prone to developing a pyometra, which is an infection of the uterus. A pyometra can cause the dog to have the signs you are seeing, and it is fatal without treatment. I would take her into a vet immediately to get checked out to be safe. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why is my Golden Retriever twitching, unstable, and withdrawn?

Thank you for reaching out to Pet Coach about Bella. I would recommend that she is examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. She is having persistent neurologic signs and there may be others that you cannot detect but that can be determined by an examination from a doctor. These are all important findings to determine the origin of this problem. I know that you mention toxin is not possibly but we commonly see pets that have ingested a toxin that was unknown to the owner. Infectious and inflammatory disease are other possibilities for the cause of these problems for Bella. It is best to have her checked out before her symptoms worsen. Best of luck to Bella.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why does my dog shake, lose balance, and not eat or drink monthly?

Hmm. If this is happening in cycles then I would be suspicious of a potential toxicity to something she is ingesting. Perhaps even her heart worm or flea/tick preventative is to blame, especially if these episodes seem to occur around the time she is given them. This would be a very logical explanation and something I have seen in 1-2 patients of mine. Otherwise you should start looking into other possibilities such as hepatic (liver) encephalopathy or a brain malfunction. Having her examined by the vet and bloodwork analysis would be the next logical steps towards finding her diagnosis so that treatment options can be looked into to help stabilize Bellum's condition.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share