My dog can't walk, is shivering, and drooling. What's wrong?

Poor Ace! It sounds like he needs to see the veterinarian today. The shaking may be related to a fever or pain. When pets exhibit back pain, it can be from a compressed disc, a slipped disc, discospondlylitis (an infection), a broken vertebrae, a tumor or an infection within the spinal canal. All of these conditions can result in severe pain and they all require treatment. Your veterinarian will need an x-ray to look at the spine. They can also provide medications to make Ace feel better. I hope this is helpful and please feel free to post any additional questions.

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!

Oh dear! This is a very serious problem - I'm afraid she really has to see a vet right away. She may have a herniated disc in her back causing the paralysis, or some other neurologic problem affecting her spinal cord. She may be in pain, or she may have no feeling at all in her rear legs - it's impossible to say without an exam. She needs immediate treatment to have a reasonable chance of regaining function in her rear legs, I'm afraid there's nothing you can do at home that will help her. If costs are a concern, you can see if there is a low-cost SPCA clinic in your area that could help. You could also apply online for Care Credit, which is a payment plan accepted by most vet clinics: www.carecredit.com

This sounds like a medical emergency and you should have Puddin seen right away. The potential cause for her signs are a slipped disc in her back causing pinching of her nerves going to her back legs (Intervertebral disc disease), trauma, spinal infection, a spinal tumor or a toxin. The veterinarian will want to perform a through exam and localize the pain. They will also check Puddin's neurologic function which will help to determine if her signs are due to a spinal problem. If her signs worsen and she can no longer walk on her back legs, she may need an MRI or surgery. Please have her seen, good luck.

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.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Lucy. She needs to see her veterinarian today. I am concerned that she may experiencing neck or back pain. It is common in small breed dogs and can be excruciatingly painful. It starts as a reluctance to walk or move, the dog will avoid stairs and is hesitant to jump on furniture. It is common for the appetite to be decreased and the dog to pant and shake. It can progress to weakness or even paralysis of a limb. So it is best to address it as soon as possible if this is the cause of her symptoms. In the meantime, keep her very quiet and carry her when she needs to move. I hope this information helps you and Lucy. Good luck!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Peaches. If she ate a wasp or bee, I would except her muzzle to be quite swollen. She will need to see a veterinarian as she seems uncomfortable. Small breed dogs are prone to neck and back pain. Her veterinarian will examine to determine if this is the case. If so, she may need x-rays. Pain medications, anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers are commonly prescribed. In the meantime, keep her quiet and carry her if necessary. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!