My dog won't open her mouth, eat, yawn, or bark. What's wrong?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is likely due to mouth pain. This may be due to bone discomfort or perhaps any sort of fracture or trauma. It could also be due to muscle pain. I recommend that you have her evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and treat accordingly. Good luck and have a great day!

I am sorry to hear about your dog. I would definitely recommend a visit to your veterinarian. I would be concerned about a problem with a tooth such as infection or fracture, or a problem with an ear being painful, or possibly a problem with the jaw or the temporal mandibular junction (joint of the jaw). The vet should be able to look her over and hopefully localize where the problem is coming from. They may recommend an x-ray if they are afraid of a break, or an ear swab if it looks like the ear is involved. Another possibility could be neck pain which the vet can check for as well.

Her mouth may be painful or there could be something in her throat. Offer her some food and water. If she is able to eat and drink, there likely isn't something in her throat and I would take her into a vet in the morning to get this checked out. If she won't eat or drink, get her into a vet immediately.

I'd tell your parents you spoke to a vet for free, and you were advised that he does need to see a vet. It's not normal at all for Koda to scream when yawning, and the fact he's not biting down to eat his kibble. He may stop eating from the pain, which will lead to weight loss. This has to be checked out by a vet, he won't grow out of this. Please have your parents take him into a vet today. Best of luck.

With signs of muscle weakness, I would definitely have her tested for a condition called Myasthenia Gravis. This is an immune mediated disorder that can cause a multitude of symptoms including facial weakness, regurgitation, neck weakness and exercise intolerance. It can be tested through your vet and also treated for. The only other possible cause that comes to mind for a pet with muscle weakness and a tight jaw, would be tetanus, but you would expect a multitude of other symptoms including vomiting, fever, severe lethargy and inappetence. I hope that they can find out the cause soon! If she still comes up negative for anything after the additional test, then I would consider an MRI or CT scan on Xena moving forward. Best wishes and take care.

I wouldn't wait until the morning to see the vet if Hazel is in great pain, she should see one now. Please take her 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.

Raja could have a serious dental problem or could have injured her mouth causing her to refuse to open it and continuously drip saliva. I would take her into a vet immediately to get checked out, as I'm concerned she will stop eating. Best of luck.