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My old dog is yelping, shaking, and won't eat or drink. What's wrong?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 16 years and 7 months old

I have a 16 year old dog, a pit Dalmatian mix, he recently started to yelp and howl uncontrollably like if he's in pain, I've tried to touch little bits and parts on his body and no are affects him, I've tried putting my finger almost in his eye, no touch, and he doesn't brace like if he doesn't react or see it, he won't eat, he won't drink and he shakes all the time and is almost druling but no so much it just comes out, help, options, advise, obvious vet care?

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on October 30th, 2016

Given his age and symptoms, he will need to see a vet as son as possible, it seems like he has nausea and is in severe pain, this is probably due to an internal condition and it will require some tests such as an Xray or ultrasound in order to find out what is wrong with Charlie.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 20th, 2018
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. I would withhold food for at least 8 hours and then initiate a bland diet as outlined below. If he continues to vomit and become weak regardless of the bland diet, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine him so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. He will become dehydrated if he continues to vomit so it is important to ensure he is taking in plenty of liquids. If not, a veterinarian can administer fluids to help hydrate him. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I hope Charlie feels better soon! Please take the time to mark this question as helpful or not as it helps us to improve on the quality of our answers to other pet owners. Thank you kindly!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM
Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident
Published on June 19th, 2018
Hi there! Sorry to hear that Charlie is not feeling well. The clinical signs you describe are concerning when they occur in a puppy as they can be seen with serious gastrointestinal infections such as Parvovirus. Other possibilities include intestinal worms and dietary indiscretion, among other possibilities. The sooner these conditions are treated the better the outcome tends to be. For this reason, I recommend that you have Charlie evaluated by your veterinarian to check for these possibilities and to start therapy based on findings. At the very least they can address dehydration if present and start him on anti-nausea medications. Good luck! Keeping my fingers crossed for your boy!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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