Why is my 5-month puppy in pain, twitching, and struggling to walk?

Poor pup. Muscle twitches in a pet so young can be caused by a toxin ingestion, a metabolic imbalance (i.e. Low calcium), an underlining neurological disorder, or it can just be a sign of pain somewhere in the body. If the muscle twitches are happening for more than a few hours then it is best to take Chevy to you nearest veterinarian for a complete neurological examination so that he receives the appropriate treatment. At the very least they can give him muscle relaxers to help with his symptoms and then any pain medication he may need. I hope your puppy gets well soon. Best wishes and good luck at the vet.

This sounds like a neurological problem affecting the spinal cord. Intervertebral disc extrusion and spinal cord infarct are most likely at this stage given initial pain and clinical signs. An immediate check up is needed ti confirm this suspicion and investigate and treat appropriately. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

I would recommend that you get Sophie in to see your veterinarian. A thorough physical exam will help you and your vet determine if there is pain anywhere (arthritis, etc) that may be causing her to slow down. It would also be indicated to run some blood tests on her to see if there are any other medical issues going on that may be causing her symptoms. Pain can sometimes cause twitching or small muscle spasms --especially if they are having back or neck pain. If that's the case your vet may be able to recommend therapeutic laser treatments and/or acupuncture. These methods of treatment along with medications can make a huge difference. I am so sorry we weren't able to get to your question sooner. Thank you for asking Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

She could have a calcium deficiency from nursing the pups and being so young and small herself. If the twitching continues or her condition deteriorates then please take her in immediately since this condition can cause seizures and become life threatening very quickly. It is treated with intravenous medication so a veterinary diagnosis and treatment would be needed. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Flo.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Poppy! I recommend that Poppy be seen by your Vet. Possible causes are distemper virus, a congenital abnormality, toxin ingestion, trauma or a brain issue. Hopefully this is just an injury that needs time to resolve but it is hard for me to say with out examining her or seeing a video. It may be very helpful for you to video tape an episode so your Vet can help you the best they can. I hope this helps and I wish Poppy a speedy recovery!

Poor Moose! Weakness can be due to bone, muscle or nerve injuries and in puppies a number of parasites such as neospora can also be involved. Blood tests, physical therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic care cold all be considered as long as there is still some sensation and withdrawal reflexes in the limbs. A full neurological assessment should be performed to help localise the origin of the problem

I'm sorry to hear that your pup isn't doing well. I recommend taking him to an emergency clinic right away for evaluation. His blood sugar could be low, he could have a liver issue that is allowing toxins to build up in his system, he could have a congenital issue with his digestive tract, or something else entirely. His vet will likely do an exam, draw a bit of blood, and maybe take x-rays. I hope he's feeling better soon!