My puppy is shaking in sleep and straining. Could it be constipation?

It looks like there may be some rectal swelling/possible prolapsing if your puppy is straining hard to go to the bathroom and can't. If he is unable to pass stool at all and the swelling is still there or growing in size, it would be best to seek veterinary care in person ASAP. If he is able to pass some stool and is a little constipated, some pureed pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) or plain yogurt can help, but if he is straining to the point of causing rectal swelling/protrusion or is retching like there is something stuck preventing him from going potty, veterinary care is needed.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Smudge! Shaking and crying are signs of pain. If Smudge is not straining to defecate then I doubt it is constipation. Constipation is not common in dogs, it is much more common in cats. The only constipated dogs I have seen have perineal hernias or are secondarily constipated from eating bones and their stool is very hard from digested bony material. My thoughts are that Smudge has a painful neck or back. Or muscle pain somewhere. Be sure he can open his mouth, yawn and chew. I would have him rechecked. If constipation is a worry then a rectal exam and a belly X-ray should be taken to prove this. I hope this helps and I wish Smudge a speedy recovery!

Poor guy. He may be a bit constipated. If he is squatting but no feces are coming out, then its best to take him to your vet to have him checked. He may need an enema to remove dried stuck feces in his colon so that he can freely go. You can also give an over the counter enema (from your local pharmacy) if you are up for it. Make sure he has free access to water and give him some canned food as well to increase his water intake. Constipation in young dogs is also often caused by intestinal parasites, so its good to have his stool checked by the vet as well. I hope that your fur baby feels better and is able to go potty soon! Best wishes and take care.

Poor pup! If nothing at all is coming out except some mucus, it would really be best to have him seen by a vet tonight if possible - severe constipation like this is very uncomfortable, and he may need an enema along with prescription medication to treat it effectively. If this isn't an option for you, you could try giving him a spoonful of plain canned pumpkin if you have some available - this helps to increase fiber and moisture in the stool, which can make it softer. I would also encourage the puppy to drink fluids, either water or low-sodium beef or chicken broth, which can also help to soften the stool a bit. He should still be seen by a veterinarian as soon as you are able to take him, especially if he is still not able to poop by morning.

Poor Arlo. This is concerning and it sounds like he could be painful if he's shaky. Try giving him a teaspoon of canned pumpkin puree with his food to see if that helps. If it doesn't, have him seen by a vet.

Usually with constipation they will try to go to the bathroom but nothing will come out - and they are straining (pushing hard). it doesn't sound like the issue to me. It is more likely that she got injured somehow while you were gone like jumping down off the couch or something similar. They will often do this and get a sore back. I suggest you get her to your vet for an exam - if she did injure her back the vet can give you some medication to help her feel better.

If he is otherwise normal I'm not concerned. He may be stressed from moving to a new home or dreaming. If it was a seizure you would notice him going from normal to having muscle spasms, then getting back to normal in a few minutes. It's a good idea to video the behavior and write down when it occurs so you have a history to discuss with your veterinarian should it get worse. I like to write down the episodes on a calendar so I can go back and check the frequency. Willis may stop this as he becomes settled in your house and as he gets older. If he appears agitated, weak or ill please take him right in for an exam. You may want to double check with his breeder to see if any other pups or the parents are doing this. Cavaliers do get heart disease, but usually when they are old, and purebred dogs can get epilepsy but seizures often don't start until they are six months to a year old. Again I would just watch him to make sure there are no other symptoms. Enjoy your new puppy! I love Cavaliers, it's a fun, gentle and loving breed. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Willis.