Why is my senior dog pacing, panting, hiding, and crying in pain?

It's possible that this behavior is not entirely pain related if Emily is not responding to medications. Many older dogs will show signs of cognitive dysfunction and panting and pacing at night along with disorientation can be some of the signs. You could try a calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure (if they are available near you), or you could try a diet like Purina Bright Minds. Pain might still be playing a role as well so you may want to call your vet to see if a different pain medication might help. Finally, it's possible that these symptoms are related to another underlying illness so if she still isn't improving you may want to find a way to have her rechecked by your vet.

It sounds like she should be examined by a vet to determine the source of her pain. She could have neck or back pain, arthritis, abdominal pain, etc. and your vet should be able to localize the pain and decide the best way to treat. She may need an anti-inflammatory and your vet can prescribe. Do not use any human OTC pain relievers as they can be toxic to dogs.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Noel. I do recommend that she sees a veterinarian today. She could be painful somewhere that was causing her to pant and pace. Neck and/or back pain are common in small breed dogs. If this is not the cause, nighttime anxiety can develop in older dogs. It is similar to the anxiety experienced by human Alzheimer's patients. It would be best to have her seen so you can both get some sleep to tonight. I hope this information helps!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Pippin. It sounds like he is very sore. He will need to see a veterinarian to determine the source of his pain. It is common for small breed dogs to experience neck or back pain. These dogs will typically pant, shake and be reluctant to move. They can refuse to do stairs or jump on furniture. In severe cases, back pain can lead to weakness or paralysis. He should see his veterinarian soon. I hope this information helps!

It does sound like your dog could be in pain, and that could be causing the restlessness at night. He simply can't find a position that he is comfortable in, and it hurts to curl up. He could have an injury to his neck, spine, hips, or limbs. I would take him into the vet today for an exam. He may also benefit from pain medications if he is in pain. Do not give him any human pain medications, many are toxic to dogs and fatal if given. The vet can prescribe him safe pain medications if needed.

this could be caused by several problems. The pacing in the evenings could be caused by dementia, the panting and excessive drinking could be caused by kidney disease, diabetes and /or Cushings disease. You will need to take Toby to your vet for some blood work which will show up whether he suffers from any of those diseases. He can then also be assessed for dementia. Please make an appointment for a veterinary visit soon.

Panting heavily when it is not hot in the environment is usually a sign of pain or discomfort. If Mia has had a poor appetite for a few days, it is possible that she has a chronic condition such as liver or kidney disease that can be diagnosed on routine screening bloodwork. Unfortunately at age 12, especially for a large breed dog, serious/not curable conditions such as cancer (usually diagnosed on chest/abdominal X-rays) is a possibility as well. Less scary possible causes of the panting could be discomfort from pancreatitis which is often caused by table food and treated with fluid therapy +/- anti-nausea medication, or pain from arthritis which can be treated with pain meds pending screening bloodwork to rule out pre-existing liver/kidney issues. Especially since Mia seems uncomfortable, it would be best to bring her to your vet for an evaluation. Good luck!