[Amanda_1981]

something is wrong with my dog.. ever since last night, he has not been acting like himself. He's usually very active and playful and always follows me everywhere and come when I call him, but since last night he's been just laying down, so listless and looks so scared and is shaking and panting really hard. he won't come when I call him and he just looks so scared and I'm so worried about him. I gave him a buffered aspirin in case he's in pain and tried to give him some medicine I got at the vet to ease anxiety with dogs in case he's nervous but he wouldn't take it. I was able to crush up the pill though and mix it with some yogurt and he did finally take it. I don't know if I should be taking him to the vet right now or wait and see if he feels better tomorrow? All the vets are closed now though but I think there is one for emergencies that's open all night. I don't get paid until friday though and my sister is still at work. I just hope he is ok, he's everything to me and seeing him look so scared and vulnerable is scaring me so much. He's not even 3 yet, but the last time he went for his anual physical the vet had mentioned she thought he might be getting some problems with his hips (hip displaysia I think she said) because of the way he was standing. I really hope it's not his hips or any arthristis that's causing him pain.. he's too young for that and I would hate to see him have to suffer with it

If anyone has any advice on what I should do.. if I should be taking him to the vet right away or wait and see how he feels tomorrow and then go from there? I can just tell something is wrong.. he's not himself, he is never this quiet and lathargic. I love him so much, I haven't seen him act like this since his episodes of having panno when he was a puppy, but I was told by the vet that it only happens when they're a puppy and by age 2 it goes away.. and he's almost 3 now. I know german shepherds are often prone to arthritis and hip problems, but he is so young.. way too young for that to be happening.

Please, if anyone could spare some positive vibes and feel better vibes for him, I'd really appreciate it. thanks

[Elysium]

Sending many positive thoughts, vibes, and prayers for your Puppy!!

If he's lethargic and shaky...it doesn't sound like it would be arthritis related unless he's in a lot of pain. It sounds like there's something more going on.

Has he gotten in to anything in the last day or so that he could have eaten that might be causing him to get sick?

I don't want to scare you....but i would suggest getting him into the vet as soon as possible. This sounds like it could more of a medical issue.

The vet should be able to work with you on payment...especially if you take him to the ER vet.

Please keep us posted.

[lynn P.]

I agree with Elysium that you should take him to the vet. Check with him that it's okay to give him aspirin and yogurt. My vet said yogurt isn't good because it's a milk product that could cause diarhea, although the probiotics are good. Does he run free in your back yard because sadly in our county, there's been some deliberate poisonning. I sure hope your dear dog will be okay and back to shredding paper towels soon. Please let us know what the vet says. Big hugs for you and your dog

[Amanda_1981]

Thanks Elysium and Lynn, I appreciate your replies

My dad dropped my sister home and as soon as my dad arrived, my dog was acting a little bit more himself (he absolutely loves his grandpa!), and my dad checked him out and said it looks like he might have some joint pain because we noticed then that he was sort of limping a tiny bit with one of his back legs. The vet told me before (when he used to get growing pains from 'panno' which is common in german shepherd puppies, to give him buffered aspirin which is supposed to be safe for dogs to take). He seemed a little better after taking it but still is not himself, so I think I'm going to call the vet tomorrow and take him in if he's still not better. If he gets worse tonight though, I won't hesitate for a second to bring him to the emergency vet. I will keep you guys updated on how he's doing.. thanks again for your support and positive vibes for him.. it's amazing how much love a dog can bring to a person. .I don't have any kids so to me, he is like my child. I just want him to feel better and be his playful energetic self again

[crystalrose]

oh no i hate it when my pets are not themselves.

how is your baby now??

[lynn P.]

Thanks for the reply Amanda. I might just be confused about the aspirin - I know kids aren't sopposed to have it, so that's why I'm mixed up LOL. Let us know today how he's feeling. He's such a beautiful dog. I know what you mean about loving your dog. We feel the same about Bella - she such an affectionate dog. I hope he's feeling better today. What's his name BTW?

[Amanda_1981]

I'm happy to say that Jasper is back to his normal self today!! When I woke up, he was right by my bed, waning to play and wagging his tail and so much more lively today!! I can't tell you how relieved I am!! I was sooo worried about him! He is due for his annual physical soon so when I take him, I'm going to ask them to do xrays on his legs and hip to see if he is developing hip displaysia which is what the vet was concerned about during his last physical.. she said something about the way he was standing implied that he could be getting problems with his hind legs and hips.. but he is so young!! I'll feel better when I get xrays done and then I'll know whether or not if he needs something stronger for the pain. I'm also going to inquire about getting pet insurance in case he ever requires any surgery for it in the future.. I"d rather spend a few hundred dollars to get the insurance than to have to one day fork up a few thousand dollars.. eek!

Thanks everyone for all your support.. I greatly appreciate it!!

[lynn P.]

So happy he's feeling better Amanda. Thanks for the update.

[Amanda_1981]

Originally Posted by lynn P.

Thanks for the reply Amanda. I might just be confused about the aspirin - I know kids aren't sopposed to have it, so that's why I'm mixed up LOL. Let us know today how he's feeling. He's such a beautiful dog. I know what you mean about loving your dog. We feel the same about Bella - she such an affectionate dog. I hope he's feeling better today. What's his name BTW?

Yeah, I wasn't sure at first either if dogs could take aspirin but then the vet said that if the aspirin is buffered, it's safe for dogs. Jasper doesn't make it easy though.. I have to crush it up and mix it with food or he spits it out lol.

Your Bella is soo sweet! What kind of dog is she? I have always wanted to call a dog bella if I were to ever get a female dog.. it's such a cute name I named Jasper off of a soap opera character from General Hospital called 'Jasper Jax' lol.. thought I'd keep the tradition since my mom named me after a girl named Amanda on the soap 'another world' lol

[lynn P.]

Bella is what they call a 'designer mix' called Cavaland. She's a cross between a King Charles Cavalier and Miniature Shetland. She's very affectionate but also very active and playful. My girls love to play with her. She's also very smart and well trained - she can do about 15 tricks/commands. She also an excellent paper shredder like your dog lol.

[Amanda_1981]

Originally Posted by lynn P.

Bella is what they call a 'designer mix' called Cavaland. She's a cross between a King Charles Cavalier and Miniature Shetland. She's very affectionate but also very active and playful. My girls love to play with her. She's also very smart and well trained - she can do about 15 tricks/commands. She also an excellent paper shredder like your dog lol.

awwww she sounds so cute!! hehe, what is it with dogs and anything paper? I have to always keep the bathroom door closed or Jasper will eat all the paper from the trash LOL.