[pensewell]

I have a two year old Ori Pei (Shar Pei and Pug Mix) and he always wants to play and get into things but last night in the middle of the night he woke me up crying out and moaning. He also always sleeps at my side and he moved to the end of the bed. Then this morning he has been very clingy and won't really do much and again just wants to sit there and stare at me instead of playing. I am not sure what to do and since it is a weekend my vets office is closed and I would have to take him to the emergency vet in town to have him looked at. I am just at a loss for what to do. I would appreciate any help.
Thank you,

[Lara's mom]

Is he eating and drinking water? Throwing up? Does he have "the runs?" Does he appear to be in pain? Is he unsteady on his feet?

[pensewell]

He is eating and drinking ok. I have felt all over him and he does not act like he is in pain but he pulls away from me when he usually cannot be close enough to me at all times when I sit down or lay in bed. Now he will just sit at the end of the bed and stare at the door. I took him for a walk which is his favorite thing to do and he was not as excited as usual but he did ok. Now he is just laying at the end of the bed and won't come near me. I have noticed that a couple of times in the past month he has vomited like three times or so. I thought it was just because he was cleaning himself and might have gotten too much hair in his throat or something. Becasue he is fine afterwards and it was just a very little bit.

[Lara's mom]

The only thing that I can suggest is for you to watch him very closely. If you see any signs whatsoever that his condition is deteriorating, get him to that emergency vet! I know they charge outrageous prices but, you can't put a price on your dogs life.

As long as he keeps eating, drinking and eliminating normally, you will have to decide whether or not a trip to the emergency clinic is warranted. Nobody but you can make that decision. You know your dog best.

[Yogi]

sounds to me like you may have just rolled onto him in your sleep and may have hurt him a little. Granted you would have been asleep but he would not understand that and now he is just staying away to avoid being hurt again.

[shannonaguilar]

she is usually very loving and always wants to be by us but since yesterday morning she staying away from us and the house off on her own . when we go to her she wags her tail but really wont move from her spot . any ideas?

[Todd]

As what way already said, I'd just keep an eye on her and take her to an emergency vet if you sense any major abnormalities or symptoms. If everything seems alright, you may want to take her to the vet this week, preferably tomorrow if possible. Are you sure you don't notice any unusual symptoms? Your dog could be sick almost like a human would. The symptoms may not be as obvious if this case for dogs aren't like us humans (complainers. LOL.) Here's some info from the web which can help you determine if something isn't quite right and what may be wrong;


"Is my dog sick?" "Should I visit the vet?" These are questions that most dog owners will ask at some point. Learn how to examine your dog if you think he's sick.

At some point, every dog owner is faced with a situation involving an ill, sick or injured pet and many pet parents are left to wonder if the situation is serious enough to warrant a trip to the vet’s office. Understanding how to check things like the dog's temperature, gum color and the dog's pulse can help pet owners accurately assess their dog's condition.

“Timely veterinary care is key. Delaying care is going to take its toll on an animal’s body, making the illness or condition more difficult, and more costly to cure or treat,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, a practicing vet and professor of veterinary medicine.

Is My Dog Sick?
Dr. Levine first recommends looking at the dog’s general appearance, adding, “An ill dog is going to stop eating and drinking, they’re going to be lethargic and off-color.” Dehydration and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) can set in in less than 24 hours, so it’s vital to seek help as soon as a pet stops eating or drinking; the situation could turn deadly in just a matter of hours.

Taking a dog’s temperature can be done rectally. A normal, healthy dog's body temperature will be between 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. A temperature outside of this range is an indicator of canine illness and therefore warrants a trip to the vet’s office.

Checking a dog's gum color can also offer insight into whether a dog is ill. Normal gums should be a shade of pink. Abnormal gums, which are white, grey, blue or yellow in color, can be indicative of internal bleeding, anemia, or a disruption of normal blood flow, which prevents proper oxygenation of dog's blood or results in a loss of blood or red blood cells (anemia.)

Pet owners can also look for signs of pain and distress in a dog. Symptoms include drooling, panting and restlessness. A dog's heart rate can be a good indicator of distress and pain. The normal canine heart rate varies depending on the size and age of the dog, but a consistently quick or slow pulse indicates distress and/or illness.

A puppy has a heart rate of about 180 beats per minute. And adult dog will have a rate between 60 and 160 beats per minute. Small toy breeds can have normal heart rates of 180 beats per minute. According to Dr. Levine, the younger and smaller the dog, the faster the heart rate.

In addition, owners should know what’s normal for their pet in terms of their general appearance and the above-mentioned values. Dr. Levine concluded, “If you don’t know what your dog’s gums look like when he’s healthy, you’re going to have a difficult time determining if your dog is ill. Know what’s normal for your pet and detecting changes will be much easier.”


Tips to Help a Sick Dog

Recording a dog's symptoms and behavior in a pet log will also make the diagnostic process much easier, as pet owners can provide complete information to the vet without having to worry about forgetting important details due to the stress and anxiety that’s often associated with caring for a sick pet.

Also, pet owners should know where to find help in advance. Locate a 24-hour veterinary clinic in your area and visit the clinic in advance to ensure familiarity with its location. Pet owners shouldn’t waste valuable time locating a 24-hour clinic in an emergency situation involving their pet. Knowing where to seek help may just mean the difference between life and death for your furry friend.

I hope everything turns out alright.