How to Know if Your Dog Is in Distress

Panting and Trembling

• Dogs who tremble when it's not cold -- or pant when they're not hot, tired or overweight -- can be responding to pain. Stacy E. Smith of Paw Prints Magazine says it's such a common sight to see dogs with their tongues hanging out that it may be difficult to determine when there is a problem. Panting and trembling are often the first signs of trouble, such as respiratory distress, nausea, fever, hyperthermia, internal disorders or adverse drug reaction.

Pacing and Restlessness

• According to Dr. Debra Primovic of the Pet Place website, pacing and restlessness are agitated states that can be indicative of distress associated with bloat. Deep-chested and large-breed dogs are most likely to experience this life-threatening condition in which the stomach swells and twists, preventing release of expanding gas. Because bloat is mostly related to food consumption, WebMD recommends monitoring exercise and water consumption after every meal, wasting no time getting to the vet if you see your dog salivating, retching or trying but unable to vomit, or if you notice the dog has a distended abdomen.

Loss of Appetite and Weight Loss

• It's not uncommon for your dog to miss a meal every once in a while, but it may be cause for concern when meal-skipping behavior continues more than just a couple of meals. Dogs who have not eaten in 24 hours are responding to a more serious issue, according to Dr. Primovic, and it can be quite problematic for young dogs to go without food for more than a day. While your vet should evaluate weight loss from a decrease in appetite, the greater concern is when your dog drops pounds without a reason, specifically more than 10 percent of normal body weight.

Coughing

• Coughing typically means an irritation exists that involuntarily makes your dog try to expel it. While a physical coughing response is effective for avoiding lung aspiration, it impairs normal breathing and causes rapid respiration. Dr. Primovic says some of the causes for this state might be easily treated, such as with kennel cough, bronchitis or an obstruction. But the cause also might be potentially life-threatening, such as heartworms, heart failure, pneumonia or lung tumors.

Limping

• Active dogs may be more likely to incur limb injuries that cause a limp, but there are more reasons for a hitch in your dog's gait beyond a simple sprain or a thorn in a paw. Because dogs can be stoic even in pain, some don't limp until the issue has advanced to a serious point. Dr. Eric Barchas says that if rest does not heal the limp, your vet will likely consider the following potential causes:

  - Sprain, strain or pulled muscle.
  - Arthritis.
  - Infections, torn nails, cuts, pad abrasions, debris or embedded plant matter.
  - Back or neck pain.
  - Broken bone, torn ligaments or dislocated joint.
  - Neurological conditions.
  - Bladder infections.
  - Bone infections, cancer, hereditary problems and panosteitis (growing pains).