My dog has had trouble opening his mouth this evening. He wandered out for awhile and when he returned we noticed that he wouldn't open his mouth. We have tried and he has growled and barked at us, which he had to open his mouth. He has not eaten and he has tried to drink water but he can't. He has been trembling a lot. What could be wrong with him? I am going to give the vet a call in the morning. I live out in the country, I wish I could take him to the vet now. Is it possible that he got bit or stung by something. Anybody have an idea.
2007-12-01 17:07:34 · 11 answers · asked by lisa103181 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
It could be a number of things, but you should really take him to the vet to find out what the problem is. Check his mouth and throat for something that may be stuck.. DO NOT give him Benedryl. If the vet needs to give him anything.. It will be a problem if you are self medicating him at home.. Never give Benedryl unless your vet tells you it's okay. You risk antihistamine toxcity. Don't listen to people that tell you to give your dog medications at home.. They are not vets and are not qualified to be prescribing medications.. Your dog needs to see a vet.
2007-12-01 18:25:16 · answer #1 · answered by DP 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unless there is extreme swelling from an insect bite, it sounds like his jaw is dislocated. He is trembling because it hurts, and he doesn't know what to do. He will probably not let you try to put it back into place due to the pain, so it is wise to let the vet do it. He could have taken a fall, or he make have a TMJ problem and it just popped out of joint. It's not a fatal thing unless it goes untreated for a long time and he can't eat.
2007-12-01 17:13:36 · answer #2 · answered by hally_soboleske 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He could have an abscess or infection in the back of his mouth behind his eye that causes pain and pressure when his mouth opens - this condition is called a "retrobulbar abscess" and can be caused by a few different things including infected tooth roots. Often times one of the eyes is bulging out slightly or the 3rd eyelid is protruding more than the other.
Other things that are possible include a condition called masticatory myositis where the "chewing muscles" become inflamed causing pain when opening the mouth, or arthritis in the joints of the jaw.
Keep your dog quiet and comfortable tonight - don't try to force him to eat or drink just let him be until you can get him to the vet - they will likely need to anesthetize him in order to look in his mouth and figure out what is going on.
Good luck to you and your pup!
2007-12-01 17:17:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Watch him close,I would hate for him to go all night without some help. Could be a sting and he needs some benedryl. Is he breathing OK.?
Could be a fight and another dog has dislocated his jaw. Is his mouth crooked?
He could have a stick stuck in his mouth side ways and is painful.
When he has calmed down, feel him and see if you can find any bumps or swelling on his face, neck upper body and see if he will let you open his mouth.
I know you said you were out in the country....is there any one near you that has farm animals??? they might be a good vet in the meantime???
And I'm assuming he has had his vaccines for rabies!
Hope all goes well.
2007-12-01 17:21:14 · answer #4 · answered by Lyn B 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
He could of possibly got stung by something or bitten by a spider. Possibly something stuck in his gums. He will be fine without food and water tonight but I would get him into the vet first thing in the morning. Pets have allergic reactions to different things like humans. Does he have a bump or a tender spot around his mouth / head area. I had a puppy that was stung by a bee and they gave her a shot of benadryl when I got her to the vet - her breathing was rapid but she was fine after a half an hour. Keep a close eye on your dog tonight to ensure it doesn't have any problems breathing.
2007-12-01 17:23:02 · answer #5 · answered by tietzedet 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he has a sticker or a thorn in his mouth and doesn't want to open it, you may need to have the dog anethstized in order to find out.
2007-12-01 17:14:11 · answer #6 · answered by Corgis4Life 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be rabies if you are in the country. There are alot of animals he could have gotten into a scuffle with, and trash he could hve gone through. All it takes is to come in contact with saliva of an infected animal once. And if he has not been vacinated recently this year he may be in real trouble. The unablilty to drink water and loss of apitite is alarming for me. Rabies effects the neurological system. It is a virus that effects the brain. It is almost always fatal. There have been known cases of people who have survived without the shots. But they have lifetime scars along the lines of i you survive you will have to learn how to walk again , talk , and function normaly and it takes a long time. but most people don't survive unless they have been treated after being bit by an Infected animal. It may be best get up and take it to a vet. This is an improtant matter not one to stay inhome for.
2007-12-01 17:35:37 · answer #7 · answered by Ems 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I would try if at all possible to check for sticks in the mouth, if he is shaking he probably is in pain....a vet is a good idea. Even a beloved pet can bite hard when something isnt right...see if u can just start by lifting the lips and peeking at his gums, slowly try to limit where the pain might be coming from in his mouth. Hope this helps!!
2007-12-01 17:14:58 · answer #8 · answered by heatherbean0428 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That doesn't sound good at all. Can't you get him to an emergency vet? It could be serious.
2007-12-01 17:10:09 · answer #9 · answered by true blue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont know much about dogs. Bring him to see a specialist. He definitly needs to eat or he'll die. Its weird. Maybe give him his favorite snack so he eats it.
2007-12-01 17:11:22 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋