What does it mean when a dog keeps tripping?

If your dog is staggering, stumbling, or falling over, it may be the result of a variety of medical issues, including injury, stroke, poisoning, or an infection. Here, our Matthews Emergency and Specialty Vets explain why you should get to a veterinary hospital right away.
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Why does my dog keep tripping over his feet?

In many cases, dogs with CP deficits experience paw knuckling or dragging while walking. Knuckling occurs when your pet stands on the top of the paw, instead of normal paw positioning and has no idea that his paw isn't in a correct position. Paw knuckling is a sign of a neurological disease.
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Why is my dog stumbling and acting weird?

Potential causes include inner/middle ear infections, intoxication, strokes, tumors, infectious or inflammatory diseases (meningitis), idiopathic vestibular disease (also called “old dog” vestibular syndrome), or other less likely causes.
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Why is my dog shaking and tripping?

Is your dog losing balance, shaking, or falling over? Your dog's loss of balance could be the result of a serious medical issue, such as poisoning, stroke, injury, or an infection. Today, our Winston-Salem vets explain why you should head to an animal hospital right away if your dog is experiencing balance issues.
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What does it mean when a dog flops over?

They're Being Submissive

This doesn't exactly mean they feel threatened by you, but they're not 100% comfortable with you. If they lick their lips or tuck their tail between their legs while they roll over, they're being submissive. In this case, patting their belly isn't the best course of action.
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14 Critical Signs Your Dog Is Begging For Help



Why does my dog flop down on the floor?

Your dog might be trying to tell you that her new bed is too hot, or perhaps that it's a little too cold in the spot you've selected. During the summertime, that comfy overstuffed bed might hold in excess heat, and the floor might simply feel cooler and more comfortable.
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How do u know ur dog loves u?

Your dog might jump on you, lick your face, and they'll definitely wag their tail. Being excited and happy to see you is one way you can be assured they love and miss you. They seek physical contact. This can come in the form of a quick nuzzle, a cuddle, or the famous lean.
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What are the signs of a stroke in a dog?

Common signs that your dog might be having a stroke include:
  • Loss of balance.
  • Head tilt.
  • Pacing, circling, or turning the wrong way when called.
  • Abnormal eye movements or facial expressions.
  • Impaired vision.
  • Loss of control over bladder and bowels.
  • Vomiting.
  • Collapse, loss of consciousness.
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What does a dog seizure look like?

Symptoms can include collapsing, jerking, stiffening, muscle twitching, loss of consciousness, drooling, chomping, tongue chewing, or foaming at the mouth. Dogs can fall to the side and make paddling motions with their legs. They sometimes poop or pee during the seizure. They are also not aware of their surroundings.
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How do you calm a shaking dog?

7 Proven Ways to Calm Your Anxious Dog
  1. Exercise Your Dog. If your dog has separation anxiety, the obvious way to ease their mind is to never leave them alone. ...
  2. Physical Contact. ...
  3. Massage. ...
  4. Music Therapy. ...
  5. Time-Out. ...
  6. Calming Coats/T-Shirts. ...
  7. Alternative Therapies.
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What causes my dog to stagger and fall down?

Encephalitis, commonly known as inflammation of the brain, can cause dogs to lose their balance, stagger, stumble, or fall over. Brain inflammation can result from number of underlying issues including fungal infections, tick-borne diseases, and parasites.
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Why is my dog walking sideways and falling over?

My dog is walking sideways and falling over; what's going on? A few reasons your dog may be walking sideways are injury, hip dysplasia, and vestibular disease. If your dog has started to walk sideways, it's best to have him evaluated by a veterinarian for an underlying condition.
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Can dogs trip over?

Among falls caused by dogs, 61.6% occurred in or around the home, and 16.4% in the street or another public place. 26% of falls involving dogs occurred while people were walking them, and the most frequent circumstances were falling or tripping over a pooch (31.3%) and being pushed or pulled by one (21.2%).
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Is a dog seizure an emergency?

There are two seizure situations that warrant immediate emergency action: “Status Epilepticus” (a seizure lasting over 5 minutes) and Cluster Seizures (multiple seizures that occur within 24 hours of one another).
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Did my dog just have a seizure?

When a dog has a seizure, he usually falls down on the floor and may hold his legs stretched straight out from his body. He might also paddle his legs, depending on the situation, and he could run around in a panicked circle for a few minutes before falling over.
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What are the 4 types of seizures?

There are four main types of epilepsy: focal, generalized, combination focal and generalized, and unknown. A doctor generally diagnoses someone with epilepsy if they have had two or more unprovoked seizures. Medication is the most common treatment, and two-thirds of adults with epilepsy live seizure-free because of it.
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What causes mini strokes in dogs?

What causes strokes in dogs? Most strokes involve blood clots, but some are caused by tumor cells, bacteria, and parasites. This material can become lodged in a blood vessel, preventing blood and oxygen flow, which causes the tissue around the blood vessel to die.
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Why is my dog walking weird?

An abnormal gait can be due to a wide array of underlying problems or conditions. These can be as simple as a recent trauma or a thorn in the pad, to issues stemming from the central nervous system, musculoskeletal system and even cancers.
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How does a dog act after a seizure?

Postictal phase: After the seizure, many dogs exhibit a postictal phase characterized by disorientation. This may last minutes to hours. The most commonly reported signs are behavior changes, prolonged sleepiness, confusion, transient blindness, and eating voraciously.
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Do dogs feel love when you kiss them?

When you kiss your dog, you may notice signs that indicate they know that the kiss is a gesture of affection. As puppies, this is not something that dogs would recognize, although they would feel you doing it. However, as they get older they associate the kisses and cuddles with you being happy with them.
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Do dogs pick a favorite person?

Dogs choose their favorite people based on positive interactions and socialization they have shared in the past. Like humans, dogs are especially impressionable as their brains develop, so puppies up to 6 months old are in their key socialization period.
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Why does my dog push his head into me?

The Root of the Behavior

Dogs have scent glands in their faces so when your dog nudges you with his head, he is marking you with his scent to signal other dogs to keep off.
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What are the warning signs your dog is crying for help?

Is my dog in pain?
  • Show signs of agitation.
  • Cry out, yelp or growl.
  • Be sensitive to touch or resent normal handling.
  • Become grumpy and snap at you.
  • Be quiet, less active, or hide.
  • Limp or be reluctant to walk.
  • Become depressed and stop eating.
  • Have rapid, shallow breathing and an increased heart rate.
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How do I know if my dogs stomach hurts?

Dogs may show abdominal pain by appearing in a “prayer” position (rear end up in the air while their front legs and head are lowered onto the floor). Abdominal distension or bloating may also occur. Other signs of illness include: Vomiting, nausea, or refusing to eat.
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What does it mean when a dog can't get comfortable?

The most common reasons your dog may not be comfortable while lying down are joint pain, anxiety, dementia, pancreatitis, bloat and heart disease.
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