poddle not eating and occasionally yelps

Question

I have a 7 yr old toy poodle, Zorra, she is off her food eating very little even when we switch food and offer treats. She is a little lethargic but still gets excited to go on rides in the car etc. is moving around fine. I have felt her all over for lumps etc, but nothing. She lets me do this with no problem so I figure she doesn't have pain. Teeth and gums look good. still having bowel movements ok just less frequently. The odd thing is that sometimes for no apparent reason she will yelp as if someone stuck her with a pin or something. this happens once or twice a day, but not every day. She will run away as if she thinks someone hurt her even if no one was near her. Very odd. 2 weeks ago she did have a fever and vomiting. I suspected garbage gut cause she will get into stuff if you just let her out instead of going out with her. any help is appreciated.

Margot49 · Accepted Answer

Anything would only be a guess.
When she was sick, was she checked by a Vet?  Slight chance she may have ingested who knows what.
Have you checked her spine and legs (knees) to see if there are any tender areas.
Believe it or not, it could be anal glands?  Is she tender under the tail, licking or scooting?  
Less frequent bowel movements could be to less appetite.
You know your dog best but you might try a 24 hour fast but always have water handy.  Then start with a bland diet of chicken, turkey or hamburger and rice.  I would Ann some canned pumpkin to that ( not the pie filling).  See if she will eat that and how she does.
On an off chance, I would sit down with a comb or brush and look closely to see if anything may be stuck in her coat and check Round and under the tail area
Sometimes, with these little dogs it can be hard to tell if something is wrong or they are being drama queens.
Just stuff I would do myself, at this point
Keep us posted

Misfits4Me · Answer

Great news......Poodles are notorious for dental problems.....Left untreated, it leads to heart disease.......Glad you got to the root (No pun intended) of the problem......  ;)      Karla

Margot49 · Answer

Hope that was the problem and she is on the mend

caravanmom · Answer

Thanks Karla.  Zorra had an abscess on the roof of her mouth on right side. The Vet drained it and pulled 1 tooth, cleaned the rest.  She is starting to eat again. Finally!

Margot49 · Answer

No constipation or anal gland issues?  Possibly something spinal or nerve problem going on.
If it continues, a trip to the Vet may be needed

caravanmom · Answer

thanks,  when she yelps she is sometimes sitting, sometimes standing.  She does not lick any part when this happens. I have checked her over pretty well and haven't found anything.  I thought whatever is hurting her is probably inside.

Misfits4Me · Answer

Margot covered everthing I could think of, also...Here's more questions: What is she doing when the scream happens? Laying down? Jumping? Running? When it does happen, does she look or lick at any particular part of her body? Let us know....Karla