unknown illness in my dog

[tammiej3]

My 7 yr old female dog has swollen areas on her lower back ( both sides), that seem to be tender and she is shivering. I know I should take her to the vet but I dont have the money. Can someone please tell me what the problem might be and if there are any home remedy's I can try. She is still eating and drinking but sleeps alot and is slow moving( like she is sore) and does not jump up on me like she used to. I just noticed this problem today. She did have another problem a few weeks ago and I dont know if they are related. A few weeks ago I noticed one side of her bottom lip was sagging and she was drooling a lot. Her eye on that side was not blinking with the other one and sometimes droops open when she is sleeping. I thought maybe she had a mild strike. It has gotten a little better but not completely. I am very concerned especially since I dont have money for a vet. Please help me.

[tammiej3]

Thanks for your concern and all the suggestions. I am trying to find a way to get her to a vet. I think at this point it may be a kidney problem (related or unrelated to the possible srtoke). She is showing signs of tenderness over her lower back sides and they apear to be swollen but hard to touch. She tucks her tail and turns her nose to her bottom everytime i touch or rub the areas, she also seems to be drinking more water than before. I fel so bad for her but she does not seem to be in pain other that when the area is touched. Havent noticed the shivering today.
Thank you for your support.
tammie

[ginger899]

I feel for you. You love your dog, and this is all happening and you can't do much about it because of finances.
I can't say what might be wrong. It could be arthritis? Or it could be, as you say, a mild stroke she has had. I can't tell you what it is. She would need a vet to look at her, and maybe run some blood tests, etc. to tell what is wrong.

I can tell you love her. And I do certainly know what it is like to have no money!
But unfortunately dogs will, sooner or later, need the vet. There always has to be some plan in place, well before it's needed, for emergencies, and health crises.

OK, you haven't got that right now. But your girl needs the vet. I can't suggest a home remedy especially as I don't know what is the matter with her.
Is there any way at all that you could either: borrow money from family or friends....get her some charitable help....go overdrawn at the bank....do it on credit card, and pay later....get a paymentplan from your vet, and then sell things at garage sales or ebay, etc, to pay monthly costs....? (I'm trying to think of any options. Maybe others here will have some other suggestions too)