Lame dog after eating trash

[pamperedhen]

My shih~tzu got into the trash 2 days ago and then started shaking and would yip if you would touch his belly.  The next day he had problems walking with his hind legs. He has feeling in them, but, just has difficulty walking. We gave him an enteric baby asprin and he seemed a tinge better~no shakes.  He has urinated, but hasn't passed his bowels.  We also have given him boiled chicken and rice. We will take him to the vet tomorrow.  What do you think is going on that he can't walk?  What will the vet do?

[pamperedhen]

Thanks so much for replying Ghilly!  I took him and you were right, the Doc took X~rays and he has a slipped disk.  He gave him a cortizone shot and has him on tramadol  and prednisone oral for a week then we are to reassess.  He thinks he will do fine and I hope so. He is not really concerned about Nikko not passing his bowels.  He said once the pain is aleviated, Nikko will be able to get into the position to evacuate.  Hoping he will be better by tomorrow.  Thanks again!  May you have a blessed Holiday!  Robin =)

[BluCrystal]

I think your dog has a blockage in his digestive system that needs attention immediately!  Go to the vet NOW, do not wait!  Blessings - Blu

[Ghilly]

He needs to be seen by a vet.  Depending upon what he ate while he was raiding the trash, the yipping when you touched his belly could mean that whatever he ate caused him to develop pancreatitis, which is not at all uncommon when dogs overdo it on human food.  Pancreatitis is extremely serious and can be fatal if not treated promptly and correctly.  You should never guess at what is wrong with him.  Unless you saw him twist something while he was playing and know for a fact that he did something that could cause his leg to be sore, you stand a chance of doing him more harm than good by treating him yourself at home.  

I don't know that the yipping when having his belly touched and the fact that he cannot walk are related.  Normally, problems moving the legs is related to disc problems in the spine, which would not be related to something he ate.  The vet will more than likely take an x-ray and there's a good chance he will also do a complete blood panel to make sure that all of this internal organs are functioning correctly.  Please post back and let us know how he is doing.  Good luck at the vet!

Ghilly