sudden onset of acute pain

[littlemuffy38]

I chose 'other' as the topic because I'm not sure what caused problem.  A 10-11yr old Shepard-Pitt mix with no prior history of skeletal problems was outside playing with other dog and was found with a dead squirrel.  About 3hrs later an relatively healthy dog started presenting with stiff neck- head stuck bent to right side, and noticeably uncomfortable.  Wouldn't eat any food except for treats, and he always ate- would throw up it stomach empty.  After about an hr dog started to shift and change positions.  Would get up and down off of couch looking for a comfortable way to lay, head would lay flat- never to the left.  He started to constantly try to get up and go in circles and then lay back down, always turned clockwise.  I went behind him and he couldn't turn his head to watch me.  He had a relatively large mass on the left side of his neck, maybe bigger than a quarter diam and was slightly warm, felt like it was deep in the muscle and he reacted to pressure on it.  Put ice on it for a while but I don't think it helped, 9hrs after coming in from outside the left side of neck moderately swollen going under and behind jawbone.  Cant tell about right side from angle, he cries out when he wakes up, rapid breathing, neck still stuck, wont eat, developed limp in front left leg, stares at nothing, will occasionally lick his paws but otherwise no movement.  Could this be a disease transmitted by the squirrel or some other small animal/insect?  Other dog doesn't show any symptoms.  Or would this have to be purely physical from some sort of damage to the cervical spine?  How about anal sac nodules?

[lonewolf07]

You should take him to the vet.  Some of what you describe indicates "bloat" and that should be treated asap

lonewolf

[Jaybay]

I really hope you took your dog to a vet by now.  It sounds like something venomous bit him judging by the neurological symptoms.  Maybe an insect or even a snake.  You've got a medical emergency on your hands, so if you haven't taken him in yet, get moving!

[peekawho]

Get to a vet IMMEDIATELY if you haven't already.  I have no idea what's causing this, but the dog sounds critically ill.  

Please let us know what you find out.  I hope you went to a vet already.