can my dog be mentally depressed
ever since we lost our other collie around 3 years ago
our tri colour rough collie takes episodes every 3 to 6 months
she won't eat or drink and she drags her hind legs and refuses to walk and she howls the place down as if she was in agony
she has been an inpatient at our vets for 3 days now and she has had all the tests and x-rays all of which have came back negative
could it be depression that is causing all of this
thanks for any help you can give on this matter

Dogs do miss other dogs. We have an on going discussion of it now at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/just-lost-puppy-parvo-will-adult-dog-get-sick-62850.html However, in your case, the dragging the leg sounds like a physical problem. Has the vet tried pain killers? If not, try giving her an aspirin tablet, buffered is best, the next time. If she temporarily improves, she has pain. Maybe get another opinion from another vet.

Yes, dogs can miss other dogs, but I agree with Labman that it sounds like a physical problem. Dragging her back legs sounds like a nerve problem probably from an injury to her back maybe a compressed vertebrae and she probably really IS in pain. Dogs with back problems can have them sporadically, and improve between bouts. I would definitely get a second opinion! And yes, try a buffered aspirin. Poor thing!

Hope this helps,

Molly

Hello. I am not a vet, but I would like to add my opinion to this. Most defiently dogs can miss each other. Animals have feelings just like we do. I do believe that dogs, or any animal really can be depressed. Everyone handles situations differently* Is there a certain area in your home where she howls or howls even more?like maybe it was your OTHER dogs routine place where she would sit or lay down? As far as my opinon if a dog can be depressed, yes I do believe they can. If your veternarian can not find anthing wrong with him/her, then I would consider maybe she needs a new friend to play with. It would not be considered a "re-placement." You could never emotionally replace the dog.
But to look at this from a different angle, maybe your dog really does have some sort of pain. Like maybe his/her hips,joints, or lower back pain? Is he/she an older animal?
I wish the best to you, and your animal... =)

Hello. I am not a vet, but i would like to add my opinion to this. Most defiently dogs can miss each other. Animals have feelings just like we do. I do believe that dogs, or any animal really can be depressed. Everyone handles situations differently* Is there a certain area in your home where she howls or howls even more?like maybe it was your OTHER dogs routine place where she would sit or lay down? As far as my opinon if a dog can be depressed, yes i do believe they can. If your veternarian can not find anthing wrong with him/her, then i would consider maybe she needs a new friend to play with. It would not be considered a "re-placement." You could never emotionally replace the dog.
But to look at this from a different angle, maybe your dog really does have some sort of pain. Like maybe his/her hips,joints, or lower back pain? Is he/she an older animal?
I wish the best to you, and your animal... =)



Cheers for your help we got the dog home the vet thinks it may have been a slipped disc
As long as she is home and on the mend that's the main thing