My dog is 4 years old, she started panting heavily and now she is shaking too. I changed her food about 5 days ago, and she has seemed constipated since yesterday morning (not going as much as normal and crying when she does try to go). Could this be the cause of her panting and shaking? Please help I am very worried about her.

If she is panting heavily and shaking she needs to see a Vet - now.

This could be anything from blockage to constipation.

Call the Vet!

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Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

If she is panting heavily and shaking she needs to see a Vet - now.

This could be anything from blockage to constipation.

Call the Vet!

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Our vet is closed right now until 8:30 am. Its only 10:30 pm right now. I'm just very worried about what to do for her in the meantime. She is drinking and eating.

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Originally Posted by kahlanblue

Our vet is closed right now til 8:30 am. Its only 10:30 pm right now. I'm just very worried about what to do for her in the meantime. She is drinking and eating.

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Do you have an emergency vet in your area?

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Originally Posted by teacherjenn4

Do you have an emergency vet in your area?

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No, we are in a very small town, the closest emergency vet is over an hour away.

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Originally Posted by kahlanblue

No, we are in a very small town, the closest emergency vet is over an hour away.

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I've called the emergency vet before since I also live in a small town. They may give you advice about whether your dog needs to be seen now or can wait until the morning. It's worth a call.

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Originally Posted by teacherjenn4

I've called the emergency vet before since I also live in a small town. They may give you advice about whether or not your dog needs to be seen now or can wait until the morning. It's worth a call.

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Ok, thank you. I'm calling them right now.

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Originally Posted by kahlanblue

Ok, thank you. I'm calling them right now.

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Let us know how things work out. We're hoping for the best!

Dogs are rarely constipated.. I'm thinking she might be having more of a problem with impacted/infected anal glands. A change in food usually leads to diarrhea or soft stool which doesn't push on the gland to express.

Anal gland impaction/infection is very painful and dogs will cry out when they try and make a bowel movement. Panting and shaking are not unusual symptoms of impaction/infection.

This is a pretty simple fix.. I hope it's nothing serious... Good luck

Ok, just got off the phone with the emergency vet, she said it sounds like it could be constipation, with her symptoms mixed with the food change and she's still eating, just not as much. She said to try canned pumpkin, about 1/4 cup should work within a few hours. Headed to the store now. I'll let you know if it works. Thanks for all the help!!

I think your dog is in a lot of pain. If she is sick from eating something that is bad then she should be vomiting. Is it possible that she ate something that would puncture her stomach or intestines? She seems to be in a lot of distress at the moment and frankly that could be a real bad thing.

The Vet thinks she's shaking because she's constipated - ?

Dogs are rarely constipated...

I did what the vet said and gave her some canned pumpkin, and also switched her back to her old food. She started using the bathroom normally again and is no longer panting or shaking :)) Just wanted to let everyone know she is OK :)

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Originally Posted by kahlanblue

I did what the vet said and gave her some canned pumpkin, and also switched her back to her old food. She started using the bathroom normally again and is no longer panting or shaking :)) Just wanted to let everyone know she is ok :)

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Excellent!