Why does my dog raise her back and wag tail abruptly when touched? Is she in pain?

Poor Phoebe! Shaking like this is a common sign of pain in dogs, especially when there is no other obvious reason (such as fear or cold) for her to be doing this. Many dogs who have back pain due to a herniated disc or other problem act very much like this, so this would be my first suspicion based on your description. She could also be uncomfortable due to abdominal pain, or some other injury that is not visible from the outside. I would recommend taking her to the vet for an exam today if possible - he/she can do x-rays or other testing if needed to help determine the problem and get her started on appropriate treatment.

Poor pup! If you don't see any direct injury or abnormality, it could be in her spin, neck or TMJ. Soft tissue injuries are also possible. Spinal and neck lesions are potentially serious. It sounds like Paris is in pain and I recommend to have her examined today. She will get medication to help her to feel better and the veterinarian will conduct a physical exam which may diagnose the cause of her pain. Other diagnostics may be needed as well. I hope she gets better quickly and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Maya. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian. Neck and back pain are common in small breed dogs. This is very painful and can cause shaking, panting and a reluctance to jump. Her veterinarian can detect this on her exam or another problem if that may be the case. In the meantime, keep her quiet. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Princess. It sounds like she is in pain. Rest her tonight. No running, jumping, or playing. Take her out to potty on a leash, and bring her right back in when she's done. In the morning, have her seen by a vet. The vet can diagnose where the pain is coming from, and can dictate a treatment plan for it. She may also benefit from some pain medications, which the vet can prescribe. Please do not give her any human pain medications, as many are toxic to dogs and can be fatal if given. I hope this helps!

If this has only been going on for a day or two, 'swimmer's tail' or 'limber tail' is a possibility. This is a swelling of the muscles at the base of the tail that can result in significant pain, and it can seem like the dog is unable to move it's tail. An injury would be less likely with no history of trauma. Spinal/lumbar pain is also possible. Anal gland inflammation could also cause some discomfort although it would be unusual to cause such extreme pain. Unfortunately I think a physical examination by a veterinarian would be necessary to diagnose the problem.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly neck or back pain. It could still be pain associated with a leg even if nothing seems wrong with them. I recommend that you have Piper evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics include radiographs. Treatment would be based on findings. At the very least they can prescribe pain control medications to make Piper feel better. In the meantime, reduce her activity as much as possible as that in itself can make a big difference. Good luck and have a good night! 

Very gently feel every bone in the spine starting at the neck towards the tail. Include the tail. Your dog may have injured its spine or tail. If there is a pain in the spinal cord (he may react at the area where he is in pain) then you should take him to the vet for an exam and treatment right away. If you cannot find a spot where it hurts, you may want to observe your dog and see whether it gets better and take him to the vet if does not improve or gets worse. Your vet will examine the spinal cord, do an x-ray to make sure there is no fracture or slipped disc, and give your dog a general exam in case the source of the pain is somewhere else (abdomen, muscles).