My Dog Is Not Moving But Still Breathing

Physical trauma is often the result of an accident such as a traffic collision or falling from height. It can also be the result of animal cruelty or other physical abuse. When this happens, the dog can cause injuries such as bone fractures, bruising or internal bleeding. The pain of this trauma can prevent the dog from moving, even if they are still able to breathe.

In these cases, the damage tends to occur immediately after the traumatic incident. The dog will show signs of pain immediately, so it is easy to recognize the reason why the dog isn't moving, but it still breathing. We can explain what happened to the veterinarian which will help to inform their diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

There are instances when the damage is not immediate or the signs of trauma are not initially obvious. This is the case with internal injuries which can make it difficult to relate the symptoms to the specific trauma. Dogs are good at hiding their pain, so it is important we are constantly observant for any changes to their well-being.

If your dog suffers any type of severe trauma, it is essential to go to the vet immediately. Move the animal very carefully and try to keep them still on a flat surface, applying pressure to any bleeding.

Shock is generally defined as the inability of the body to provide oxygenated blood and/or nutrients to a tissue. When this occurs, the organism cannot perform its normal metabolic functions and it will eventually die if allowed to progress. There are different types of shock, all of which are serious threats to the dog's health. They can cause the dog to become prostrate, even if they are still breathing. Shock requires immediate veterinary attention.

Among the types of shock in dogs are the following:

• Hypovolemic shock: occurs when there is a lack of blood flow to an organ, usually as a result of internal bleeding due to trauma, severe burns or other pathologies.
• Anaphylactic shock: characterized by severe hypotension that affects the dog's consciousness. It is caused by poisoning or an allergic reaction to food, medication or any allergen to which the dog has a sensitivity. Learn more about what to do if a dog goes into anaphylactic shock with our related guide.
• Septic shock: also known as toxic shock, the cause is a localized infection that spreads to affect several organs or tissues. There is a fatal prognosis if not treated in time. This infection can appear as a result of wounds, trauma or surgery, usually as a result of infectious bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic processes.

In any of these cases, you should try to keep the animal calm, prevent their body temperature from dropping (you can keep it warm with blankets or thermal bags) and go to a veterinary clinic or hospital as quickly as possible. In our related article you can discover what is the normal body temperature of dogs to ensure they are not hypothermic.

Paralysis of the dog's limbs can be an acute or chronic process, as well as being either temporary or permanent. This is another of the causes that explains why my dog does not move, but is still breathing. Depending on the severity and the affected limbs, the animal will have difficulty getting up from a prone position and walking normally.

Acute paralysis can occur due to a herniated disc or a spinal trauma that has injured the spine. This usually manifests as a result of the animal making sudden movements, landing badly after a fall or receiving hard trauma to the dorsal area.

Breeds with long bodies, are much more prone to these types of injuries. Such breeds include the Dachshund or Basset Hound. You should take extra care with these dogs by preventing them from jumping high or doing exercises that involve risks.

Other causes of limb paralysis include tumors that compress the spinal cord or nerves. Severe poisoning, immune-mediated diseases, meningitis, thrombosis or various infections can also result in temporary or permanent paralysis. In some cases, although they may be able to move, the dog may be wobbly when walking.

If this is the reason your dog is breathing, but not moving, go to your veterinarian as soon as possible. They can carry out the relevant tests to establish a diagnosis and carry out an appropriate treatment. They will be able to look at symptoms such as the dog's front legs giving out suddenly, something which can help inform their diagnosis.

During the warmer months, veterinary clinics often see several cases of heat stroke, something which can be very dangerous for dogs. Heat stroke in dogs is generally recognized by the following symptoms:

• Difficulty walking and lack of coordination
• Rapid and difficult breathing
• Excessive drooling
• Tachycardia
• Very high body temperature (higher than 104ºF/40ºC).
• Muscle tremors
• Blue mucous membranes (lack of oxygenation)

If you think your dog may have suffered heat stroke, you must act quickly. They could faint or start having convulsions within minutes.

If you notice that it is hot and your dog is not moving, but is breathing, the first thing you should do is keep them out of the sun. Place the animal in a cool place, trying to reduce their body temperature through fans, wet towels or ice wrapped in a cloth.

Pour water directly into the animal's mouth or onto their belly and paw pads. If the animal drinks on their own, do not allow it to drink a lot of water at once. Do not hydrate or try to lower the dog's body temperature too quicky as this can lead to thermal shock. Even if the animal improves, go to your vet as soon as possible to rule out serious organic damage.

Dogs are very curious animals and sometimes eat what they shouldn't. If what they ingest ends up being toxic to dogs, it can result in toxic shock. Such substances toxic to dogs include:

• Cleaning products
• Industrial chemicals
• Paint
• Rodenticides
• Antiparasitic drugs and insecticides
• Medications
• Certain plant species
• Certain foods

If a dog is poisoned by something, the first symptoms usually appear between a few minutes and a few hours after ingestion. This will depend on the type of toxic substance consumed and the amount ingested.

Typically, excessive salivation, fever, motor incoordination, difficulty getting up, diarrhea, bloody urine, vomiting, and an abnormal heart and respiratory rhythm appear. Spasms and convulsions occur in the most severe cases. We may also see that the dog is shaking and can't walk. Over the long term, some toxins cause lesions on the mucous membranes and organ damage, especially in the liver and kidneys.

When you know what substance has caused the poisoning, remove any of the substance from the vicinity of the dog. Take them to a quiet and well-ventilated area before calling the veterinarian immediately. Do not try to feed the dog, give them water or induce vomiting. The veterinarian may suggest the latter as an appropriate course of action, but not always. If the dog is going into shock, take them to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.

Also known as gastric torsion in dogs, gastric dilation volvulus (GDV) could be the reason a dog stops moving, but is still breathing. This is an acute condition which requires emergency intervention. It can only be resolved via emergency surgical intervention.

GDV occurs when the dog's stomach becomes dilated due to large quantities of solids, liquids or gases. The dilation causes the stomach to turn on its axis and stops these substances from being released. As the stomach grows in size, the rotation causes the blood supply to be cut off. This results in tissue necrosis and eventual death of the animal.

Although gastric torsion can occur in any dog, it is most common in large breeds or those with a tendency to eat a lot quickly. There may be genetic factors which influence it, as we can see in dogs with a deep and wide chest. It can also be influenced by stress. Symptoms of GDV in dogs include the following:

• Prostration
• Inability to walk
• Severe abdominal pain
• Respiratory distress
• Retching
• Clear distension of the abdomen

In the case of distension, you can feel that the dog's belly is hard due to the pressure exerted on the surface of the stomach. While the dog may still be breathing when not moving, it will start to become shallow or show other signs of respiratory distress. If you observe any of these symptoms, you should go to the vet immediately.

The main cause of this syndrome is the anxious and compulsive consumption of food, the performance of intense exercise after eating and the intake of large quantities of water in a short space of time. It is especially common after returning from a walk or doing sports. For this reason, it is important that you control your pet's diet and let them rest after meals, as well as avoiding play or going out to exercise if they have just eaten.

Although it is important to rule out any type of physiological illness in the animal, we must not forget that stress, anxiety and other emotional problems can also cause strange behavior in the animal. They greatly reduce their well-being and quality of life.

Dogs that have experienced trauma such as abuse or abandonment are more likely to experience emotional problems. This is common in dogs which are rescued from shelters. They are more likely to have lived in isolation or received poor socialization. These behavioral problems can lead to developing depression, apathy or learned helplessness. A dog suffering from these issues can start acting weird, including refusing to move or hiding. They may avoid activity out of fear of recrimination, such as physical punishment.

In this case, a canine ethologist must assess the animal. They will provide practical methods for addressing their individual needs, as well as working with the family to do so.

There are various conditions of varying seriousness which can cause a dog to stop moving, but still breathe. In these cases, we need to look at other symptoms which can determine whether the dog is in need of emergency veterinary medical intervention. Some other causes of this behavior include:

• Cardiac pathologies: such as heart failure which is common in very old animals, in certain predisposed breeds or in dogs with respiratory problems, such as brachycephalic dog breeds.
• Overweight or obesity: this causes many metabolic problems and significantly limits the dog's mobility.
• Bone or joint problems: such as osteoarthritis or hip dysplasia can affect the mobility of dogs that suffer from them.

Discover more about mobility issues in dogs with our article on why is my dog limping when walking, but not running.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to My Dog Is Not Moving But Still Breathing, we recommend you visit our Other health problems category.