Dog shivering and limping

A painful paw, joint, muscle or bone can make a dog tremble and avoid weight-bearing. Fever, toxin exposure, abdominal illness or fear may also cause shaking. Check whether the limp began after exercise, whether there is swelling or a wound, and whether appetite, breathing, alertness or toileting has changed. Human painkillers can be dangerous to dogs.

Keep the dog quiet, warm and away from stairs or running. Look gently between the toes and at the pads for an obvious foreign object, but stop if handling causes distress. Do not massage a swollen limb, force walking or give medicines without veterinary advice. Record when the signs started and any fall, bite, heat exposure or possible ingestion.

Seek emergency veterinary care for collapse, severe pain, repeated vomiting, a swollen abdomen, seizures, pale or blue gums, breathing difficulty, suspected poisoning, inability to stand or rapidly worsening weakness. Fever with marked lethargy also needs prompt review. Shivering in a person has separate causes; see Chills for human symptom guidance.

Ask whether the limb needs imaging, which activity is safe, how pain should be controlled, and which changes should trigger an emergency visit. Mention vaccination status, existing conditions, current medicines and anything the dog may have eaten.