Expert: Delores Beck - 8/28/2010

Question
My cocker Is not acting her self, She shakes like is she
cold. She usaully follows me every where I go, But she isnt.
She just lays there. When she go's out for potty she gets
down to the last step and she lets out a little yelp. We
have checked her paws and have cut her nails. She is eating
and drinking and shows no signs of having problems going to
the bathroom. Just at a loss of whats wrong with her.

Answer
Get to the vet.  Shaking is a sign of pain and this is every sign of a disc problem.  Confine her immediately...ask your vet for some pain meds if he can't see you today.
He should do a full exam - take x-rays - and you need to keep a close eye on her.  Under no circumstances let her run, jump, or go down/up stairs.  Carry her and put your arms "under" her and keep her spine level..setting her down carefully.

Minor disc problems can be treated with extreme crate rest and pain meds.  Bigger ones need surgery and fast.
If at any point she shows signs of neurological deficit..knuckle dragging, can't use hind legs...get to the ER immediately and hope they have a great neurosurgeon.  Time is of the essence if that happens.

Let me know what happens.  I've just been through this myself.