8 yr mini dacshund not himself

Question
Yesterday a.m. my doxie did a healthy poop then I went out shopping.  When I came home he wouldn't sleep in his normal spots, I had to help him down the stairs - he was standing as stiff as a board (although I noticed his rear was shaking slightly, like he was nervous), when I picked him up (front and back) he yelped but I couldn't tell if it was from his stomach or his back or back legs. He is not his usual bubbly, happy, inquisitive self.  He is sitting with his back to us doesn't come up to us excitedly like usual. He just wanted to walk and walk around the backyard grounds and did pant a little.  He didn't eat his usual way.  I took him to the vet..they tested for pancreatic disease, it came back negative.  They gave him a shot for vomiting, though vomiting never happened before the visit.  His tail has been curled up like "Free Willy's" as if something is bothering him.  He usually sits on my lap but he is just laying in the living room not getting up.  He is not panting today but his tail is still curled, he is mushy.  He did get excited with tail wagging when he went on a chipmunk hunt but once in the house he got all funny again.  Not moving, no jumping, just sitting still.  Per the vet, I am feeding him boiled chicken and white rice - just a little, a few times a day.  They did blood work but no response yet.  I feel like his belly is hurting somehow but the vet didn't seem to know - she checked for back problem, felt for something in his belly, nothing there.  I notice when I go to reach for him or pet him, he shakes a little - I think he doesn't want to be touched because it hurts him.  I don't know what else I should do.  (I had been giving him Pedigree treats and now there's a recall for salmonella poisoning in their food- could these be symptoms?? I told the vet but she didn't suggest any checking for that) Oh his temperature was 101 something.  He doesn't cry, he's just still and quiet, although gets fidgety when I go to pick him up. And is happy just walking and walking in the yard. Any suggestions??

Answer
Your poor little guy is obviously in pain from something. It is probably best to wait for the results of the bloodwork as that may tell you something, but if it doesn't show anything, I would be tempted to try to get him into a veterinary chiropractor. Possibly he has pulled a muscle, or something has gotten out-of-alignment.

Is his spine straight all the way to the end of his tail? Or is his body making the letter C? Is his tail off to one side at an angle? Can he do full yawns, or does he abort a yawn? Can he turn his head equally and fully to the right and to the left without resistance? (He should be able to touch his side with his nose; be careful manipulating him... do it slowly.) He should be doing full body shakes from his head to his tail, and he should be doing full stretches fore and aft; I would think from your description that this is not happening.

Run your hands very carefully (lightly) over him and see if you can find an area that feels warmer than the areas around it as you search for his problem area. Pain areas often heat up more. If you do find a warmer area, ice it for 20 minutes two-three times a day. Be sure to have a light piece of cloth between the ice and the dog's skin.

Also, my experience is that a dog will seldom demonstrate pain while at the vet, but he might show it to you if you go over every inch of him carefully as you poke and manipulate gently. (This is a safety mechanism as an injured dog/wolf would usually be set upon by packmates so they become very stoic in order to protect themselves from further injury or death.) Watch for signs of pain, such as rippling skin, tightened muscles, squinty eyes, pulling away, etc.

http://www.avcadoctors.com/search_for_avca_certified_doctor.htm

If you are one of those who does not have a veterinary chiropractor within reasonable driving distance, I would go back to the vet and ask for X-rays. They won't show tissue damage, but might tell you something.