What are the symptoms of a dog with a broken back?

This all depends on how badly it is broken and where the break is. The symptoms can range from poor balance and difficultly turning their head, opening their mounth, eating, swalling, drinking, and holding their head up. To not able to feel their legs and paws, control their bladder, and bowels. They wouldn't be able to stand, or crawl. Sometimes only the back part of the body is what suffers from the break and then they can pull themselves along with their front paws, dragging their hind quarters, this is very confusing to see because at first sighting they appear to be playing. Most of the time breaks such as these don't cause pain in the limbs, but some at the site with swelling. But it can be hard to see, especially if you aren't there when the accident happens and your animal is overweight. It is a terrible injury for anyone to sustain, but for an animal that doesn't understand why he can't do what he once could it can break your heart if you let it. But don't let it, they can and do recover, I know! I had to carry her up and down the stairs to go out, but she walked, ran, and played for years after her injury (minus the jumping)! If you suspect your animal of has this injury please take them to a vet. ASAP! Most vets. will work with you, and the Meds. we took weren't that costly. Good Luck!