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Ask the Veterinarian/My chihuahua has been acting very strange.

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Expert: - 10/24/2010


Question
I have a ten year old male chihuahua. Recently he had an assist on his eyelid. We took him to the vet and they gave him a shot to make it go away. This isn't the first time he has had the shot. A day or two later after receiving the shot he started acting very strange. He is constantly shaking way more than usual. He starting to sit hunched back all the time. He usually loves to go underneath blankets, but now he won't go under them at all. He frequently looks like he is about to puke , but then holds it in. He just seems like he doesn't have as much excitement and life in him like he normally does.

Answer
I am guessing you meant a cyst? I don't know what the injection was but if it was a cortisone injection that could make him feel a bit off for a while.

The injection and his acting strange might not even be related since he didn't react for a few days.
He sounds like he is in pain, either his back or somewhere else. Sitting hunched is an outward manifestation of pain in animals.So is shaking in these little dogs.

You need to call the vet tomorrow and tell them how he is acting since the injection and then bring him in. They need to see what is going on with him since it might not be from the shot at all.

Do not give him any human pain relievers as they are deadly to dogs.
Call the vet in the morning first thing.

I hope he feels better soon.
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Just wanted to be sure of what you were referring to. An assist in my book is a hockey term as I am a hockey fan!

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

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Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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