Ask the Veterinarian/whiney chihuahua

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Expert: - 10/28/2011


Question
Hi Jana,
How are you?  I have written to you before about wiggles my chihuahua.  This problem started about 1 week ago.  she started this short high pitched whiney sound.  She does this all day and night.  She also has a stuffed animal monkey she has had since I brought her home that she has been carrying around every where. Before this started the only time she would play with her monkey is when she would put it in front of her and how can i say this,go a mile a minute like she was her male partner,do you get what i mean? after she was done she would leave it alone till she wanted to do it again. But now she is carrying every where from room to room. on every piece of furniture she goes on, she has to also sleep with it.  When she doesn't bring it with her she will hide it till she comes back. I can't even go into the bathroom without her looking up at me and whining.  its almost like she is trying to talk to me thats what it sounds like.  My husband thinks she is doing it for attention or she is going into heat. She is 4 years old and has never done this before.  Believe me she doesn't need to beg for attention she gets alot of it all the time. She doesn't appear to be sick.  She is acting normal and barking when she hears someone come to the door and any other noise, she is a barky one.
Thankyou so much if you can give me some insight to what wiggles is up too.
helen

Answer
Is this dog spayed? If she isn't spayed, why isn't she spayed? The reason I ask is because this sounds like a typical case of false pregnancy in a dog that is easily cured once and for all by getting her spayed. There is no medical reason not to spay her and every reason TO spay her- her health being the foremost.

Unspayed dogs are 100% more likely to develop breast cancer than a spayed dog. They don't have these hormonal issues and are less likely to get out and hit by a car, not to mention the obvious unwanted puppies.

So if she isn't spayed, make an appointment and get her spayed soon. You will both sleep much better once that is done and behind you.  

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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.

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

Education/Credentials
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!).

Awards and Honors
Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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