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What does it mean if my (chihuahua/maltese) is breathing prety heavy. shaking and seems to be having diarhea?
Hello, welcome to JustAnswer! I am a licensed veterinarian, and I'll be happy to help you in any way I can. To be able to help you, I'll need to know a little more information about your dog. How old is he or she? Has he or she had any vaccinations? Has he or she been around other dogs of unknown health status?
My dog is a female and she is 4yrs old. No I have not kept up with her vaccinations unfortunately and my big dog did died recently (its been about 2mths) from what I believe was heartworms but she was never around him.
Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes, so direct contact would not have been needed. Heavy breathing and shaking can be signs of heartworm disease. A dog who isn't up to date on vaccinations, and "seems to be" having diarrhea, could be considered at risk for Parvo virus, which is an intestinal virus that is very easily contracted by dogs without adequate vaccinations. Shaking can occur due to pain, anxiety, fear, or imbalances in electrolyte levels, which can occur secondary to digestive upset. It sounds to me like this little girl is in need of veterinary care as soon as possible. Her signs of illness are quite vague and non-specific, meaning that some tests will need to be done to determine what is wrong, and how to treat her.
Experience: Small Animal Medicine and Surgery