Hello, Lona, thanks for writing in. Can you describe the shaking problem more? Chihuahuas tend to shake a lot normally, but if this is abnormal for him or he becomes recumbent and unresponsive during the the shaking and tremors, it is most likely a seizure. Sometimes seizures can be localized in certain body parts and doesn't produce the recumbancy or unresponsiveness. These are more difficult to diagnose. The best thing to do is keep a video camera or cell phone with video capabilities around and get the episode on video to show to your vet. A stroke is possible but is actually not very common in dogs. Shaking could be due to something he is nervous about or related to pain as well.
Is he on a good flea preventative from your vet (not from the feed store, walmart or petsmart)? If not, that is the first thing I would be worried about due to the location of the itching. I would try to get some Advantage, Advantix, Frontline, Revolution or Vectra from your vet to use for fleas, if not already on one of these. You should be able to get these without bringing your pet in to be seen. Often times you may not see any fleas. Allergies are also definitely a possibility. Benedryl may offer some relief from this, but not always effective. The fish oils are good. I would also try an oatmeal based shampoo a couple times a week, bathing for 5-10 minutes. Other issues that could be occuring are skin mites, ringworm and bacterial/yeast infection. These require veterinary examination for diagnosis, unfortunately. If the flea prevention, benedryl, fish oils and oatmeal shampoo don't work, you will probably need to bring him into your vet for an exam and possible skin tests. Please let me know if you have any other questions. Hope this helps.
Dog Veterinarian
7 years of clinical veterinary medicine and 17 years experience caring for household pets.
No this is not normal for him. It only started in the past 4 months. He seems confused, can't stand and then drinks a lot of water. I have tried everything you suggested - Advantix, bathing and Benadryl so I think it is time to take him to his vet. Just haven't done it because I am our of work and am having trouble even purchasing meds for myself. I just don't want him to be in any kind of pain. I do know that dogs can have seizures because a friend of mine's dog had them.
The shaking problem is through his entire body.......he quivers like he is freezing....it is not like he is just "shaking"......it seems to be more rigid and it happens 5 or more times a day.
Thanks for your response and if there is anything else you could add I would truly appreciate it.
Lona
I understand how difficult it is when you are out of work and have your own medical problems, but I really think getting him seen by the vet is the best course of action. Another thing to consider that I didn't mention before is that this could be Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. This is a condition that is similar to Dementia in humans. Often times, dogs with this condition will become more detached from the family, wander around aimlessly, often bark at nothing, stare into space, may change sleeping habit and may forget some of their training, like potty training. Here is website where you can read more about this disease.
http://www.lbah.com/cds.htm
Unfortunately, there isn't a good way to diagnose it. Diagnosis is usually based on clinical signs and ruling out other disease processes. There is medication for this ailment, but it does tend to be a little more on the expensive side.
Thank you............the dementia sounds more like it. He will just run back & forth, doesn't want to sleep on my bed anymore, has started peeing in the house, just stands and stares. He has lost his hearing and am sure is vision is cloudy. I will check out the website and also contact his vet.
Thanks so much for helping me understand what is going on with him......he has been a GREAT companion.
Have a great holiday season!
I checked the web page you sent me to and below are all the symptoms my dog is having and it does seem to be CDS or dementia.
Also, I live in Florida and maybe need to treat him with Advanta year-round because his symptom is from allergic dermatitis from fleas.
Again, I can't thank you enough for your help. I have been giving him a lot more love and comfort (hold him during shakes and stroke him) since I'm not sure if he really knows who I am any longer. He does not respond when I call him or clap my hands so I also thought he has lost his hearing, but maybe it is just part of the dementia.
Have a great holiday season!!!
Forgot to send you the symptoms he has that I got from the website.....bold is all he demonstrates. I will accept for payment.
Disorientation(not due to vision or hearing loss)
Wanders aimlesslyAppears lost or confused in familiar surroundings such as the house or yardGets "stuck" in corners or under or behind furnitureStares into space or at wallsHas difficulty finding the doorStands at the wrong door to go outsideStands at the "hinge" (wrong) side of the doorDoes not recognize familiar peopleDoes not respond to verbal cues or their nameAppears to forget the reason for going outside
Increase in aimless activity (such as wandering, and pacing) in a 24-hour day
Housetraining (for dogs previously housetrained)
Has "accidents" (urinates or defecates) indoorsHas "accidents" indoors in view of family membersHas "accidents" indoors soon after being outsideSignals less to go outside (for dogs who previously signaled/asked to go outside)
Solicits attention lessLess likely to stand/lie for petting (walks away)Less enthusiasm upon greetingNo longer greets family members (once the dog has realized that family members have arrived)
polyuria (urinating more),
Reduced tolerance to cold
In this type of seizure the brain is reacting to a problem elsewhere in the body.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) - twitching muscles
Flea allergies routinely cause hair loss at the lower back area (called the dorsal-lumbar area), which is not typical of atopy and food allergy.
I definitely think that cognitive dysfunction is high on the list. It doesn't explain his skin problems, but it definitely explains the tremors. Glad I could help you. Please let me know if you have any other concerns. If I have answered all your questions and you are happy with my help, please click Accept. Thanks.
Texas Vet