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Our 6 yr old Shih-Tzu is having tremors in her head and neck. She has since developed excessive panting. We've had her to the vet three times in the last week. They've done blood work and nothing is showing up. They've done x rays to no avail. She has these tremors in her head and face only. She is eating, sleeping, drinking, and is able to use the bathroom. Her walking has increasingly got worse. They don't know why she is having these tremors. It's unlike what they've ever seen before. She has no temp either. They have given her a pain injection and today she got a mucles relaxing injection. They gave her low dose steriods and now a mucles relaxer. Do you have any idea what she may be experiencing?

Submitted: 251 days and 11 hours ago.
Category: Dog
Value: $9
Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION
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Optional Information

Age: 6; Female; Breed: Shih-tzu

Already Tried:
Injections-pain, mucle relaxer
Pills-low dose steroid, mucle relaxer
xrays-negative
blood word-negative

Accepted Answer

I'm really sorry to hear your little girl is having such issues. I know this may sound a bit mundane but did your vet check her ears? (I mean really check them thoroughly.) It could possibly be an equilibrium issue due to her tremors in her head and face. I also suspect this because of her eating, sleeping, temperature, etc. is normal but her walking is not right. I would recommend calling your vet tomorrow and asking him or her about this. (I would also ask that if you bring your girl back in for a second look into her ears that they do not charge you a full office visit since you have already been in 3 times in one week without a diagnosis.) I hope this information helps you. Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance to you.

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Expert: Heidi Chambers
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 3/16/2009

Vet Tech, Hosp. Mngr since 1990

Your friendly Vet Tech who's here to help YOU!

251 days ago.

Reply

They have checked her ears and there is nothing showing there either.

Posted by Heidi Chambers 250 days and 16 hours ago.

Answer

Hello. I'm glad you checked her ears. I do think the vet should do another exam deep into her ears where he or she can light and magnify into the canal. You can also try flushing them out but that is mostly for cleaning debris (it can't hurt.) If you don't have ear cleaning solution handy, you can use 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water solution. Don't use a q-tip but just a cotton ball to clean out the debris that you can actually see. Also, there are several reasons for shaking or trembling. Some reasons are caused by fear, nervous energy, sensitivity to cold, or even anticipation of certain activities. (Many of the same things that can cause people anxiety or to shiver from fear or cold.) Another common reason for dogs to shiver (especially the smaller breeds) can be due to being in pain.
The only other thing I can think of is more X-Rays especially if they X-rays were done only around her head/neck area. It could be her leg(s) or lower back. If your vet can't give you an answer, you may think about asking for a referral to a specialist. I wish I could give you more information but without seeing her, it is difficult to pin point.Keep in mind that this could be something as minor as a pulled muscle or a sore back in which it should heal itself. (She would probably be holding her head down low if it is her back.)
I will be thinking about your little one and hoping she is okay. I would love if you could let me know how it turns out. If I think of anything else I will let you know.

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