Shaking

My Small Dog 'Davina' has started shaking her head and body off and on of the last 2 weeks. She only stops shaking when you pick her up and hold her. Is it a small dog sydrome? Because she was the smallest pup in the litter. Its really strange because she has always been a really happy dog and very playful but now all she wants is to be held. Davina is desexed and an indoor dog who seems to have lost her funny and playful personaltiy and has become very dependant. Davina will now only sleep on my pillow next to my head and growls if I try to reclaim it. she has never done it before, she has always sleeped at the bottom of the bed. Any info would be great, Thanks.

[Krista L Gibson, D.V.M.]

I'm sorry your little girl is having some troubles.  None of us like to see our pets in discomfort.

My first question about the shaking would be is she shaking her head and the rest of her body shakes, too (which often happens with tiny dogs) or she she shaking all over as in trembling?  If she's shaking her head, I'd be looking in her ears for an infection and/or foreign body.  Those can be very irritating as well as painful, and dogs may shake their heads violently and frequently because of them.  This kind of discomfort can also lead them to act very needy.  The good news is that they're usually relatively easy to deal with once the cause is identified.  

If she's shaking all over, like trembling or muscle tremors, I'd be looking for either pain somewhere, metabolic or organ system disease, toxins or possibly central nervous system problems.  Definitely a more complicated problem than an ear issue, but until you've got some more information, I'd be guessing as to how it will shake out.  

Either way, it sounds like a visit to the vet is your best bet at this point.  They'll give her a complete physical, with special attention to her ears, and if it looks necessary, run some bloodwork or other tests which should give you the information you need to move towards some relief for the poor girl.  

Best of luck, and let us know what you find out!

[julie1963]

Thank you so very much, I will be taking her to the Vet asap.