Unusual behavior... please advise!

[PorkysDaddy]

Thank you for all your kind advice... I actually took some video before going to the vet last night (I thought I was being a little obsessive --- I'm glad that some other people would have done the same thing!). I called my vet and he told me to watch him for another day or two... He said that Porky could be coming down with (or getting over) something, and if things don't improve or get worse we'll take further steps. I will definitely insist on the blood/liver and neuro tests that you all suggested. Porky's symptoms are not very severe (I saw some videos on YouTube of fly biting, and he's not doing that)... It's almost like what he does when his bangs get too long and he moves his head tying to look at them...

I may just be overreacting (Porky is my first dog). Thank you all again for your advice! I will let you know how things go over the next few days.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by PorkysDaddy

...My puppy, Porky, is about a year old, and Sunday night he started acting unusual... He moves his head back, kind of like if he was watching a fly go by, and then he looks forward and does the same thing again... He also trembles for a while, sometimes for 5-10 minutes... I hold him and pet him and the trembling goes away after a while. He's also breathing kind of rapidly through his nose, kind of like "sniff-sniff-sniff-sniff-sniff"... He's not playing much, but prefers to sit on the floor or couch next to me, and he's not playing with his toys much any more.
I gave him his Interceptor heartworm medication on Saturday AM, but he didn't start this behavior until Sunday night.

I took him to the vet last night and the vet told me to monitor him for the next few days. Has anyone else seen this kind of behavior? I took him for a walk before this started Sunday afternoon... Could it be from pesticides in someone's lawn? The heartworm medication? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Originally Posted by kjc

If you are not at the vet's yet...

How frequently does he do this behavior with tilting the head up, sniffing?

Is he not playing at all since Sunday nite? Did he fall or jump off a couch or bed before this behavior started?

Is the "sniff, sniff sniff " loud, or soft sounding? Any gagging, hacking sounds?

Does he seem 'lost' or is he very cognisant of his surroundings?

Is he eating/drinking normally? If these are episodes (the behavior stops for a while then starts again) do they occur soon after he eats a meal?

It worries me that he is not playing, and that you are a new Yorkie owner.

Yorkies have congenital and genetic problems, and a few of the symptoms you have described fit these disorders.

I don't think the heartworm meds are the problem, because it was in his system too long before he started with his symptoms.

The disorders are Liver Shunt, AAI, Chiari. The last two can be very severe, if they go undiagnosed. If they look sideways, they can damage their spinal cord and die within seconds. With Liver Shunt, toxins build up in their system till they overflow into the brain and cause odd behavior, and seizures... which can cause death.

And this is why I sincerely urge you to take him to a neurologist ASAP.

The only thing you could tell me that would make me feel better is that your vet is a very experienced small dog specialist and is very current and up-to-date with diseases and disorders specific to Yorkshire Terriers.

Vets who do not treat Yorkies regularly may misinterpret or overlook these symptoms. It is always best to err on the side of caution when any neuro symptoms/odd behaviors are present.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by PorkysDaddy

Thank you for all your kind advice... I actually took some video before going to the vet last night (I thought I was being a little obsessive --- I'm glad that some other people would have done the same thing!). I called my vet and he told me to watch him for another day or two... He said that Porky could be coming down with (or getting over) something, and if things don't improve or get worse we'll take further steps. I will definitely insist on the blood/liver and neuro tests that you all suggested. Porky's symptoms are not very severe (I saw some videos on YouTube of fly biting, and he's not doing that)... It's almost like what he does when his bangs get too long and he moves his head tying to look at them...

I may just be overreacting (Porky is my first dog). Thank you all again for your advice! I will let you know how things go over the next few days.

Not overreacting , these can be symptoms of some very serious conditions so please keep a close eye on your baby. If not better in a day or 2 or symptoms change or get worse get to a vet ASAP as these conditions can be fatal if not treated promptly and properly.