[mrsm24]

Hi everyone, my husband and I have a dachshund who is 1 1/2 years old. I really could use some help or advice about what is going on with her lately. It's kind of long, but if you think you could help me please stay with me and read!

So a couple of weeks ago our dog got sick. Throwing up, not eating, diarrhea, things like that. We've had her for 6 months and it's the first time she's gotten really sick with us. I had an appointment for her to get updated on her vaccines, but instead the appointment obviously turned into her getting antibiotics from the doctor. So by the time she was all done with her antibiotics, she was feeling and acting back to normal again.

But the confusing thing is, is sometimes she still acts "sick". Some mornings she won't eat, she'll shake, and she'll just kind of lay around. But other mornings she acts just fine and she'll eat and everything. So we have been so confused, and asking ourselves is she sick or not? So yesterday we took her back to the vet and we told them how she's been acting, and how some days she's fine, and other days she acts like she's not. They checked her over and she didn't have a fever or anything, so they felt confident to just go ahead and give her her shots.

So this is where we get confused! I don't know what's going on in her little head. My husband works during the day, so it's just me and her the majority of the time at home. If she's having an off day like I described above, she still gets very excited when my husband gets home. And then after he gets home, it seems like she just kind of goes back to normal. She gets really happy and will even start eating her food. Then for the rest of the day she pretty much acts fine. So I'm wondering if there is something that she has against me? I love her so much and I treat her like a princess. She was laying on my lap earlier and she was just shaking and shivering so much. I don't understand. So this might sound crazy but I'm pregnant with twins right now. Could this have anything to do with it?? We don't have any other children and she gets very spoiled by the both of us. Could she sense something is changing? I would like to add that not always does she act 100% fine when my husband comes home. But she does seem to usually do better and get a bit more spunky. Also, she loves to be outside and play. We live in an apartment so we take her to the dog park a lot. But since I have been pregnant with twins, I have been so sick and really not wanting to do anything. I used to play with her and take her on walks, but I've been so miserable it's been hard to do that with her lately. Also where I live the temperature has been between 100-105 lately so being outside lately isn't even enjoyable. But I know she loves being outside so sometimes I will let her out on the balcony and she does enjoy it. So I don't know if maybe my changed behavior from being pregnant is affecting her or what.

I'd also like to add that she was my brother's dog before she was ours, and my sister-in-law was very abusive to her which is why we now have her. My brother loved her to death but couldn't put up with how his wife treated her so he wanted us to take her. We've shown her so much love since then, and she's never really acted like it's affected her. But I just thought I'd add that just in case it has something to do with it.

Anyways I know this post is all over the place and a lot of information, but if someone could give their insight it would be greatly appreciated. Basically what it gets down to is I don't know if her days where she shivers, doesn't eat, and acts lethargic is a behavorial issue she's having or if it is indeed something physical. Like I said though yesterday the vet said she looked fine. But I will go back in there and make them look her over better if anyone thinks there might be something physically going on with her. Thank you so much for your help in advance!

 

[LynneMarie]

Welcome to the forum.
Yes and Yes..
Her behavior can be a result of you being pregnant and her ex mother. Just be patient 6 months is not a real long time for her to get use to you treating her nicely. I am sure she will come around just fine. When are you due? How do you plan on introducing her to the new family members?

 

[Rain]

I'd go for a second opinion. I think she needs an x-ray at minimum to see what's going on internally.

Shivering, lethargy, and lack of appetite all indicate something medical rather then behavioral. If the weather is just now getting that hot where you are that could account for the lethargy and lack of appetite. It's the shivering paired with the other two that has me concerned, unless she was always a dog that shivers.

She doesn't have anything against you. Most likely she perks up when your husband gets home because her excitement at seeing him again outweighs how she's feeling.

 

[harleyboysmom]

Did your Vet do a complete blood work up on her? Ask him to.

But most likely since she was treated so wonderfully by your Brother, she may take to your hubby more than you.

Just keep doing nice things with her, I know being pregnant and having a new dog is ruff, but it will work out.

 

[pkelley]

Did they do liver enzymes in the blood test and check for intestinal bacteria/giardia, etc via fecal ???? Keep washing YOUR hands and post her blood results if you can...

 

[Mjjean]

Of course, have the vet investigate further. But just tossing something out there for consideration...

You're pregnant w/ twins and I know the hormones have probably been all over the place. With the pregnancy and the 100+ degree temperatures I wonder if the shivering is because she is cold due to the air being on? I remember when I was pregnant I kept the house pretty chilled. Maybe the incident of her shivering on your lap was her being chilly and trying to warm up by cuddling.

 

[gerry]

This one is rather sticky, on the line between behavioral and medical, possibly even both. I assume she was affectionate with you before, so your pregnancy & behavior changes are likely upsetting her, especially given her history. The abrupt change with your husband being home supports that, even if it's not 100%.

A few items: how often do these days happen and, when she seems okay in the morning, is she then comfortable and affectionate with you? Can you play with her? When your husband is home, how does she behave with you, on both the good and bad days? On a bad day when you're alone, can you entice her into any activity that she likes? How does she act with other people?

On the vet another mentioned x-rays, but did she have any blood work when treated for the infection? That's gives a more general look at her condition.

I'm just fishing for anything that points more one way or the other.