Sudden trembling, barely eating, withdrawn?

[Mego1110]

Hi yall,

I need some advice! My sheltie has never been a big eater but I noticed that he hasn't even been eating a whole bowl of dog food lately. For the past couple days I have noticed him trembling. He is a pretty fearful dog, but he has NEVER trembled like this before. In fact, even when complete strangers hold him he never trembled. He has also been kind of withdrawn from me. Usually he is always near me but lately he has been either hiding in my room or hides behind the recliner. Every time we go outside he also shows a lot of interest in the grass. I did move to a new apartment a little over two weeks ago.

I took him to the vet today. The vet said he had tonsillitis. She also said that the reason why he has been licking the grass and stuff is because of other dogs around the complex in heat. Has anyone else's sheltie had tonsillitis and acted like this? I guess I am just a little worried it is a bigger problem but maybe not. The vet also mentioned that if it doesn't get any better to come back and get lab work done as well as maybe getting him on prozac. How do you all feel about prozac being given? Does it work?

I really hope it's just the tonsillitis that is causing all of this!

[Ann]

A move will trigger this kind of behavior in a fearful Sheltie. If he's been prone to nervousness, changing his environment will take some time and adjustment. Give him a little extra attention but act normally and he should be fine once he gets used to his new surroundings.

Is your boy intact? That would certainly explain his interest in the grass or females in heat. Or he could just be interested in the new doggie smells there.

I'm not familiar with tonsilitis in Shelties but perhaps some yogurt frozen in a kong or other toy might make him feel better. If all else fails, it never hurts to have some bloodwork done just to make sure there are no health issues.

Good luck and please keep us posted!

[biowicks]

The hiding behavior makes me think that your pup is having pain. Did the vet treat the tonsillitis? The following is from vetMD:

"Treatment: Acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis respond to treatment of the underlying condition. When a primary cause cannot be identified, treatment involves giving a broad-spectrum antibiotic for 10 days. Feed a soft diet consisting of canned dog food mixed with water to make a mush."

Does he have a temp? Could the trembling be chills from fever? i would think that if his problems stem from axiety over a move, they would have manifested before now.

If I haven't mentioned it before, I am a worrier when it comes to the health of my pets..I get it from my mom....

[Mego1110]

Thanks for your replies!

The vet gave him 10 days worth of antibiotics. I really think that it was just the tonsillitis that was causing this because he is starting to come around again. It just boggles my mind that dogs can also get throat infections just like we can! However, I do think that he is still adjusting to the move as well. I know that he also is missing his old roommate (a chocolate lab).

[labgirl]

Any respiratory infection that results in inflammation of the throat is really Kennel Cough. Vets sometimes call it all manner of things, but at the end of the day it is KC and that can make a dog feel pretty unwell. Symptoms can vary from being like a mild cold with a cough or sore throat, to the dog acting like it has flu and even being sick.

Anyway, it sounds as though he is on the mend, so nothing to worry about, but avoid other dogs for a while to prevent the virus spreading.