my 5 year old shitzu has started biting.

15 years ago

Let me say first that two weeks ago my 5 yr old shitzu ran away from home because someone set off some fireworks next door and it scared him. I found him after about 3 hours - hugged him, loved him and tried to make him feel safe. 4 days ago he suddenly became lethargic, not his usual playful spritely self and not walking just dragging himself by pulling with his front legs, he stopped eating, peeing and pooping. I took him to the vet - he spent 2 days there, they gave him the drip did xrays but they could not find anything wrong except that he does have a kidney stone but that was not the problem. They said that maybe he may have a slipped disc but they were unable to tell that from the xrays. He came home last night ate a little, drank water, we took him out and he did his poop and pee. He has however bitten both myself and my husband when we try to move him to take him outside or just to make him comfortable. It is just so hard to see him uncomfortable and not alert. To go a little further back - about a year ago he started biting for no reason - I would be petting him and just being his loving mum and all of a sudden he would growl and bite me. I am a little confused. I have done everything by the book bringing him up, trained him, loved him, corrected him all using the book I purchased on shitzus, and now with this "illness" his biting has gotten worse. I have to warn everyone who comes to my house not to go near to him and that is not good. I need help, I don't want to put the little guy down - I love him so much, he is our baby. Is there anyone out there who has had similar problems re- not walking and biting? please help

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Comments (5)

mwoods
15 years ago
Is your little guy able to walk on his own,with all 4 legs yet? It sounds like he is in pain..plain and simple. We have veterinary clinics here who do nothing but orthopedic surgery. Do you have anything like that in your area? I sure would keep searching until I could find an explanation for his pain. Dragging himself around by his front legs is serious.
annzgw
15 years ago
Did your vet not suggest you seek further help?? It's apparent he's not capable of treating the problem so call him and ask for a referral to a neurologist. If you don't have one in your area, find the nearest veterinary university and take him there.

Your dog could have had back pain a year ago when he started biting. I would not be concerned about the biting but definitely worried about his mobility. The longer you wait to have the problem taken care of the less his chance of recovery.

As mwoods said, he's probably in a lot of pain. Start making phone calls tomorrow until you can find a specialist and get him in ASAP. Try not to move him unless absolutely necessary and if he'll use it, fix up an area near his bed with some pee pads so he won't have to be taken outside.
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mazer415
15 years ago
Rest assured. It is not you. There is something physically wrong with your dog, he is in pain - no doubt about it.
I will let that sink in....
I would take annz advice to heart. If you can not find another vet who is willing to sit down with you and try and work out the problem, find another vet, or get a referal to a neurologist, if not - contact a chiropractor or acupuncturist. Good luck, nd please repost when you find someone and have figured out what is wrong.
ammand
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you all for your help. Today my little guy walked out the door to the yard, walked around the yard a bit and was so happy to be out but you could see the energy was missing. At least he walked. Tonight though, he has been whimpering so I know he is in pain. I have an appointment with the vet again tomorrow. He had a little dinner and drank lots of water with my help. I gave him half a baby's aspirin, I was told this is ok to do and that it would help with the pain. His eyes still look very sick, I know my baby is behind those blank eyes, I only hope this is short lived..
patches_02
15 years ago
What do you mean he has a kidney stone but that's not anything. A kidney stone is something and very painfull, especially if it's trying to pass. Our shih-tzu got stones and it was so bad they had to operate to get them. She was in a lot of pain.