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Why is my Shih Tzu puppy shaking and unresponsive? Is it a seizure?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Female | 8 months and 28 days old | 13 lbs

R dog is a shitzu puppy about 7 months female. She has been having episodes like going of to her self shaking looking around with nerves movements jerking and not listening or coming when called. She was out side in the night bye her self and the other dogs where asleep. She never gos out the dog door without her brother. And she asked like she could not here me at all. I wrapped her out and held her for 35 min and finely she went to sleep. Was that a seizure? And what can I do to help her if it

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Rodrigo Roca, DVM

Answered By Rodrigo Roca, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 29th, 2018

Hello, I am sorry to hear about Jill.

Some of the behaviors you are describing do sound similar to a seizure. Seizures can have a spectrum of severity, meaning that not all pets will have paddling like motions of their limbs or other typical signs of a seizure. More subtle jerking and shaking can be consistent with a seizure. Additionally, pets who are having a seizure are not mentally appropriate, meaning that they do not respond to stimuli (name calling, clapping, etc) like normal dogs. Seizures can have many causes. In a younger dog like Jill one possible cause is low blood sugar. I would recommend having Jill evaluated by a veterinarian so that she can be examined and further diagnostics (such as bloodwork) can be considered.

If you are able to I would recommend trying to take a video of one of Jill's episodes. Additionally, until she is evaluated by a veterinarian I would recommend keeping a log of when these events occur and how long they last. Jill should be seen by a veterinarian immediately if these events last longer than 5 minutes, she has multiple events within 24 hours, or she does not normalize between events.

Hope this helps, good luck!
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