Why is my Shih Tzu suddenly scared, shaking, and having accidents?

Aww, I’m sorry to hear about Daisy! I see this commonly with either pain or anxiety. These little guys can easily injure their backs and legs which can cause changes in behavior and the way they stand- as well as shaking. You may also notice Daisy avoiding the dog door or refusing to jump on beds/couches as she normally does. I recommend taking her in for a good physical exam to see if this might be the case. Hope this helps and best of luck to you and Daisy!

If only Jessie could talk! This type of behavior could be related to something like anxiety or to pain/discomfort. I recommend to have her examined by the veterinarian who will check for evidence of pain on the physical exam. They may also check a urine sample or the anal glands as well. Since she can't talk, it's best to play it safe. If this is behavioral, try taking her for a walk or a play a game to distract her. Best of luck.

If only Robin could talk! This type of behavior could be related to something like anxiety or to pain/discomfort. I recommend to have her examined by the veterinarian who will check for evidence of pain on the physical exam. They may also check a urine sample or the anal glands as well. Since she can't talk, it's best to play it safe. Best of luck.

Shaking and/or trembling can be a sign of anxiety or pain. I would recommend evaluating the environment Sissy is in and see if there is anything new or unusual that could be causing her stress/anxiety. If everything is normal then I would be concerned that Sissy is painful/uncomfortable for some reason. If this behavior continues for more than a day or so or Sissy stops wanting to eat or drink, then you should probably have her checked out by your veterinarian. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Hi, she is so beautiful and does not look her age at all. I wonder if she is feeling a bit anxious as she seems to settle when wrapped up. The increased thirst and urination needs investigating through a blood sample. Try to tempt her to eat and to keep her comfortable. Hope this helps and that she feels better soon.

Hello! I'm sorry to hear that Eleanor might not be feeling well. There are several things that I think of when I hear about dogs that are trembling or shaking. First, dogs that tremble and shake may be experiencing pain. Conditions like luxating patellas (kneecaps that pop out of place) and back injuries come to mind with smaller dogs like Bichons and Shih-tzus. You may not have seen the initial injury, but if they "tweak" an old or chronic injury, it can make them shake, pant, and want to be clingy, as they don't understand why they are hurting. Next, behavior changes in middle-aged dogs could be caused by metabolic disorders, like hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease. I would also expect to see other symptoms with these disorders, like weight changes and a poor hair coat, so if you see any other physical changes, this could account for Eleanor's shaking. Lastly, stress can also cause shaking and trembling behavior (like from storms or major construction going on in the neighborhood). I definitely recommend having Eleanor evaluated by a veterinarian for pain and/or other disorders before chalking her trembling up to a behavioral issue, as many conditions like pain and hypothyroidism can be managed with treatment, and she'll be much happier for it. Good luck, and I hope that Eleanor gets better soon!

Any abrupt behavioral change is a good excuse to get him in to see your vet. He may be starting to develop a medical condition that should be investigated but it's so early that the only symptom he is displaying is this strange behavior. There may be something happening periodically that is making him uncomfortable of the feeling comes and goes, but either way, it should be looked into by your vet. Your vet will do a thorough exam, possibly some x-rays and/or bloodwork, as indicated. Based on these results your vet will have a better idea what is going on and be better able to advise you as to what action should be taken.