When do you decide to go to the vet?

I'm glad you called the vet. This would definitely make me take my pet to the vet. She is acting as if she were in pain. You said she isn't jumping up on things like she used to. You are doing the right thing. Vets, like people doctors, find it difficult to diagnose over the phone. I would let them do a blood test. Lots of things can be discovered from a blood test. Good luck with your little doggie.

Hi Tess, you sound so like me!! I have a male chihuahua and two female mixed breed chihuahua's and my german shepherd was stolen about two years ago. Getting back to your poor one, yes definetly take her to the vet because it could be internal. The vet knows what to feel for so definetly take her to the vet. Now there is a credit card that is truely a miracle to have when in need and it's called "Care Credit" which does not charge interest if the bill is paid in full by the end of the year. I have it now due to my siamese cat getting hit by a car and I'd be up a bad creek without it. Ask the vet about it and I'm pretty sure they'll know and help you apply for it. Let me know how it goes!

It is always better to be safe than sorry. I would take her in and have her checked if you haven't already. Then your mind will be at ease.

maybe it feels depressed or neglected? maybe she needs more attention and holding her more... how old is the chihuahua? maybe she has old age problems? watch her a little longer to see if she acts or reacts different from normal to see if you should take her in, or it is just psychological...

Taking care of animals specially cats and dogs are like caring for your babies/kids. When they are growing up you have to regularly bring them to a doctor. If your dogs are not sick the it will just be a routine check-up. But they have to be given shots like anti-rabies, etc. But if they suspect your dog has a problem, it is really necessary to perform some tests which as you have mentioned is expensive. But that is reality, everything costs much. If you doubt your vets diagnosis, don make him do the tests and ask for a second opinion.

is it possible she got "stepped" on by the german shepherd? The Purina.com has a vet answering question section. look there. i would make sure she is urinating properly, too. moving her bowels properly? do you notice anything with the urine or feces? are her eyes clear? does she like and want to be held? i'd watch ... the yelping may indicate pain...and this would be 48+ hours. for what it's worth, some vets will actually appreciate your telling them you are having financial difficulties. they would rather get a down payment make you stay away.

Since I have small pets which tend to hide their illnesses, I take them in immediately once something shows up. If you don't like your normal vet's procedures, try another vet that might be able to do the least amount of tests possible rather than testing for everything at once.

I would call the vet. Animals are instinctively stoic, they don't show pain/weakness. When my pets are acting differently I bring them in. Maybe your vet can work out a payment plan. I hope your little one feels better soon... Best Wishes...

Hi my friend I'm sorry to hear one of your babies isn't feeling right. My vet knows me so well, with my five dogs, that if I was in your situation and this has been going on for more than 24 hours, I'd at least give your vet a call. Most vets won't charge you anything to call to ask for an opinion. If the vet asks you to bring your chi into the office, explain to him/her first hand your financial problem and see if they can offer you some type of payment plan. If I have a problem with one of my kids and have to go to see the vet for something that to me is clueless, she'll usually say well we can do this and it will cost this much and then go one step at a time. or we can do this, this and this. She usually lets me decide how far I want to go with it. She knows I struggle financially and also knows how I feel about my dogs and that I want the best for them so we try to work it out. Fortunately, knock on wood, my furry kids don't get sick that often that they have to go to the vet. They are getting older though now and I suppose in the future I may be making more trips to the vet. Please keep me up to date how your chi is doing by private message if you don't mind. I always worry about friend's pets. I hope she gets to feeling better soon. Have a great evening, Char

Hi there! If my pets seems to be acting strange in a day or two I'd bring them to the vet just to be sure that theres nothing wrong them. Sometime I call first the vet and describe to him the situation and from there he can tell if its alarming or not. I think you should take her to the vet. You don't really know whats going on with her. Animals don't talk like kids so its more difficult to know what they feel and where it hurts. To avoid further damage on your pet better take her to the vet. Especially if your pet has medical history problems. Ciao!

Yes, if I felt an animal was in some kind of discomfort, I'd definitely take them in. Maybe you could explain to the vet you'd rather he didn't run tests which are probably unnecessary, just for the sake of it. Maybe the little dog has a thorn or burr stuck somewhere where you can't find it easily? Something stuck in her ear? It's good that she's eating and drinking, so maybe it's something simple the vet will find quickly. Good luck!

I go when they began acting different for days or you notice any signs of them being sick.

I just recently went on vacation to My Cousin's house, And brought my two Chihuahua's with me. My idiotic Mother dropped a retractable leach handle on my dog's head. Buster, The one it happened to, Now seems to be sqwaking in pain. I have taken him to the vet where they did numerous tests on him and nothing at all came back positive!! He was given a blood tests, One for general purposes and one for pancretitis. They took x-rays as well, They couldn't find anything! The problem is still there. I do not know what to do and I am going completely out of my mind!! I need frigging help with this. I am thinking it is a mental problem now with him. Everytime he has been hurt, He will sqwak, But this takes the cake. He has never yelped for no apparent reason this long of time. It is almost a week since this has been going on! He did this a few days when he fell on his head and eye off the couch last year, But got over it. He also did this whenever I would put him in my arms on his back, But got over it within a few days. This is just driving me insane! I want him to be alright and get over whatever fear he has. Jesus Chris, I wish someone would help me!