amy
dawsonville, georgia

Several problems can cause fluid to build up in the abdomens of cats or dogs.

Fortunately, one-year-old dogs have low rates of cancer and heart failure. They are the leading causes of abdominal fluid in older dogs, but are very unlikely to be playing a role in your Yorkie’s problems.

Trauma can cause blood or clear fluid to build up in the abdomen. But you don’t mention any traumatic events.

You do, however, mention that your dog has low blood protein levels. Low protein levels can lead to fluid build up in the abdomen through osmotic pressure.

There are three common syndromes that lead to low blood protein. A problem with the kidneys can cause them to excrete excessive protein into the urine. A problem with the intestines can cause them to lose protein into the feces. And a problem with the liver can cause it to produce too little protein in the first place.

A one-year-old Yorkshire Terrier can suffer from any of these problems, but the one that is most likely is inadequate protein production by the liver. Young small dogs are prone to a syndrome called liver shunt.

You should have your dog checked for a liver shunt. The first step in this process is ultrasound of the abdomen by a specialist. Conveniently, the ultrasound also will give insight into the health of the intestines.

I’d recommend that you arrange for an ultrasound as soon as possible. Certain blood tests that check the function of the liver also may be indicated. Finally, to be thorough, I recommend a test for protein in the urine (the test is called the urine protein to creatinine ratio).

Laura
Somerset, CA

Until you wrote to me, I had never heard of a French Spay. And a Google search revealed that the term isn’t commonly used. But after sorting through several worthless links, I found a discussion forum that seemed to offer the answer. A French Spay is an ovariectomy.

Normal spays, as every vet I know performs them, are ovariohysterectomies. In this procedure, the ovaries and uterus are removed from the body. In a French Spay only the ovaries are removed.

A French Spay will render a dog infertile and will eliminate heat cycles. Because the uterus need not be transsected, there is less risk of bleeding during surgery. However, a dog with an intact uterus will be at slight risk for uterine infections or cancer later in life.

If your dog was bleeding abnormally during surgery, a French Spay probably was a wise choice. However, I am worried about the abnormal bleeding. Bleeding like that doesn’t just happen–there has to be a reason.

Yorkshire Terriers and other small breeds of dogs are prone to a problem called liver shunt. This can lead to bleeding problems (and many other issues) in some cases.

I’d recommend that you pursue this matter further. Blood tests and diagnostic imaging may help to determine whether it is safe to correct the inguinal hernia that you have described.

Gail
Huntsville, AL

Probably not. Trembling is a very common–and very nonspecific–behavior in dogs.

You are correct that cold and fear are two of the most frequent causes of trembling. Other causes include but by no means are limited to excitement, hunger, muscle fatigue, nausea and transient harmless nerve impulses.

However, there are some more serious causes of trembling. Low blood sugar, liver shunts, certain forms of epilepsy and electrolyte imbalances are on the list.

If your dog is eating, drinking, and eliminating normally the odds that something serious is going on are slim. Nonetheless, I think a vet visit is in order to confirm this.

Gina
Lexington, KY

This sounds very troubling. Based on your description, several things could be going on.

First, the puppies might be suffering from adverse reactions to the dewormer. This is rare in general, but there is one exception. Collies are extremely sensitive to an antiparasite medicine called ivermectin. If the puppies are Collies, and if they received ivermectin, they may become quite ill and develop neurological signs including seizures.

Another possibility is that the dewormer that was used was not effective (some over-the-counter deworming medicines are not potent). In this case, heavy worm infestations may be causing weight loss, bloated abdomens and extreme hunger. Unfortunately, the seizures are hard to explain in this scenario.

Next, there is a chance that the puppies are infected with a disease such as distemper virus or corona virus. This occurs in puppies that have not been properly vaccinated.

Finally, the puppies may be suffering from congenital irregularities or hereditary problems such as liver shunts. These types of problems can cause all of the symptoms you describe.

I am afraid that I cannot recommend any home remedies or treatments in this situation. The puppies need to see a vet. A physical exam and tests (stool tests and blood tests) are in order for each puppy.