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I think Bruiser is depressed

2K views 23 replies 16 participants last post by  pigeonsheep 
#1 ·
Hi everyone.

I started this account today because I wanted to hear an opinion from some other Chihuahua owners.

Bruiser my pup turned 1 in September. He is a wee fatty from being spoiled with rice, veges and meat as he was always a fussy eater. I lived with my mum for the first 9 months of having Bruiser and he was the perkiest most spunky little dog out. Full of beans. Tail was always in the air, barely ever any accidents inside, always excited to see people. He got along ok with my boyfriends female Pomeranian and Male Griffin and we would regulary take them to the dog park. Bruiser isn't very social with other dogs, even small ones but he enjoyed the dog park for the walking part of it.3 months ago I moved in with my boyfriend and his puppies. Bruiser was fine for the first month, a wee bit nippy from time to time which you can expect but he was happy. One day I came home from work, he crept out from behind the couch, poos all around his bum, was hesitant to come to me, i picked him up and he yelped and he was covered in some stinky yellow substance. I assumed the substance was urine from the male Griffin. He was in quite a bit of pain I was so upset I sent him to mum's to look after him for a week and he seemed to improve. Since then i have bought him back to my boyfriends place and he has been OK but not 100% happy. His tail is never up, he doesn't prance around the house, he doesn't go nuts when I get home, he hides under the bed, he always looks sad, he yelps a lot when you go to pick him up, sometimes he yelps before you pick him up and cringes like you are going to hurt him. I would never hurt my puppy I love him soo much and I want him to be back to his happy old self it breaks my heart seeing him upset. I have booked him in to the Vet tonight after work as last night he would not sleep with us and was very sore and sad this morning. I don't know if someone is hurting him, or one of the other dogs, or if he is just unhappy that he is not the only dog anymore. Just thought I would share and see what others thought. Thanks for reading the long story lol
 
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#2 ·
I don't know but I would be very concerned, you say you don't know whether somebody could be hurting him, what do you mean by this ??? Who has access to your dog who might hurt him ??? That would be the first thing I would want to know. If its a person they must never be allowed near your dog again, if its one of the other dogs then that's easier to sort with rearranging your home etc and never leaving them unsupervised. This thread has really worried me I hope you get to the bottom of it.
 
#5 ·
That is what stuck out to me too. Who do you mean by "someone hurting him" aside from the other dogs you mean? He could have been bullied by the other dogs enough to hide out long enough to poo and pee himself because he was too scared to come out. Its good that you are taking him to the vet.

I think it has something to do with the change of environment as you said he did better at your mother's house. Please update.
 
#9 ·
Well, I hope everything turns out okay. But, I would not let him have free roam of the house with other dogs if no one is home. Even if the other dogs are gentle, he could get hurt while playing, jumping off of furniture, eating something he shouldn't...the list goes on. It sounds like he got hurt in some way.

Please let us know how he is!
 
#12 ·
Thank you all for your opinions and comments. You are all thinking the way I am, I don't know many Chihuahua owners so it's good to hear from you all. By someone hurting him I meant the other dogs. The other dogs are very dominant, but seem OK when we are around them. The vet didn't tell me a lot, Bruiser was very sooky la la when I picked him up and snuggled me until the vet seen us. The vet gave me two options; give him a full check over, X-rays, semi-sedation, urine/blood checks etc. That was going to be $400.00. That is the option I would prefer but unfortunately this close to Christmas I just can't do that right now. The other option was a 10 day course of pain relief and seeing how that goes. I chose that option. After being at the vet and giving Bruiser his first pill he has already perked up so much! Last night his walking was a lot better and he had a happy face, tail even went up! He was almost back to his old self. I know it's only the first pill but it put my mind at ease a bit to see him looking happy. I am going to give this medication a go, and if there is no improvement I will find a way to get the tests done as Bruiser is very important to me. I will keep you updated with his progress but fingers crossed he was just a wee bit sore!
 
#16 ·
Your post only appeared after I asked how your boy is, I guess there is a delay since you are new.
I'm glad you went to the vet. Did the vet at least feel Bruiser's body all over?
Are you planning on going back after the holidays?
 
#17 ·
Yes my posts need to be approved first because I am new.

He seems OK today, still a bit low. It's hot here in New Zealand and he has been swimming in his little paddling pool.

The vet did feel him all over. Yes, I will take him back after the holidays as it is time for his vaccinations in January.

AND yes my name is from that song hahaha.
 
#19 ·
I am glad that he seems okay. I think if it were me I would definitely find a way to separate him from the other dogs while you are not home at least until you are sure they are getting along okay 100% of the time. Dogs take time to figure out each other and it is best if that is done under your supervision. Maybe give Bruiser a bedroom during the day where he can stay by himself if no one is home?
 
#20 ·
I second that opinion. Keep Brusier safe when you aren't there. Maybe a puppy playpen would help. He'd be safe, and you could put the pen where most of the activity is, so he wouldn't fee 'left out'. He's feeling better from the pain meds, so it really seems as if he had been injured by the other dogs. Maybe he got 'rolled' which is exactly what it sounds like. My chi was injured when 2 neighboring jack russells got out next door. They rolled her over and over. Fortunately only 1 bite mark, but her eye got a huge corneal abrasion, and her ear was very sore.
 
#21 ·
I agree with this.

It just sounds so odd to me, like one of them did hurt him. I would keep him away from them for a while, and do the playpen thing when I'm out, but still giving him a place to hide inside it (like one of those enclosed cat beds).
Good luck, I hope he feels better.
 
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