Chi acting strange in heat

Question
My Chihuahua is about 3.5lbs.  She has been in heat about a week. She was fine
until last night and started acting as if she is sick. Yelps when touched, lethargic,
shaking more than usual.  Is this normal behavior?

Answer
Hi Stacey...

I have to first off say that I am in no way, shape or form an expert on this topic since I only have experience with dogs that have been neutered and spayed.  I have had female Chis that have gone into heat prior to their spay surgeries and I never observed this type of behavior.  You don't say if there was anything that precipitated her behavior the night before...like another dog being with her, falling off of something, etc.  3.5 lbs. is tiny and fragile and I would want to consult with a qualified veterinarian who can examine her and make sure that she's okay.  That's a good time to discuss spaying her.  At 3.5 pounds, she can never be safely bred and with each heat that she has, her chances of mammary tumors increases.

That being said, shaking is often seen when a dog is in pain.  I take it that she wasn't shaking prior to last night.  Yelping when merely being touched isn't "normal" either.  Yelping because she was touched near her back end might be, but again....you want to have her examined by a qualified veterinarian to make absolute sure.

Jo Ann