Yorkie screaming for no reason...

Question
Hello Dawn,

I am very worried about my 3 year old Yorkshire Terrier.  She has suddenly started doing constant, blood curdling screaming for no apparent reason.  She's done it several times today, she even wakes up doing it, even when there is no one near her.  I've checked her all over and can't find anything wrong with her, and either me or my husband are always with her, so I know she didn't get into anything.  She's also usually very playful, but for the last few days she mostly sleeps and walks around shrieking.  She also stopped jumping off the couch, which she always used to do.  My husband thinks it's psychological and ignores it, while I rush to her and pick her up.  She usually keeps screaming and shaking at the same time,and I don't know what to do to help her.  Please help!

Thanks,
Alison  

Answer
Hi Alison,  I'm sorry I couldn't get back to you sooner, but if you haven't gotten her to a vet yet, you do need to.  It sounds like something neurological has happened.  She could have pinched a nerve in her neck or back, or possibly compressed a disk in her neck or back.  They will shriek like that when something like that happens and one of the clues is when they stop jumping off things.  Hope this helps, and I hope she is doing better.

Dawn