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The information provided here is for general pet health education only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional veterinary advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here. If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately.
- Species & breed
- Dog
It's really reassuring to hear that Bijoux is otherwise recovering so well — that's a great sign! And it makes total sense that you'd want to get to the bottom of the trembling, especially when your gut is telling you it's not just nerves or temperature.
Here's some general information that might help you think this through.
A few things commonly associated with occasional trembling in small dogs:
- Post-anesthesia effects — General anesthesia can take several days to fully clear a dog's system. Mild shivering or trembling in the first week after surgery is something vets see fairly often as the body readjusts.
- Pain or discomfort — Even when a dog looks comfortable on the surface, there can be underlying soreness from the incision or the internal sutures. Trembling is one of the quieter ways dogs signal that something doesn't feel quite right.
- Low blood sugar — Small and toy-breed dogs (especially under about 10–15 lbs) can be prone to occasional dips in blood sugar, which can cause shaking. This is sometimes called hypoglycemia.
- Breed tendency — Some small breeds, including Maltese and Schnauzers, do tremble more readily than larger dogs, sometimes just from excitement or mild stress. But since you feel this is different from her normal, that instinct is worth taking seriously.
- Nausea — Some dogs feel a bit queasy after anesthesia or from post-op medications, and trembling can be one sign of that.
A few things you can observe at home:
- Note when the trembling happens — is it random, or tied to a specific time of day, activity, or after eating/not eating?
- Check that her incision site looks clean, dry, and closed (no redness, swelling, or discharge)
- Make sure she's eating and drinking normally
- Keep a short video on your phone the next time it happens — this is genuinely useful for your vet to see
When to see your vet:
Since Bijoux is only days out from surgery, I'd recommend calling the vet's office — not just a tech, but asking to speak with the veterinarian directly — and describing what you're seeing. A post-op check is completely reasonable to request. You know your dog, and "she seems scared or cold" doesn't sit right with you for good reason.
Go sooner (same day or next day) if you notice:
- Trembling that becomes more frequent or intense
- Lethargy, loss of appetite, or vomiting
- Any changes at the incision site
- Pale or white gums
- She seems painful or won't settle
You're being a great advocate for Bijoux — trust that instinct and loop in the vet directly. 🐾
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