my dog just isnt himself... advice?

My 6 year old maltese is just off lately... the day of/after the earthquake he seemed off but I just chalked it up to nerves. But since then he's still not himself... at nite he will sit on my lap, very stiff and just pant for no reason. Normally he will be right with me/my other dog when im home, but lately I will find him cowering in the dark in a bathroom corner while we are elsewhere. I let the dogs out back 2 nites ago to go to the bathroom, my one dog came back in after a couple min like normal, but quinn was out there for a good 15-20 min... when I called him in finally, he just sat down in the middle of the yard and stared at me, alone and in the dark. Normally he jets right in when I call him, I had to call him a good 5 or more times before he would. He's been shaking a lot too. Normally he shakes maybe if he's not feeling well, but the next day he's back to normal. This hasn't all been consistant, its mostly at nite and its been on and off since the earthquake. He's not lethargic or anything, still is a crazy man when we get home etc... he's going to the bathroom normally... I dunno if this is something to take him to the vet over or not? Im not sure what they could or would do... I don't want to seem like a weirdo bringing him in, but at the same time I don't want to ignore it if something IS wrong. I just want him to feel better advice? Has anyone had their dog act like this? What would u do?

Re: my dog just isnt himself... advice?

I would take him to the vet for blood tests to make myself feel at ease.
I feel it's better to know than to wonder.
I hope he's back to himself real soon .

Re: my dog just isnt himself... advice?

My guy was doing the "outside sitting in the middle of the lawn" thing a couple of nights ago. I just think he gets really hot and doesn't want to sleep inside. He'll be panting, jump off the bed, go to the hallway, then want to go out. If you're concerned just maybe give the vet a call? Sometimes they don't always tell you to bring the dog in.

Lots of luck