My Dog Is Shaking:
8 Possible Reasons
Why Your Dog May Have the Shakes
Do you see your little fur ball shaking and wonder why? Does it worry you? You should know that tremors are involuntary and rhythmic muscular contractions, only visible on a conscious living being. They can then have extremely varied origins, benign or serious. In fact, there are two main types of tremors: those that only occur when the muscles are used, and those that are visible even when the muscles are at rest.
1. It's too much emotion!
Tremors in dogs are most often bodily manifestations of certain emotions such as fear, stress and anxiety. Generally, these tremors stop when your companion is reassured.
2. Is your dog young, small and white?
On the other hand, if you have a young Maltese or West Highland White Terrier that shakes a lot; rest assured, shaking is very common in these dogs! In fact, small white dogs are prone to what is called "Trembling Dog Syndrome". This inconvenience is due to an inflammation of the nervous system of autoimmune origin, and manifests itself by trembling when your dog is stressed or lifted off the ground. Benign, this syndrome can be relieved thanks to a treatment prescribed by your veterinarian, and the symptom stops when your companion reaches his three years.
Credits :Aliaksandr Bahdanovich / IStock
3. He's shivering from the cold!
As with humans, when a dog's body temperature drops, the muscles contract to warm the skin.
When a dog falls asleep, his body also cools down, which can cause him to shiver. In addition, there are also startle reactions ("hypnic jerk"), which results in a sudden movement, sometimes bringing your pet back to reality when he is sleeping. Impressively, this reaction is natural and without consequence.
4. Your pet is tired, or in pain...
If your dog is shaking, it could also mean that your friend needs to rest! Indeed, fatigue is a factor in shaking.
Moreover, shaking can be linked to a pain caused by a physical trauma (fall, shock...)... Be aware of your pet's health condition; is he in good shape? Has he had a physically or emotionally exhausting day? To find out, gently touch all parts of his body and be attentive to any abnormal reaction that could indicate pain.
Credits :Photoboyko / IStock
5. Your dog is old... or big
As we age, our bodies become weaker, especially our muscles and joints. Older dogs often suffer from muscle atrophy in the lower limbs. This translates into tremors in the back of your pet when it is standing. Therefore, only sitting and resting can relieve your little grandpa (or grandma! ).
Also, if your dog is a Great Dane, Mastiff or other large dog, tremors are naturally common.
6. It's a side effect of a medication
It is not uncommon for dogs on medication to suffer from tremors. In fact, some medications have a side effect of shaking, especially those used to treat anxiety.
If your pet is under treatment, you can check the main molecules with undesirable tremor effects:
buspirone - fluoxetine - clomipramine - Phenobarbital - Metoclopramide - subarachnoidal injections of morphine and local anesthetics - Doxorubicin
Credits :damedeeso / IStock
7. Your pet suffers from intoxication
Here is a non-exhaustive list of what can cause tremors following intoxication:
Permethrin - Organophosphates: insecticides with cyothioate, diazinon, fampfhur, fention, phosmet, and tetrachlorvinphos - Metaldehyde: anti-slug product - Mycotoxins - Chocolate - caffeine, amphetamine - nicotine - Avermectins: ivermectin - Macadam nuts - Lead - petroleum products - rat poison (rodenticide:bromethalin) - Antifreeze (ethylene glycol)
8. It may be a symptom of a much more serious disease...
If none of the "common" reasons listed above seem to correspond to your friend's current condition, if his tremors persist and if they are accompanied by other symptoms, it is urgent to go and see your veterinarian. Indeed, many diseases, various and varied, cause tremors. Only a professional will be able to diagnose your pet and accompany him in his illness.