Content
- Trembling dog: what can it be?
- out of excitement or fear
- Tremors as a symptom
- dog shaking with pain
- As a result of the cold
- dog trembling syndrome
- Tremendous dog depends on breed and age
There are many reasons that can answer the question “why does the dog tremble?”, from simple natural reactions to experienced sensations and feelings, to mild or severe illnesses. Therefore, it is essential to pay attention to your dog's behavior, attitude and movements, to notice any anomaly as soon as possible.
In this article by PeritoAnimal, we will explain the main causes that can cause tremors in the dog, read on and find the one that might be affecting your faithful companion.
Trembling dog: what can it be?
There are several possible causes that explain why does the dog shake:
- out of excitement or fear
- out of pain
- As a result of the cold
- Shaker's syndrome
- depends on race and age
- hypoglycemia
- Arthritis
- Distemper
- Intoxication or poisoning
- overexertion
- drug consumption
- Internal bleeding
Read on to know each one and know what to do in each case.
out of excitement or fear
Behavioral causes are usually the main reasons for the trembling in dogs. So, if your dog has just behaved well or has internalized an order and you rewarded him for it, and soon after he started to shake, it is likely to be a reaction generated by the state of excitement, joy and enthusiasm that you are feeling. Analyze his posture and behavior in general, it is possible that the tremor is accompanied by energetic movements of his tail and even crying.
If, on the other hand, the dog behaved negatively, you yelled at him for it, then he shrank back and began to shiver, it is because it is a response to the fear he is feeling at that moment. On the other hand, if fear is accompanied by stress or anxiety, tremors will happen more often. Don't forget that the puppy should not be reprimanded and that the best way to train him is positive reinforcement. Learn more about positive reinforcement in dogs in this article.
In this sense, not only can they occur as a response to punishment, but also for having spent several hours alone, which can be a symptom of separation anxiety, for having a phobia of very loud sounds and noises, such as an ambulance siren, thunder, fireworks or other phobias. In any of these cases, it is recommended consult a veterinarian to indicate the best treatment to follow. Remembering always that a dog is stressed or anxious is an unhappy dog.
Tremors as a symptom
In addition to the above causes, tremor in dogs can be a symptom of an illness or other health problems, the most common being:
- hypoglycemia. Small and miniature puppies, in particular, can suffer from a drop in sugar level, or hypoglycemia, due to their body mass. In general, when this is the reason, tremors are often accompanied by poor appetite and weakness. If you suspect this is the cause of your dog's shivering so much, don't hesitate to consult your veterinarian to raise your blood glucose levels as soon as possible.
- Arthritis. Is your dog's tremor localized? In other words, if, for example, your dog has only tremors in the legs or hips, it is possible that the reason is the appearance of arthritis or other diseases of an inflammatory nature.
- Distemper. Early in the disease, your dog may experience diarrhea, followed by changes in the respiratory system. You may have fever and loss of appetite and when you are at its most advanced stage. Dog with jaw tremor, as if you were chewing gum, may be a sign of distemper. If your puppy is less than a year old and has tremors accompanied by convulsions, nervous tics in the muscles of the head and feet, fever and loss of appetite, don't expect the symptoms to get worse. Take him to the vet urgently.
- Intoxication or poisoning. dog shaking and vomiting it could be a sign of poisoning. There are toxic substances and foods for dogs that can cause tremors in our dog as a result of the same poisoning. In general, this symptom is usually accompanied by vomiting, excessive salivation, weakness, diarrhea, etc.
- overexertion. Yes, in the same way that poorly performed physical activity or excessive exercise in us can cause muscle damage or other injuries, in our dog too, causing tremors in the affected area. Check out our article on recommended exercise for puppies and see if your dog's exercise intensity and time are right for him.
- drug consumption. If your dog is following any type of pharmacological treatment stipulated by the veterinarian, check the package insert to see if one of the secundary effects of the same is the presence of tremors. If yes, do not interrupt treatment without veterinary supervision.
- Internal bleeding. dog panting and shaking it could be a sign that he is having internal bleeding, which is one of the most common causes of sudden death in dogs. Some symptoms can also signal this type of problem, such as bleeding, lethargy, discolored gums and low body temperature.
If you suspect the reason your trembling dog whether it is the appearance of a condition or other physical problem, do not hesitate to go to the vet as soon as possible. Keep in mind that some of the above illnesses are mortals or degenerative.
dog shaking with pain
Has your dog recently fallen or jumped? One of the most common reasons that justify tremors in dogs is the acute pain. The best way to know if this is the cause is to carefully feel the areas that are trembling and watch your dog's reaction. Learn about the 5 signs of dog pain in this article.
As a result of the cold
Just as we shiver in reaction to low temperatures, so do dogs. Small and miniature puppies in particular, as well as dogs with very short fur, are not prepared to withstand very cold climates and, therefore, when exposed to low temperatures, their bodies start to shiver. It is a natural reaction that we can avoid by purchasing appropriate clothing for your puppy. It is very important to be aware of the ambient temperatures, to prevent our dog from suffering hypothermia.
dog trembling syndrome
Also called dog trembling syndrome or generalized tremor syndrome, usually affects smaller breeds and younger individuals (less than two years old) such as Maltese, Poodle or Westies, all of them with long white fur. Although the chances are small, this disorder can also be contracted by any other race.
The main symptom of this condition is tremor throughout the dog's body, caused by inflammation of the cerebellum. This syndrome is associated with the central nervous system, but the exact causes that cause it are still unknown. Thus, in addition to the tremors, the affected dog may have paw weakness and convulsions. If one trembling dog can't stand up, it is important to take him to the vet as soon as possible to have a diagnosis.
If your dog is staggering and out of balance, he may have neurological or orthopedic disorders, for example. Check out information on the subject in this article by PeritoAnimal: Dog staggering: what can it be?
Tremendous dog depends on breed and age
Finally, know that there are breeds with a tendency to tremble. Both Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers are prone to tremors for just about any reason, such as enthusiasm for a congratulation, joy at going out or taking a walk, or simply spending time with you.
On the other hand, age matters. Puppies of old age can tremble as a result of passage of time and physical deterioration. If you don't have any illnesses, tremors will usually occur while sleeping or resting, not while moving. When the dog trembles without being at rest and when the tremor is located, remember the section above, as it may suffer from arthritis or other inflammatory disease.
Whenever the reason could negatively affect your dog's health, you should consult the vet as soon as possible to determine the real cause that explains why your puppy is shaking and start the best treatment.
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