My dog is shaking – is this a symptom of illness?
Sometimes the dogs seem to shake and shake all over, worrying their owners. Here are a few reasons why your dog might be shaking.
• Dogs get cold and shiver just like us, especially those with very short hair. This is why you see so many Chihuahuas in sweaters and why the little dogs seem to be shaking all the time.
• A shaking dog can also be a dog in pain. If your dog seems to hesitate before performing a normal activity, it could mean that something is hurting him. A backache or an upset stomach can cause a dog to shake.
• A scary dog is a trembling dog. If your pet is scared or nervous, it may tremble all over and run to hide. There are many dogs that are anxious by nature and often shake.
• Shaking and shaking that doesn’t stop may indicate something more serious than abdominal pain. Diabetes and kidney disease, among other serious medical conditions, can cause a dog’s legs to tremble. Tremors combined with weakness may indicate that there is damage or disease in the brain or spine. Poisoning can also cause tremors, which are usually followed by convulsions.
Now that you know some of the common causes of your dog shaking and trembling, you may be wondering how to tell one from the other.
• If you are cold and your dog is shivering, she is probably cold. They feel the chill in the air just as much as we do, so you might want to get a doggy sweater. They come in several sizes, are inexpensive, and keep your pet more comfortable. You can also help by letting your dog inside the house when it’s cold, or at least giving him a warm place to go. A bed that is sheltered from the wind and elevated above the cold ground is ideal, and providing a few blankets or an old comforter will give her something to burrow under.
• We all know our dogs well, so you are probably already aware if you have a dog that is prone to nervousness and anxiety. A dog that is nervous will shake when it feels threatened or scared, but will not show other signs of a problem. Dogs can have an anxiety disorder, just like people, and there are treatments and medications for them too. There is no reason for your dog to be a nervous wreck all the time.
• Dogs are great at pretending everything is fine, even when they are in pain. It is up to you as the owner to spot the subtle signs that your dog may be in pain. In addition to shaking, your dog may seem hesitant to move and refuse to jump or climb stairs. Obviously, limping and stiff movement are indicative of pain, and a dog that usually knocks you down for its dinner, that doesn’t want to eat, is probably hurt. Take him to a vet who can offer many different types of medications and treatments to keep your pet in pain.
• When tremors are due to something more serious, there are often some other signs of an underlying problem. Vomiting and depression are often seen in dogs with kidney or brain disease and diabetes. These conditions can also cause your dog to drink excessive amounts of water.
If you notice any of these latter signs and symptoms in your dog, in addition to shaking, take him to the vet. These diseases respond best to treatment when caught early.
Also, if you’re worried or the shaking seems to have no reason (or just won’t stop), take him to the vet just in case. Better to get a clean bill of health than possibly miss something serious.
The next article in this series will discuss coughing in dogs and its common causes.
We hope this article will help you learn to spot possible serious illnesses in your pet before they get out of hand.
Most of us think of our dogs as loved ones, and anything we can do to protect them from illness or injury is worth the extra reading. Spotting a problem and getting your dog to the vet in time to stop a serious problem is invaluable.
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