Why is my dog ​​trembling and what should I do?

The dog is shaking and breathing rapidly

If the dog is overheated, you need to place it in the shade, spray it with water or cover it with a damp cloth, and try to give it a drink.
Old dogs are susceptible to natural physiological tremors and shortness of breath due to a weakened diaphragm. Also, such symptoms may indicate the development or presence of a disease. Trembling and difficulty breathing are possible with hypoglycemia (a sharp jump in blood sugar levels), household or food allergies, a diseased heart, hormonal imbalance, metabolic disorders in the body, infectious and viral lesions, injury, heat stroke.

You can judge the condition of the animal by the totality of all the symptoms that appear - fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, indigestion, impaired coordination, the dog does not find a place for itself, etc.

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It is important not to miss warning signs and seek veterinary help in a timely manner. A favorable outcome depends on the correct diagnosis and the implementation of correct treatment.

Trembling in animals occurs due to various reasons. Provoking factors can be harmless or dangerous to health. The degree of danger is assessed based on the totality of all symptoms that appear.

Allergic reactions and poisoning

Typically, the easiest pattern to detect is one associated with a specific type of food or drug. Then, most likely, the dog is shaking due to an allergic reaction or poisoning. With allergies and intolerance to some substance, redness sometimes occurs. It is possible that the animal will try to scratch the place where it appeared. Poisoning can be accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting, apathy and general weakness.

What to do? Of course, it is best to stop taking the product or medication if it causes discomfort and tremors. See if the situation improves if you eliminate what your dog's body cannot tolerate. If there is no change for the better, you should consult a veterinarian. For allergies, antihistamines are often prescribed.

What symptoms along with trembling should you contact a veterinarian for help?

Trembling (tremor) is a rapid, uncontrolled contraction of the muscles of the limbs or the entire body. The symptom is a consequence of the dog’s painful or emotional state. The cause of trembling may be natural, for example from cold.

Trembling is caused by:

• failure of electrolyte balance in the body;
• intoxication;
• neurological disease;
• allergy;
• hormonal imbalance;
• hypoglycemia;
• infection by parasites or viral infection;
• stress;
• injury;
• a sharp decrease in calcium in puppy dogs;
• overheat.

With an electrolyte imbalance in the body, the ratio of potassium and magnesium levels is disrupted; malnutrition and impaired functioning of the thyroid gland and kidneys can provoke a malfunction. Characteristic symptoms are trembling, low blood pressure, pale mucous membranes, irregular pulse, elevated temperature - the dog tucks its tail and shakes as if frozen, convulsions are possible.

Intoxication is caused by spoiled or unsuitable food for dogs, ingested chemicals, insect bites, and snake bites. Tremors, difficulty breathing, high blood pressure, low or high temperature, copious saliva, and foam from the mouth appear. Diarrhea and vomiting with blood may occur. Coordination is impaired, mucous membranes change color - they turn blue or red.

Epilepsy provokes severe convulsions, the dog sticks out its tongue. Typical symptoms include restlessness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, trembling of the whole body, and fainting. The provocateurs of the disease are head injuries, exposure to an electric discharge, severe intoxication, and a hereditary predisposition to the disease is possible.

Trembling may occur together with typical allergic symptoms (inflammation of the skin, itching, discharge from the eyes, ears, nostrils, frequent bowel movements, etc.).

A lack of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) is manifested by trembling, weakness, rapid heart rate, rapid weight gain, skin diseases, excessive shedding, diarrhea or constipation.

Hypoglycemia causes diabetes; a decrease in glucose levels provokes trembling, weakness, loss of appetite, excessive salivation; in severe cases, convulsions, fainting, and paralysis are possible.

Trembling, along with other symptoms, is caused by infectious and viral diseases. The painful condition is often manifested by fever, stool disturbances, vomiting, and cough. Bladder infections and kidney disease cause frequent (sometimes unsuccessful) urges to go to the toilet, incontinence, and discoloration of urine. When infected with worms, frequent trembling appears, body weight decreases, digestion is disrupted, the stomach increases in volume, and the animal’s mouth smells unpleasant.

Trembling is characteristic of a nervous disorder, when experiencing stress, the dog begins to tremble, this is possible when the usual environment changes, the dog may be restless or apathetic, begins to whine, howl, refuse to eat or demonstrate an unhealthy appetite.

Trauma can lead to neurological pathologies, shock accompanied by trembling, increased breathing, cold extremities, and pale gums are possible.

Trembling in pregnant or whelping bitches is caused by eclampsia - a significant decrease in calcium, leading to a malfunction of nerve cells. The appearance of vomiting, high fever, and breathing problems indicate the need for urgent contact with a veterinarian. Until the mother's health is restored, the puppies are transferred to artificial feeding.

Overheating in dogs occurs in the summer; prolonged exposure to the sun risks heatstroke. A similar effect is possible in dogs left for a long time in closed cars when it is hot outside. In addition to trembling, dogs experience breathing problems and weakness.

Associated symptoms indicating a painful condition:

• high or low body temperature;
• diarrhea;
• vomit;
• changed color of urine;
• allergic reactions;
• change in color of mucous membranes;
• breathing problems;
• change in behavior (aggression, apathy);
• weakness, drowsiness, poor appetite, thirst;
• lack of coordination;
• loss of consciousness.

Any of the listed signs obliges the owner to pay close attention to the health of the pet and promptly contact a veterinarian.

Reasons for appearance

There are many reasons for the occurrence of an unpleasant phenomenon. Some of them are easy to eliminate.

For natural causes of trembling, unlike pathological ones, your pet will not require treatment.

However, there is a risk of a normal reaction turning into a pathological one if the provoking factor acts on the dog very often and its body stops reacting to it correctly due to overload.

Cold

The most common reason why a Yorkshire Terrier starts to shake. The dog, despite the abundance of hair, is frozen, like all miniature breeds.

The lack of dense undercoat makes the pet defenseless against adverse weather conditions..

In the fall, before the start of the heating season, when it becomes cold not only outside, but also in apartments, the animal freezes and trembles almost constantly if no measures are taken.

If you do not pay attention to the effects of cold on your Yorkie for a long time, he may catch a cold and shiver from the elevated temperature.

In the fall, before the start of the heating season, the dog freezes indoors, so it needs clothes or a heater . It is better to dress up a Yorkshire Terrier at home not in overalls, but in warm sweaters.

They are more comfortable and, due to the lack of waterproof fabric, will not be stuffy.

Anxiety and stress

Excitement for small dogs is usually a strong mental burden, which they cannot always cope with . Because of this, muscle overtension develops, which provokes severe tremors.

As the anxiety passes, normal muscle tone is restored.

Stress is one of the pathological causes for trembling . With it, the dog cannot cope with its emotions for a long time, which is why it shakes violently for quite a long time.

Stress can be triggered by the appearance of strangers in the house, moving, loud noises, introducing a new pet, an exhibition or a trip to the veterinarian.

To speed up the restoration of a normal state, it is useful to give the dog sedatives, and the veterinarian will tell you which ones specifically..

Pregnancy

Pregnant dogs begin to tremble before giving birth.

Most often, the paws shake intensely, but trembling throughout the body can also be observed. This phenomenon is physiological. It is associated with the beginning of an active increase in the tone of the uterus and the appearance of pain.

The condition does not require intervention and indicates the beginning of the labor process.

Poisoning

Poisoning causes chills in the animal, which causes it to begin to shake. A dog can be poisoned not only by poisons, but also by food if it is spoiled.

Food poisoning in Yorkshire Terriers has symptoms similar to what happens in humans.

It is accompanied by nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The dog experiences weakness and chills.

Signs of poisoning by toxic substances depend on what kind of poison has entered the pet’s body.

Treatment is required urgently . It requires the help of a veterinarian. You cannot postpone a visit to a specialist.

Allergy

Allergic reactions in miniature dogs are not uncommon.

Skin itching and general malaise cause a sharp deterioration in the animal’s condition, causing it to begin to shake intensely.

Treatment should be carried out immediately as soon as a violation is noticed.

This problem cannot be cured without a veterinarian.

Diseases

Illnesses are often accompanied by trembling in the dog. Seeking treatment is necessary urgently, since some pathologies can kill the animal within a short period of time.

The following symptoms indicate that the Yorkshire Terrier is sick: trembling, more reminiscent of convulsions; Pet lethargy, loss of appetite, discharge from the eyes, ears or nose, and digestive problems .

What procedures does the veterinarian prescribe?

Appropriate treatment is prescribed by a veterinarian after the cause of the trembling is determined; sometimes it is necessary to undergo an examination and obtain test results.

In case of electrolyte imbalance, intravenous administration of a water-salt solution is required. To avoid further problems, you need to examine the thyroid gland, kidneys, and carry out proper treatment of the identified diseases.

In case of food poisoning, first aid can be provided to your pet at home; the dog is induced to vomit, given an absorbent, and provided with plenty of fluids. If the cause of intoxication is not clear, the dog should be shown to a veterinarian. Gastric lavage, intravenous drips, and the use of antispasmodics, antiemetics, homeopathic and cardiac medications may be required.

For animals suffering from epileptic seizures, the veterinarian prescribes antiepileptic drugs and anticonvulsants.

To eliminate allergy symptoms, antihistamines are prescribed; in some cases, antibiotics and the use of hormonal and antifungal drugs are required.

In case of hypothyroidism, the deficiency of hormones is compensated for with hormonal drugs, the dosage of which is calculated only by a doctor.

In case of hypoglycemia, glucose injections are given; advanced disease requires thorough treatment; failure to provide timely assistance threatens hypoglycemic coma and death of the animal.

Depending on the virus or infection, different drugs are prescribed; these can be antibiotics and vitamins, mucolytic cough suppressants, immunostimulants, antiviral injections and other medications. In the fight against worms, deworming tablets or suspensions are used.

Dogs are prescribed sedatives to eliminate anxiety caused by changes in residence, exhibitions and other situations.

Depending on the severity of the injury, different treatment methods are used; painkillers can be used for pain syndromes.

If calcium levels are insufficient in pregnant or pregnant dogs, calcium chloride injections or calcium gluconate supplements are prescribed.

For all diseases, only a veterinarian can provide proper treatment.

What pathologies are manifested by muscle tremors, how to treat them?

A dog will usually shiver if it is cold.
The condition is nothing more than chills. The animal is shivering because it froze while walking in cold weather. Pets also shake after water treatments, when the temperature in the room is low for them. To prevent the dog from trembling during and after walking, he should wear warm overalls and limit the duration of walks in cold weather. After bathing, the animal's fur should be dried well with a towel or hairdryer. There are also not so harmless causes of canine muscle tremors. These include such dangerous diseases as hypoglycemia, hormonal disorders, viral diseases, helminthic infestation, and pathologies of internal organs. If they are present, other symptoms are usually associated. For example, an animal not only shakes, but also feels sick and vomits, it becomes lethargic, breathes heavily, walks poorly, and has difficulty moving its legs.

This disease is more common in small breeds, such as Yorkshire terriers. Dogs with low blood sugar constantly tremble, they are lethargic, have general weakness of the body and low motor activity, often lie motionless or spend most of the day sleeping.

If your pet has frequent muscle cramps and diarrhea, he is constantly vomiting, he is apathetic and walks with his mouth open, experiencing extreme thirst, is weak, does not eat anything, his breathing is impaired, most likely the dog has been poisoned. Treatment of intoxication depends on its etiology, so it is best to entrust it to a veterinarian.

• gastric lavage;
• drip administration of drugs;
• use of antishock, cardiac, antiemetic, diuretic drugs;
• the use of hepatoprotectors, antispasmodics, homeopathic remedies aimed at stimulating the functioning of the liver and digestive organs;
• taking vitamin complexes.

If during a walk or immediately upon returning home, your puppy or adult pet's paw muscles twitch strongly, you should immediately take him to the veterinarian. This condition may indicate that the dog has been poisoned by strychnine.

A lack of thyroid hormones in dogs is accompanied by muscle tremors, weakness and a decrease in body temperature. The main task in this case is to normalize the functioning of the thyroid gland. For this purpose, drugs are used to replenish the deficiency of iodine-containing hormones. With adequate treatment, the first positive changes in the pet’s condition will be noticeable within 7–10 days. We can talk about a complete cure no earlier than after 3 months.

Trembling in pregnant and newly given birth pets can be caused by eclampsia, i.e. a significant decrease in the level of calcium in the body, which leads to disruption of the nervous system. If a bitch, who is expecting the birth of offspring or is feeding her cubs with milk, vomits, while her body temperature rises and her breathing is impaired, she should be urgently taken to the veterinarian.

This condition requires taking measures such as:

• placing the dog in a warm and quiet place;
• giving animals a sedative;
• increasing calcium levels by injecting a solution of calcium chloride or calcium gluconate.

Further treatment should be carried out under the supervision of a veterinarian. Until the new mother fully recovers, the puppies are transferred to artificial feeding.

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When a dog is infested with helminths, its coat becomes dull, it tucks its tail, coughs, refuses to eat, it has breathing problems, especially when inhaling, it seems as if it is suffocating. Also, a dog infected with worms experiences vomiting, skin rashes, trembling during defecation, diarrhea followed by constipation, and bloating. Treatment depends on the type of parasites and is aimed at destroying them, eliminating the symptoms of the disease and increasing immunity.

This condition may accompany diseases of internal organs, such as the heart and spinal cord. Therapy, first of all, depends on the type of lesion and the cause that provoked it. Thus, for an inflammatory process in the spinal cord, antibacterial drugs with novocaine, compresses and a course of massage are indicated. In severe cases, surgical intervention is resorted to.

Why does a dog tremble after vaccination?

Any vaccinations have side effects. The post-vaccination reaction is expressed by the dog's slight trembling, refusal to eat, general weakness, diarrhea or vomiting, elevated body temperature, and the appearance of painful swelling at the injection site. The occurrence and intensity of the consequences after vaccination depend on the characteristics of the animal’s body.

To avoid or minimize the side effects of vaccination, the dog needs to be prepared for the procedure - choose a qualified veterinary clinic, deworm it 1-2 weeks before the visit, and also make sure that the pet is not suffering from any disease symptoms.

Usually, all complications after vaccinations go away on their own without intervention. Alarming signs that require the services of a veterinarian include severe convulsions, allergic reactions, prolonged refusal to eat, diarrhea or vomiting for more than 3 days, body temperature exceeding 39°C, and other symptoms that do not go away or worsen.

After the vaccine, quarantine is required, during which the pet cannot be taken outside, bathed, and contact with other animals is prohibited.

It is important to monitor your pet’s condition after vaccinations and be prepared for possible complications.

Viruses, parasites, diseases

If you notice, along with trembling, loss of appetite, fever and lethargy, the cause may be rooted in a viral disease - for example, panleukopenia, influenza, adenovirus, parvovirus enteritis. Such cases are often associated with vomiting, diarrhea, and unusually colored urine. In the same section we include helminthic infestation, tick bites, dirofilariasis - problems with parasitic organisms. Tremors can be caused by problems with the central nervous or cardiovascular system, or pneumonia. With pneumonia, a wet cough appears, with heart problems - a compressed and dry cough.

What to do? Call the veterinarian at home or go to the clinic.

Trembling you can ignore

Often trembling in animals occurs for natural, non-critical reasons.

Harmless factors that cause trembling include:

• cold;
• sexual rut;
• emotional sensitivity;
• fear;
• dream;
• age.

Freezing, the dog tucks its tail, begins to tremble, and breathes intermittently. An animal can freeze not only during a walk, but also at home, after water treatments.

Sexual activity promotes unusual behavior. Seeing individuals of the opposite sex, dogs begin to shake, whine, become overexcited, attract attention in every possible way, and try to run away. Only spayed or neutered males and females are not susceptible to this. Trembling caused by a hormonal surge during the period of attraction to a partner is safe for the pet; the condition is normalized when hormones naturally stabilize.

Dogs often shake from an excess of feelings - excitement, joy. The dog usually demonstrates this behavior when the owner returns or when visiting familiar guests. In older dogs, excess emotions can cause jaw trembling.

Trembling and rapid breathing are possible with fear; the dog may be afraid of a large animal, a crowded place, a sharp sound - a clap of thunder, a volley of fireworks, sirens of special equipment, etc.

Sometimes tremors appear during sleep, but the tremor disappears while awake.

Old dogs develop tremors in their limbs. Senile trembling of the hind and apron legs has little effect on the movement of dogs and does not require treatment in the absence of other disturbing symptoms.

Cold

Just like in humans, shivering in dogs can be an involuntary reaction to cold. The breeds mentioned above are especially vulnerable to cold temperatures because they are very small in size and usually weigh no more than 3.1 kg. In this case, we are dealing with an instinct that helps to accelerate the flow of blood, which helps to avoid hypothermia in the dog’s body.

What to do? In autumn and winter, when walking the dog, use, for example, warm clothes for walking the dog - a sweatshirt, overalls, sweater, etc. If this happens even at home, you can turn on the heater, but it is not advisable to leave it on with the dog without supervision . It is also advisable to insulate the place where the dog rests and sleeps - use a blanket or bedding. If your dog gets wet in the rain, it would be a good idea to dry it with a hairdryer. When there are no means of insulation at hand (for example, you are on a trip), you can press the animal to you or hold it in your arms.

How to eliminate chills in your dog yourself

Sometimes it is difficult to determine the cause of chills in a dog; you need to try to analyze the pet’s well-being, remember the events of the past days that could have affected the pet’s condition. A high temperature indicates possible infectious diseases or diseases of the internal organs.

If hypothermia is suspected, the dog should be warmed with a blanket or heating pad. To prevent the dog from freezing during walks in winter, he needs to wear special clothes. After home water treatments, the dog's fur should be thoroughly dried using a towel or hair dryer.

First aid for a hypoglycemic attack in an animal is to raise the glucose level, for this you can use honey (if there is no allergy), lubricate the gums with it or place it under the tongue every 6 hours until the trembling subsides or until veterinary intervention.

In case of poisoning, the dog requires gastric lavage, taking an absorbent, and drinking plenty of fluids. Allergy symptoms are suppressed with antihistamines. A frightened dog can be calmed down by a walk, a calm voice, the creation of familiar conditions, and eliminating the cause of anxiety.

Complex cases require a mandatory examination of the pet by a veterinarian. Only timely correct treatment will lead to a favorable outcome.

Recommendations from the masters of the Maitre Groom salon

To avoid the above symptoms, it is recommended:

• Regularly visit the salon, which will help accustom the animal to haircuts and other manipulations and avoid stress.
• Find a master. It is important that the groomer finds a common language with the pet, which will allow the animal to relax during the grooming.
• Follow the hairdresser’s recommendations and carry out the haircut at the right time.
• Make sure that the cosmetics used are suitable for your dog.

If your four-legged friend experiences itching, irritation after a haircut, or is shaking after the procedure, it is important to report the symptoms to the specialist, remember the location of the inflammation, so that these areas can be given special attention during subsequent visits.

Source

Which breeds are most likely to naturally tremble?

Individuals characterized by increased nervous excitability, manifested by natural trembling, include the Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Toy Terrier, Pomeranian Spitz, Dachshund, and Lavretka. Small dogs do not cope well with emotional stress; this provokes muscle tension, expressed by trembling of the limbs, head, and tail. The dog begins to shake in anticipation of a treat, at the sight of the owner or familiar guests, when going outside. The physiological tremor characteristic of these breeds does not threaten the health of the pet.

Representatives of small breeds are more susceptible to hypothermia, they react to cold with trembling, blood flow accelerates, and muscle contraction prevents thorough freezing. Such dogs need to wear special dog overalls during the cold season. Chihuahuas get cold even indoors; these dogs require plenty of warm clothing accessories.

Emotions

An emotional state (fear, anxiety) can also be the reason why a dog whines and trembles. This happens especially often, again, in small breeds. Perhaps the stress is associated with the dog being punished for an offense (for example, when it went to the wrong place) or its anticipation. Or your pet is afraid of a larger relative. It is likely that he will also hide in a booth or other secluded place. Excitement is another type of strong emotion that causes trembling. Excitement can also be caused by positive factors, such as the anticipation of a treat. Or the excitement is associated with another unusual event - a fight, thunder, a trip, etc.

What to do? If possible, protect your dog from strong feelings, and in case of particularly severe stress, use calming tea.

Symptoms of Yeast in Dogs

Symptoms of jerking in dogs can appear in any part of the body, or they can affect the entire body. They can be soft or hard, and the vibrations range from slow to fast. Localized shocks most often affect the head or hind legs. Tremors other than seizures in dogs are generally easy to detect because the tremors are more regular. They can happen while resting, but usually get worse when dogs become agitated.

Treatment of tremors in dogs

Treatment for kicking in dogs can vary greatly depending on the cause, and some causes have no cure. Genetic abnormalities may not respond to treatment or treatment in any way. General tremor syndrome can be treated with corticosteroids such as prednisone, sedatives such as Valium, or painkillers. Painkillers, muscle relaxants, or sedatives may also be prescribed to treat immediate symptoms of tremors while the underlying cause is determined. It is important to keep dogs warm, hydrated and fed as they recover, and to limit exercise and agitation as these can worsen tremors.

Take a look at articles on dog head similar to dog seizures:

• Ataxia (loss of balance) in dogs: symptoms, causes and treatment

If the cause of the tremors is found, it will need to be treated to relieve the symptoms. For example, if the tremors are the result of medication, the veterinarian may prescribe different medications or adjust the dosage. If the cause is toxin exposure or poisoning, the toxin should be removed from the dog's environment. For other causes of shaking, you should consult your veterinarian about treatment options.

Causes of Yeast in Dogs

There are many possible causes of kicking in dogs, although in most cases the cause is unknown. Some dogs experience generalized tremor syndrome, also known as white shaker syndrome, as was first noted in small white dogs such as Maltese and Western Mountain White Terriers. Several breeds are predisposed to tremors and are known as "Shaker dogs," and these include Chow Chows, Dalmatians, Doberman Pinschers, English Bulldogs, Labrador Retrievers, Samoyeds, Springer Spaniels, and Weimaraners. There are several other conditions that can cause tremors, and they are usually accompanied by other symptoms. If your dog begins to tremble and show other signs of illness, consult your veterinarian. Here are some of the medical conditions that can cause tremors.

• Trauma or injury
• Effects of certain medications
• Kidney failure
• Heart disease
• Immune disease
• Pain or weakness
• hypoglycemia
• Exposure to toxins or poisoning
• Inflammation
• Nervous system disease
• Spinal cord lesions
• tempera
• Nausea (due to several medical conditions)
• Old age
• Seizure disorders
• Addison's disease
• Full anal sacs