Dogs shake and tremble for all kinds of reasons -- excitement, pain, old age, even nausea. Shivering and trembling may be symptoms of something serious -- like poisoning, kidney disease, or injury.
You should always contact your vet if your dog is behaving in a strange way or if you are concerned about their health. If your dog is showing other signs, is shaking a lot or has been shaking for a while you should contact your vet immediately.
Just like humans with fevers, dogs may develop a shivering habit when they are feverish. This is because of the body trying to cool itself down and fight off the fever as well as its source.
What are the typical signs of pain in dogs? General behaviour: Shaking, flattened ears, low posture, aggression, grumpy temperament, panting or crying, excessive licking or scratching a specific area, reluctant to play, interact or exercise, lameness (limping), stiffness after rest, loss of appetite.
One condition, called synchronous diaphragmatic flutter (SDF) will cause a dog's diaphragm to involuntarily spasm similarly to hiccups. This is usually caused by low blood calcium levels, which can have other severe consequences in the body [3].
Some dogs twitch as a nervous habit, just like their human counterparts, or if they're experiencing separation anxiety. If your dog has general anxiety, they may also twitch or tremble. By speaking with your vet, you can find out how to better manage these conditions and make your pup feel more comfortable.
It is important not to confuse retching or even a seizure with hiccups. Retching usually means that your dog is going to vomit and a seizure is a medical emergency. Dogs can also do reverse sneezes and inexperienced dog owners can confuse these with hiccups.
Shivering and trembling may be symptoms of something serious -- like poisoning, kidney disease, or injury. So, if your dog suddenly starts trembling or shivering, it's important to take note of other symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, or limping. Then talk to your vet right away.
Silent pain is often invisible to dog guardians
Playing with their friends, chasing the ball, running on the beach, even regular walking cause silent pain and tension to build up in the soft tissues of the body over time. Silent pain - soft tissue pain - is found especially in the fascia (connective tissues).
Stiffness and limping are two of the more obvious signs of pain in dogs and are likely a result of injury, sore paws, or even arthritis. Your dog might be reluctant to climb stairs or is noticeably slow when getting up. This can also manifest itself as reduced interest in exercise, or not being as active as usual.
Shivering/shaking and lethargy/fatigue are symptoms that indicate your dog is sick and/or in pain. The cause is likely fever, ingesting poison, trauma (a physical injury), a virus (parvo or distemper), or an organ disorder (liver or kidney disease).
The signs of this illness in dogs are cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge, and reduced appetite, but not all dogs will show signs of illness. The severity of illness associated with canine flu in dogs can range from no signs to severe illness resulting in pneumonia and sometimes death.
Paracetamol, while safe for humans, can be extremely toxic for your dog (particularly if the wrong dosage is given), and can result in serious liver damage or problems with their red blood cells.
The clinical signs of more advanced kidney failure include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and very bad breath. Occasionally, ulcers will be found in the mouth.
Generally, tremor is caused by a problem in the deep parts of the brain that control movements. Most types of tremor have no known cause, although there are some forms that appear to be inherited and run in families. Tremor can occur on its own or be a symptom associated with a number of neurological disorders.
Wincing, Whining or Crying
All three of these actions indicate an injury or some kind of pain your dog is experiencing. If you start to pet your dog and they shy away from your hand or whine, you know there is something wrong. Your pet might need x-rays and a full examination to determine the cause.
Dogs who are in pain tend to sleep more. It can be their body's way of trying to heal or it may be difficult for them to move around and be active.
As dehydration progresses, their noses and mouths become dry, eyes appear sunken, and skin loses its “spring”. At 10-15% fluid loss: signs of shock such as shivering.
Symptoms can include collapsing, jerking, stiffening, muscle twitching, loss of consciousness, drooling, chomping, tongue chewing, or foaming at the mouth. Dogs can fall to the side and make paddling motions with their legs. They sometimes poop or pee during the seizure. They are also not aware of their surroundings.
Hypoadrenocorticism is an uncommon disease in dogs, and it is caused by a deficiency of essential hormones that are made by the adrenal glands. Also known as Addison's disease, the clinical signs may appear as vague signs of illness that come and go.
Pre-seizure symptom: Confusion and anxiety
However, dogs that do exhibit pre-seizure symptoms, says Dr. Trimble, “will have a dazed look and act nervous, restless, or anxious. This is called the 'pre-ictal' phase.” They may also salivate, whine, or shake.
The pre-ictal phase (aura) is a period of altered behavior in which a dog may hide, appear nervous, or seek out her owner. She may be restless, nervous, whining, shaking, or salivating. This may last a few seconds to a few hours.