It’s a common assumption to dismiss symptoms like your dog’s shaky legs as simply a part of “getting old.” However, trembling in dogs can signal a range of underlying issues, with pain being a significant factor. If you notice your aging dog developing tremors, consulting with your veterinarian is crucial for their health and well-being.
Arthritis: Joint Pain and Trembling
Arthritis is a primary source of pain, particularly in older dogs, which can manifest as trembling. This condition causes inflammation and discomfort in the joints, leading to noticeable shaking, especially in the limbs. Fortunately, veterinary medicine offers various treatments to manage arthritis pain and joint inflammation. These include supplements designed to support joint health, medications to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation, and other therapies like physical therapy or acupuncture to improve mobility and comfort.
Poisoning: When Toxins Cause Tremors
Several toxins and poisons pose a serious threat to dogs and can induce tremors or shaking. It’s important to be aware that many substances harmless to humans can be highly toxic to our canine companions. Common household items that are poisonous to dogs include chocolate, especially dark chocolate and baker’s chocolate, cigarettes and nicotine products, and xylitol, an artificial sweetener prevalent in sugar-free gums and candies. Additionally, snail baits containing metaldehyde are extremely dangerous and can cause severe muscle tremors, seizures, and even death in dogs.
The symptoms of poisoning in dogs are diverse and can vary depending on the toxin ingested. Beyond tremors and shaking, watch out for signs such as weakness, disorientation or confusion, depression or lethargy, excessive drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures. Immediate action is critical if you suspect your dog has ingested something poisonous. Contact your veterinarian immediately, or reach out to the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 for expert guidance.
Seizure Disorders: Neurological Causes of Shaking
Epilepsy, a neurological disorder affecting the brain, is a recognized cause of seizures in dogs, which can present as shaking and tremors. Seizures are characterized by a range of dramatic symptoms, including collapsing, involuntary jerking movements, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of consciousness, drooling, chomping or jaw movements, tongue chewing, and foaming at the mouth. During a seizure, a dog might fall onto their side and exhibit paddling motions with their legs. Management of epilepsy in dogs typically involves medications to control seizures and reduce their frequency and severity. Common anti-seizure medications include keppra, phenobarbital, and potassium bromide.
Distemper: A Viral Infection with Tremors as a Symptom
Canine distemper, caused by a highly contagious virus, primarily affects puppies and adolescent dogs that have not completed their vaccinations. Distemper is a significant cause of tremors in dogs. Alongside shaking, other signs of distemper include discharge from the eyes and nose, fever, and coughing. Distemper is a serious illness requiring prompt veterinary attention.
Treatment for distemper focuses on providing supportive care to help the dog’s body fight off the virus. This may include antibiotics to combat secondary bacterial infections, airway dilators to assist with breathing difficulties, physical therapy to maintain muscle function, and intravenous fluids to manage dehydration. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent distemper in dogs.
Generalized Tremor Syndrome (GTS): The Mystery of the Shaking Dog
Generalized Tremor Syndrome (GTS), also known as steroid-responsive tremor syndrome or white shaker dog syndrome, is a condition characterized by widespread tremors throughout the body. While initially observed in small, white dog breeds like Maltese and West Highland white terriers, GTS can affect dogs of any breed, size, or coat color. Despite research, the exact cause of GTS remains unknown, adding to the mystery of this condition.
