Puppies shake for a variety of reasons. For example, they can shake when they are wet or cold, tired or excited, hungry or in pain. If your puppy is shaking from being too cold, you should give him a blanket so he can snuggle up to it and warm up. When a puppy has just been bathed and is wet, sometimes shaking itself will help dry off its fur.
If your puppy shakes when he is hungry, then his food might need to be changed or increased. Sometimes puppies shake when they are in pain such as if they have an ear infection or an upset stomach (such as from eating something bad). In these cases, first, take your dog to the vet, and then you can deal with the shaking at home.
When your puppy is shaking because he is excited or tired, these are very normal behaviors. To calm down a dog before you take him on a walk, try feeding him his favorite treat. If your puppy shakes when he gets overly excited, it may be best to give him some time alone in another room so he can calm down.
If your puppy’s shaking is not associated with any particular event, then you should take him to the vet. There may be an injury or infection that can be treated easily by a veterinarian if it is taken care of soon enough.
Puppy Shaking Causes And Symptoms
In rare circumstances, puppies can go into seizures. If a puppy is shaking that cannot be attributed to being cold or hungry it may be due to some medical reasons. Before a vet should be contacted it should be first determined if the puppy is healthy and if so should not appear sickly in any other way. If all signs point towards a healthy condition then there are many possibilities as to what might cause the pup’s shakes. Begin by looking back over the past 24 hours and ask yourself:
– Is this normal behavior for the breed? – When did you last feed them? – How long ago was their last drink? – Has this been going on for more than 5 minutes? – Does anything happen before they start shaking (other symptoms).- Are they wearing any type of accessory that may be tugging on them? – Is there anything sharp in the area where they are shaking (they could accidentally bite their own tongue or cause injury to themselves)?
Why Is My Puppy Shaking
As puppies get older their behavior will change, if a puppy begins to shake during an activity such as playtime, chew time, “stop it” time, etc. then something different probably happened before that might need to be looked into. A shaking pup should never be punished because most likely you would not be able to tell why they were reacting in such a way. It really does not matter what caused the trembling unless the reason was extremely serious and needs to be taken care of to avoid any future episodes.
Older puppies between 6 months and 1 year of age may suffer from canine epilepsy or seizures, this is the result of built-up fluid within the brain that causes an impulsive movement on one side of the body more frequently than it does on the other side, almost always being accompanied by some form of loss of consciousness for a few seconds to minutes. If you notice your puppy start to have seizures or appear to be shaking then get help immediately by taking them to a vet office without delay.
How Long Do Puppy Seizures Last?
A puppy dog seizure can last anywhere between five seconds and four minutes before it’s completely over, if they are still convulsing after ten minutes something different needs to be done because they are probably choking. To avoid seizures, high-quality dog food that is free from any toxins or chemical preservatives should be used as well as fresh water at all times. There are also medications available for those who do not want to take the chance of having a seizure due to epilepsy.
Can Cold Cause Seizures In Puppies?
A shivering puppy may be cold; however, there are many other possibilities. If your pup is shaking it needs to be checked thoroughly to determine exactly what is causing them distress and then offer them some form of relief immediately. Puppies that are under 4 months of age cannot generate much body heat (their little bodies simply can’t keep up with adults) so if they are outside during wintertime make sure their little area has been covered with something and that they have plenty of warm blankets to cuddle up under.
Is An Upset Stomach A Cause For Puppy Shaking And Seizure?
Puppies can get an upset stomach, though it’s rare many will exhibit symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. Look around for any signs of recent consumption of foreign matter such as dirt, rocks chips, grass, etc. If your pup is having trouble with their tummy problems you should take them to the vet because there could be something else going on that might need further attention, especially if they are passing bloody stool or not producing enough urine (pee). It’s possible that a pup may develop a worm infestation which would only get worse over time and cause more serious medical conditions.
Puppy Seizure Shakes Caused By Pain
A shuddering pup could also be in pain; this is often experienced by dogs that have been hit by a car, stepped on by a larger animal, or even kicked by a human. If you find a bump anywhere on the body of your pup they should be taken to see a vet immediately so that it can be properly diagnosed and looked at for any serious injuries.
Non-serious injuries such as sprains or lacerations will require extra attention from you to avoid further complications from occurring. Once the bleeding has stopped apply pressure to the affected area with something clean and soft, if anything is protruding from the skin then do not attempt to remove it because you might cause more damage than good. Seek out help from an emergency room or go straight to where your dog was dug up for stitches and antibiotics, whatever is necessary to prevent infection.
Puppy Shaking Because Of Parasites Present On Body
A shivering dog may not be feeling well because there are parasites within their system that are very common for dogs, these little buggers are called ticks. Apply tick medication to the skin where they were attached using the applicator included with the bottle or tube of medicine and make sure you give them enough time before you take them off so the blood stops flowing out of the wounds.
Another parasite that is very common in puppies is worms, one of which being hookworms which will cause diarrhea as one of their symptoms along with others such as bloody stool, weight loss, vomiting, etc. If your pup has any of these symptoms then it’s best to get them checked out by a vet who can prescribe treatment for the matter.
Generalized Tremor Syndrome
Puppy shaking is not just something that happens because a puppy feels cold, or is stunned and too overwhelmed to cope. Puppy shaking can be an indicator of a more serious problem called Generalized Tremor Syndrome. This condition affects older dogs as well as puppies and often has fatal consequences for those affected if no treatment is sought.
What is Generalized Tremor Syndrome?
It is a neurological disorder that causes dogs to have uncontrollable tremors or seizures. The condition can affect animals of any age, but it often affects older dogs. However, when young puppies are affected, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to their survival.
Several things can cause tremors in young puppies. Some of the causes are mentioned below:
- Distemper
- Feline distemper
- Heartworms
- Liver shunt (inherited disorder)
- Lyme disease or Ehrlichiosis (transmitted by ticks)
- Nutritional deficiency
- Seizures
- Transmissible mink encephalitis (TME)
What are the signs of puppy shaking caused by tremors?
Puppy shaking or tremors can have a variety of causes, from being cold to having a disease such as a distemper. Some of the signs of puppy shaking caused by tremors include:
- Shaking
- Trembling
- Seizures
- Incoordination
- Paralysis or weakness in rear legs
A puppy that is shaking has a difficult time holding its head up. In severe cases, the dog may be unable to move its muscles at all, including the muscles that control breathing. Weakness and difficulty with coordination are also symptoms of Generalized Tremor Syndrome in puppies. The list of possible symptoms is extensive and the condition differs from dog to dog. If you notice any of these signs in your puppy, contact a veterinarian immediately:
- Abnormal head position
- Coughing
- Loss of appetite
- Seizures
- Weakness in the hind limbs
Treatment for Puppy Shaking Due To Tremors
At this time there is no known treatment to cure Generalized Tremor Syndrome. However, medication and home care may be used to control the symptoms and maintain the quality of life for your dog. If you notice any of these symptoms in your puppy, contact a veterinarian immediately!
How To Cure Generalized Tremor Syndrome In Puppies
You can treat generalized tremor syndrome (shaker syndrome) in puppies by giving them phenobarbital and primidone. Both of these medications are anticonvulsants. They treat this disease by helping to stop seizures, which can help a puppy from shaking.
If your puppy is having seizures that are not controlled with phenobarbital or primidone, then your veterinarian may add potassium bromide to the treatment plan. This medication is also a seizure medicine. Please consult your vet before giving your puppy any kind of medication.
Why Is My Puppy Shaking in Her Sleep?
Puppies are known for sleeping a lot, and most puppies sleep around 16 hours per day. Puppies will often shake when they’re in the deepest part of their sleep cycle. They may also twitch or jerk when awakened suddenly from the lighter stages of sleep. If your puppy is shaking or twitching during his waking hours, this could be a sign of dog anxiety. If your puppy begins to experience any of the following symptoms, he could be showing signs of dog anxiety:
- rumbling growls when touched
- hiding in confined spaces, such as under beds and tables
- trembling or shaking (no matter if awake or asleep)
- refusing to eat or drink
If your puppy’s sleep twitching continues, it could be a sign of dog epilepsy. If you are unable to wake your puppy from his sleep or his seizures last longer than five minutes, you should seek veterinary care immediately.
Why Is My Puppy Shaking After Eating
Many new puppy owners are surprised to see their furry friend shaking after eating. This is common behavior, especially with smaller dogs. Some think that the pup is cold or sick, but that’s not the case at all.
Puppies often shake right after they eat because the food moves through their digestive system faster than they are used to. This isn’t unusual; however, if your pup shakes during or immediately before eating it may be a sign that something is wrong.
The best way to stop a puppy from shaking after meals is to feed them smaller portions more frequently throughout the day.
To find out why your dog might be shivering before or during mealtimes, take them to a veterinarian for an examination.
Wrapping Up
There are many reasons why a puppy might be shaking. The best way to find out is by asking your vet, who can give you the most accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. However, if it’s an issue that’s causing major concern for you or your dog, there are some things you can do at home without waiting on veterinary advice. If they’re not due to illness or injury, try identifying what may have caused them in the first place so that it doesn’t happen again!
