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I just started to notice my dog shivering or quivering without

 
CVT_in_MN's Avatar
  • Answered by:CVT_in_MN
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Customer Question

I just started to notice my dog shivering or quivering without being cold or any obvious source of anxiety. I read it may be due to some kind of GI problems. She had many weeks of throwing up and they never could figure it out. Is it possible they are related? I also read it could be hypoglycemia and to try honey or maple syrup.

 

Optional Information:
Age: 3; Female; Breed: Lab Whippet mix

Already Tried:
I just gave her some honey but she doesn't take it easily. I noticed this first a couple of weeks ago shortly after we woke up. She was laying on my bed and I felt a quiver or shake. I noticed it first in her rear hip muscles. Previously, she had major tests to try to figure out why she was throwing up 2-3 times a day. Usually it was in the middle of the night and was mostly bile. They did every test you can imagine and decided it was food allergy. She has been on Science Diet Z/D for 8 weeks without throwing up so it seems that it may be the right diagnosis. The shaking/quivering has only been going on for about two weeks and I have only noticed it three times.

Submitted: 1555 days and 13 hours ago.
Category: Dog
Value: $15
Status: CLOSED

Accepted Answer

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Expert:  CVT_in_MN replied 1555 days and 5 hours ago.

HiCustomer

 

Dogs shiver for a variety of reasons.

 

First and the most obvious to most people is the fact that they are indeed cold. Shivering contracts the muscles to stimulate heat. Since you have already addressed this issue--lets explore other possibilities.

 

The next two are medical and behavior issues.

 

Medically based:

Trembling and shivering are also indicators that a dog is in pain. If your dog is shivering on a constant basis you should rule out any medical conditions. You need to give her a complete body check to see if she has any sensitive or painful areas. Touch her whole body gently and carefully. Run your fingers down her back and legs gently, check under her tail. Check between her toes and check the pads of her feet. Look at her face, cup it in your hands and slide your hands down her chest. Check her eyes, ears, and mouth. Look on her belly and rub it gently. Even if she does not appear to be sensitive to your physical touch, there are still many metabolic problems that could cause pain. Make sure she is medically cleared by your veterinarian before assuming that the shivering is not medically based. (Especially if you notice anything else abnormal--not eating, listless, vomiting, diarrhea, limping, reluctant to run or jump, etc.)

 

Behavior based:

Good signs that the shivering is behavior based is that it is NOT constant. She doesn't shake when she is eating, playing, interested in her walks or "gets to go for a ride," etc. Shivering can be a symptom of stress, separation anxiety, and or fear. See this site for more inf:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Do-Dogs-Feel-Sress?

 

Dogs can also use shivering as an attention getting behavior. Remember, dogs will repeat a behavior that gets a positive response. That's the whole premise of positive rewarded--based dog training. So just like sitting politely (dog's behavior) brings forth a cookie (positive reinforcement), some dogs have found that shivering (dog's behavior) brings forth mom's concern in the form of attention (positive reinforcement.)

 

If you think this may be the problem you will need to determine what initiates this behavior and how you may be unconsciously rewarding the behavior. For example-- if she only starts to shiver when you start to leave the house and you notice the shivering and come back to pet her and "reassure her that its ok" then you are rewarding the shivering behavior. As long as the shivering is rewarded the behavior will continue! To extinguish this behavior you will need to start ignoring the shivering and reward her and pay attention to her when she is NOT shivering. You can also try distraction by playing games with her working and reinforcing her basic obedience skills. Remember NO positive reinforcement when she is shivering!

 

In short, make sure there are no medical reasons for her shivering and if not, then address the behavior issues. You also might find it helpful to enlist a good trainer to help you with her behavior issues if needed. Just make sure the trainer is a positive, reward based trainer!

 

 

I hope this helps!!

Expert TypeCertified Vet Tech
Category: Dog
Pos. Feedback: 96.9 %
Accepts: 11055
Answered: 1/1/2009

Experience: AAS Vet Tech. Bully breed rehab & Behavior modification

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