Tremors in dogs

Have you noticed your dog shaking a lot? Tremors in dogs can be down to lots of things, from ear infections to fear.

If your dog shakes its head a lot, it could be due to an ear infection. More general tremors may be due to your dog eating something that it cannot tolerate and thus becoming poisoned. It could also be because your dog is in pain somewhere, that it is worried or afraid of something, or that your dog has become severely chilled.

Even small epileptic seizures can manifest as tremors. A healthy dog should not shake without understanding why.

Symptoms of tremors in dogs

Uncontrollable trembling for no apparent reason
Shaking its head a lot (in case of ear infection)
Worse appetite, vomiting and/or diarrhoea
Changed behaviour - lethargy or unusual fatigue
Increased body temperature/fever

How you vet will diagnose the issue

After listening to your story about your dog's symptoms, the vet performs a thorough examination. Blood samples are taken to see if there is inflammation, infection or other effects on the liver, kidneys, etc. If pain from the back or joints is suspected, an x-ray may be appropriate.

Treatment of dog with tremors

Treatment is initiated based on the dog's symptoms and diagnosis. If a diagnosis is not established immediately, symptomatic treatment can be instituted to reduce the tremors.