A Trembling Dog
We have a strange situation with my mom’s Shih Tzu, Honey. She’s a trembling dog. Let me tell you about it and see if you all can help us figure this out?
(Today’s post is gently recycled. I’ll tell you, at the end, what we figured out with our trembling dog scenario.)
It started a couple of months ago. We’ve been brainstorming to try and figure out the problem. We have no clue. This happens once or twice a week.
Honey goes outside in one of two ways – twice daily walks in the neighborhoods, and out in the fenced backyard to pee. She’s fine on her walks. She LOVES her walks. And she seems to like being outside in the backyard, chasing and barking at squirrels, or soaking up rays. Honey is a real sweetheart.
Time of Day – or Night
The problem is her time outside in the backyard, and this only happens at night, or in the wee hours of the morning before the sun is up. Mom says that it does not happen when the sun is up, or on their walks.
Honey will go out to the bathroom at night, then freeze. Mom will go out to find her frozen in place, trembling, eyes not really focused. At first we discussed the possibility of a predator – and maybe that’s really what it is. This happens once or twice a week.
If mom picks Honey up soon enough and brings her in, the trembling stops and Honey is back to being her perky self. If mom doesn’t catch it quickly, Honey is a trembling dog and will slink through the house, tail down.
It’s weird, y’all.
Possible Answers
And did you know that WebMD answers pet questions? In doing a search for trembling dog, I found their page. Several things we’re pretty sure it’s not, that they give as possible causes, are these:
- Distemper – no fever, nasal discharge, etc. This behavior only happens occasionally.
- GST, or Generalized Tremor Syndrome – mostly occurring in small dogs, pretty sure this isn’t the problem. This is so specific to backyard and it being dark out. Not generalized at all.
- Nausea – from motion sickness. Sitting still in the backyard cannot be attributed to motion sickness. And Honey LOVES a car ride.
- Old age and pain – nope. Honey’s not a puppy, but neither is she old.
- Poisoning – nope. She’d be dead by now.
- Excitement – if it weren’t for the tail tucked and the slinking, I might entertain this one, but Honey seems to be afraid. I think.
Help! Anyone? Honey is pretty large for her breed. She does not have a nervous disposition for a small dog. She’s quite friendly and loving. This only happens in her own back yard at night, and not all the time. The yard is smallish and fenced.
So? Do y’all think it’s a predator? Has anyone out there encountered something like this with their own dog? A clue? Please? It was a little scary the first couple of times. Honey was definitely not herself, almost ill-seeming. I’m sure my mom will weigh in in the comments, as well, filling in gaps I’ve missed.
UPDATE
So here’s what mom figured out, and maybe it can help your dog. It was nothing from the above list. Honey’s blood sugar was dropping. Mom was feeding her once a day, in the morning. By evening her blood sugar would drop and she’d tremble. Now that mom feeds her twice a day, she’s fine. I’m sure I’d do the same thing if I only ever ate breakfast. Of course, mom also gives her tidbits from her own supper plate, so Honey is doing more than fine. 😉
Giveaway
Don’t forget to enter our Jones Natural Chews treat giveaway! We’re giving one lucky dog a yummy Wheezer Stick! Your dog would love to nom on this all natural, US grown and baked treat. And tweeting about the contest daily increases your chances of winning! Just follow the directions on the page that pops up when you click this sentence (it’s pretty simple). Now, go give your dog a Jones Natural Chew and watch it smile. Naturally.
Spreading the good chews …
Flea
