Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Causes and signs of whole-body shaking in dogs from 2003 to 2023
By Liatis, Theofanis et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2025·Department of Clinical Science and Services, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Generalized Tremors in Dogs: 198 Cases (2003-2023).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 198 dogs with generalized tremors were studied to find out what might be causing their symptoms. The most common reasons for these tremors were poisoning and a condition called idiopathic generalized tremor syndrome (IGTS). Dogs with IGTS were usually younger females and showed other signs like loss of appetite and balance issues, while those with poisoning often had additional symptoms like drooling and behavioral changes. Dogs that were poisoned showed improvement within 48 hours without needing corticosteroids, while treatment for IGTS may differ.
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Diseases associated with generalized tremors in dogs have not been extensively investigated in a large population of dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Describe semiology, tremor phenotype, and diseases associated with generalized tremors in dogs, and identify clinical features that could be associated with the underlying disease. ANIMALS: A total of 198 dogs. METHODS: Retrospective, single-center study of dogs with generalized tremors and a final or presumptive diagnosis between January 2003 and December 2023. RESULTS: The most common diseases associated with generalized tremors in dogs were intoxication (91/198; 46%), idiopathic generalized tremor syndrome (IGTS; 49/198; 24.7%), hypocalcemia (13/198; 6.6%), meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO; 9/198; 4.5%), hypoglycemia (6/198; 3%), hypercalcemia (5/198; 2.5%) and degenerative encephalopathies (5/198; 2.5%). Dogs with IGTS were females (p = 0.002), younger (p = 0.002) with an acute progressive lateralizing presentation (p < 0.001 for all three), compared to dogs with intoxication that were males (p = 0.002), young and middle-aged (p = 0.002) with a hyperacute nonprogressive symmetric presentation (p < 0.001 for all three). Behavioral changes (p = 0.01), hypersalivation (p = 0.04), abnormal mentation (p = 0.01), bilateral mydriasis (p = 0.02) or generalized hyperesthesia (p = 0.002) were common in intoxication, whereas hyporexia and vestibulocerebellar signs (p < 0.001 both) were common in IGTS. Dogs manifested only tremors in intoxication (45%) compared with IGTS (22%; p = 0.01). Improvement within 48 h from the onset of signs without corticosteroid treatment occurred exclusively in dogs with intoxication (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Intoxication and IGTS were the most common diseases associated with generalized tremors in dogs. Historical and clinical features may aid the clinician in adjusting their differential diagnoses and formulating a diagnostic and treatment plan.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40152656/