Shivering When Not Cold

[Sheridan]

Just occasionally I've noticed Grumpy shivering a little even though the room has been very warm, generally in the mornings. Last night he wasn't well, didn't want his dinner or his treats, and he slept on my bed so I could keep an eye on him. During the night he woke up and he was shivering quite badly. Again, it wasn't cold. He was okay this morning and ate the treats I left out for him and a big breakfast to make up for not having his dinner. I googled what it might be and it could be everything from being neurological to weak muscles from arthritis. He doesn't have an ounce of arthritis in him, though, and generally manages to jump on and off the bed without any problems at all.

Has anyone come across this before?

Edited October 7, 2010 by Sheridan

[JulesP]

Dogs will shiver when in pain.

[Sheridan]

Sure, but it's just the shiver. No other symptoms.

[JulesP]

Unfortunately dogs often don't show us other symptoms when there is a problem. Have you done hydration tests? checked gums? felt stomach?

[persephone]

Sounds as if he has some pain or stress?

[dogbesotted]

off to the vet methinks... shivering/shaking can be an indicator of pain, illness or anxiety... as it is a new behaviour then i would be consulting a vet

h

[Sheridan]

Unfortunately dogs often don't show us other symptoms when there is a problem. Have you done hydration tests? checked gums? felt stomach?

I don't tend to feel his gums on the grounds that I don't want to lose my hand. He's drinking, he's otherwise happy. Stomach seems fine.

[Sheridan]

His vet isn't back until Tuesday so I've made an appt for then but they said if the shivering gets worse to bring him in to see the locum. Not especially keen on him seeing someone else, of course. Hamish knows Grumpy very well.

[Are You Serious Jo]

Can you take his temp when he is shivering, some conditions cause you to feel cold even when the ambeint temp is not cool.

[W Sibs]

Agree with what the other said... Shivering can also mean stress, pain, anxiety.

[sllebasi]

my dog shakes when she is nervous or scared to the point of nearly collapsing- like thunder, little athletics guns. Have you had some storms around lately that you havent heard the thunder. my dog can hear thunder a good 2 hours before i hear it. but as others said, if its new or your gut feeling says something is not right, then see the vet

[sas]

Pain? Dante gets the shivers when he's in pain.

[Sheridan]

No further shivering. Someone did point out how cold the other night was, so I'll get a blood panel done and see what the vet says. He's eating (gobbling) normally now. It took him a while last night to eat his bambi ear but I'll see how he goes with a pig's ear tonight.

[persephone]

glad he's feeling better.

[Sheridan]

Interesting observation of Grumpy today. He lifted his back left leg to do a wee but put it down about halfway through. I thought maybe there's a little arthritis there? But, later, he bounded up onto my bed which is fairly high. *scratches head in puzzlement*

[Swizzlestick]

Unfortunately dogs often don't show us other symptoms when there is a problem. Have you done hydration tests? checked gums? felt stomach?

I don't tend to feel his gums on the grounds that I don't want to lose my hand. He's drinking, he's otherwise happy. Stomach seems fine.

I was going to suggest pain as well.

Glad to hear he is feeling a tad better.

Just on the above. Does your own dog not even let you look in his mouth, or have I read this wrong?

[twodoggies2001]

No further shivering. Someone did point out how cold the other night was, so I'll get a blood panel done and see what the vet says. He's eating (gobbling) normally now. It took him a while last night to eat his bambi ear but I'll see how he goes with a pig's ear tonight.

I would be very careful about feeding huge meals at this point. If it were me, I would be offering small meals throughout the day for the time being. I am not sure what a Bambi ear is but I certainly would not offer a pig's ear as they are too fatty.

[twodoggies2001]

No further shivering. Someone did point out how cold the other night was, so I'll get a blood panel done and see what the vet says. He's eating (gobbling) normally now. It took him a while last night to eat his bambi ear but I'll see how he goes with a pig's ear tonight.

I would be very careful about feeding huge meals at this point. If it were me, I would be offering small meals throughout the day for the time being. I am not sure what a Bambi ear is but I certainly would not offer a pig's ear as they are too fatty.

I omitted to say in my earlier post is that yes, his shivering could very well be due to pain, and that pain could have been caused by a tummy bug which has come and gone. That's the reason I advised to go slow with his feeding etc.

[merijigs]

Unfortunately dogs often don't show us other symptoms when there is a problem. Have you done hydration tests? checked gums? felt stomach?

I don't tend to feel his gums on the grounds that I don't want to lose my hand. He's drinking, he's otherwise happy. Stomach seems fine.

I was going to suggest pain as well.

Glad to hear he is feeling a tad better.

Just on the above. Does your own dog not even let you look in his mouth, or have I read this wrong?

I hope Sheridan will allow me to respond to this question as someone who has known Grumpy for a couple of years now. Grumpy is not called Grumpy for nothing! He does NOT enjoy being handled at all, by anyone. At over 14 years of age he does not deserve any attempts at behaviour modification now. Sheridan is devoted to him and to making his twilight years as comfortable and stress free as possible. The challenges involved in providing bathing, grooming, transport and veterinary treatment are signigicant. As long he is well and content in his himself then Sheridan will make whatever adaptations are necessary to maintain him in comfort, even though that means "Don't Touch Me".

[JulesP]

How is Grumpy today?