Dismiss Notice
Hello Guest, Welcome to the new version of Sheltieforums.com. If you have any questions regarding the new software, please post in the following section: Forum Upgrade

Leg Twitch

Discussion in 'General Health' started by Fasb's Owner, May 7, 2014.

  1. sable

    sable Forums Enthusiast

    2,386
    473
    120
    Oct 2, 2008
    Lucky does this, it looks like he has a vibrator on his but and the back legs shake.

    He did it for the vets and they don't make anything out of it either, except he must be anxious for something. Lucky will be 13 in June but he does all kinds of quirky stuff now.

    If he wants to go outside he whines like a cat, and shakes rattle and role. He gets his shakes too waiting on a treat.

    I wondered about this also, but he is spunky and can run like crazy. He eats, drinks and he is happy. I guess I have to believe the vet, but I do have my concerns.
     
  2. Mom2Melli

    Mom2Melli Forums Enthusiast

    2,184
    3
    85
    Oct 2, 2013
    Central California
    Dogs will quiver when anxious but there are other signs of stress such as leaning, cowering, yawning, whining. That quiver is different, it's a whole body quiver, pause, quiver, pause.

    The leg thing is different. It's not a shiver, it's a tremor. It starts with intention and focus but over time you can see the dog shaking when more and more relaxed or anytime.
     
  3. sable

    sable Forums Enthusiast

    2,386
    473
    120
    Oct 2, 2008
    Its a weird thing, Lucky just started this stuff last year. When he wants something like I said he gives a goofy whine, his treats, or out.
    He also has selective hearing. He can hear the slightness noise like opening up a bag very quietly, and on other things he could care less.

    Lucky also likes when the DH is out, he jumps in the rocker recliner and just rocks away. The older he gets, the funnier he gets, except those back legs going. He will miss calculate coming in the house with a step, and slips every once in awhile. On the whole at 13 I can count my blessings I still have him.
     
  4. Fasb's Owner

    Fasb's Owner Forums Enthusiast

    308
    14
    70
    Jan 21, 2013
    Morgantown, WV
    Well, after conferring with our vet yesterday, we took Fasb to the local animal hospital this morning. More resources, more specialists. They did some tests, the results of which aren't back yet, but the preliminary diagnosis is what Mom2Melli is talking about: an intention tremor.

    They x-rayed his rear legs and did blood work, but don't expect those results to point to anything different (our vet took x-rays when Fasb's arthritis worsened last year, and blood work was done a few months back). They're able to rule out most of the other possibilities.

    It won't be a conclusive diagnosis. More observation and process of elimination. There are a couple tests they could do to confirm intention tremors, but they are invasive and none of us feel Fasb needs to go through that. If they situation worsens, changes, or seems to be causing Fasb discomfort, we'll revisit the need for more tests.

    They did discuss a few possible treatment options with us, but the general attitude was "if this is all it is, he's essentially fine." Most likely, this will cause him minimal (probably no) discomfort or harm.

    Anyway, expensive morning to essentially confirm what a board member told me for free, but it is what it is. Thanks for the advice. If something turns up in the tests to point to a different diagnosis, I'll post it here, but it looks like something we'll just have to live with. I'm relieved. I'd prefer this to something like an arthritis-related issue or a pinched nerve, both of which would have caused him more discomfort than this probably will.
     
  5. Mom2Melli

    Mom2Melli Forums Enthusiast

    2,184
    3
    85
    Oct 2, 2013
    Central California
    You are welcome for the info -- My Amazing Mayson certainly would puff out his chest and be proud to set anyone's mind at ease about anything he could. If he could give comfort to human or beast, it brought out his big smile, his crazy loud panting, and that back leg tremor.
     
  6. Emmasmom

    Emmasmom Forums Sage

    3,512
    4
    120
    Apr 2, 2010
    Canada
    Glad you found out what it was. Personally I would spend the money to have a vet check out my dogs. It is the same for me - people can give advice as to what they think it wrong with you - it takes a medical professional to confirm.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 10, 2014
  7. Mom2Melli

    Mom2Melli Forums Enthusiast

    2,184
    3
    85
    Oct 2, 2013
    Central California
    I agree on it being good to have the vet check. Maybe not the invasive biopsy-type testing, but vet check, blood work, imaging all very good. At least they could arrive not panicked and worried sick, but more informed like when we all google our symptoms and discuss intelligently with the doctor the differentials and the treatments for them.

    There are some very ugly illnesses involving shaking. They take a dog down in about a year and it is good to know it's this benign tremor that the dog neither hurts from or will suffer from impairment.
     
  8. Fasb's Owner

    Fasb's Owner Forums Enthusiast

    308
    14
    70
    Jan 21, 2013
    Morgantown, WV
    Conferred with the dr from the animal hospital this morning. Blood work was fine. Other tests either showed what they expected or came back negative. They feel confident that the shaking is an intention tremor that will be mostly harmless. We're going to hold off on the test that would confirm that diagnosis (invasive, painful to our dog) unless it becomes necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

    He's arthritic, of course, but they feel he's in good overall health for his age.
     

Share This Page