TL;DR: Excitement tremors are common, non-emergency muscle contractions triggered by high arousal; however, you should seek veterinary care if tremors occur during rest or involve loss of consciousness.
What are excitement tremors in dogs and why do they happen?
Excitement tremors are involuntary muscle contractions that often occur when a dog is in a state of high arousal, whether that be from joy, anticipation, or mild stress. In many cases, these tremors are simply a physical manifestation of an adrenaline surge. While any breed can experience this, it is frequently seen in smaller breeds or high-energy working dogs.
How do I know if my dog's tremors are a medical emergency?
- The urgency level for tremors that occur specifically during excitement is generally Low.
- If your dog remains conscious, responsive, and returns to a normal state once they calm down, it is usually not a medical emergency.
- You should contact a veterinarian for a non-emergency appointment to rule out neurological conditions if the tremors occur while the dog is sleeping, are accompanied by a loss of consciousness, or involve stiffening of the limbs.
How does video documentation help the veterinarian triage my dog?
- Tremors are often intermittent and triggered by specific environments, meaning your dog may not exhibit the behavior during a physical exam at the clinic.
- Recording a clear video of the episode is the most effective way to help your veterinarian reach a diagnosis.
- A video allows the doctor to see the exact pattern of the movement and which muscle groups are involved.
- Visual documentation helps the vet assess the dog's level of awareness, which is critical in determining the difference between behavioral shaking and a focal seizure.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Gross whole body tremors involving the limbs, trunk, head, and eyes may be present. These tremors lessen or disappear when the animal is resting or sleeping but reappear on arousal and increase with excitement, and are very noticeable when the animal is eating, representing a severe form of intention tremor. Affected animals may have difficulty standing and ambulating, with possible limb weakness resulting in deficient postural test reactions. While vision and other cranial nerve function may appear normal, pendular or jerk nystagmus may occasionally be observed with voluntary eye movement. Consider that early clinical signs of hypocalcemia include mild tremors, twitching, muscle spasms, and gait changes (stiffness and ataxia) resulting from increased neuromuscular excitability, potentially progressing to severe tremors, tetany, generalized seizure activity, coma, and death.
Chapter: Neurology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1237)