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Having the shakes, in pain at night

933 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  ChugChug
Sorry I haven't intro'd myself, in a bit of a hurry. Several years ago my Chug would wake me up in the middle of the night, shaking and licking his lips, in pain. It may last 20 minutes, it may last an hour or 2. I've taken him to 2 different Vets, they are at a loss. The latest Vet thinks it may be his back, did an xray, looks like, maybe some disk problems, but he runs, jumps, without any problem. In October started doing Laser treatments on his back. Problem is, this shaking only happens every few months, I've noticed it happens mostly with the change in the seasons.

He's neutered, about 6 years old, found him as a stray when he was about 6-9 months old. Lives with 3 other dogs, and a cat. His appetite is good. When it first started happening, I thought it may be his head, then this second vet thinks it's his back, now I'm starting to think it's his abdomen, as this morning when he had the shakes his tummy was gurgling pretty loudly, and I'd noticed the gurgling last time he had the shakes.

In the last 6 days he's woken us up shaking every other day, so for some reason it's becoming more frequent.

I'm just throwing this out there to see if anyone has anything like this happen, and, if they got a diagnosis or have ANY idea. Years ago I did see him have a small episode, like a mini mal seizure. He just stiffened up some, knew he'd had a seizure as he wet the bed he was on. Had a dog once that had grand mal seizures, so I know it wasn't a grand mal.
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Bloodwork done and all was fine, don't know if the latest vet has an ultrasound, but they did do xrays. Thanks, for your input. He doesn't have any of the classic signs of pancreatitis. No vomiting, his appetite is good, no fever, no diarrhea
Nope, not that, same routine every day, eats breakfast about the same time, dinner about the same time. His shaking has always been around 3 to 4 am, and may last from 20 minutes to 2 hours.
His shaking was very sporadic, maybe every 5 months, I noticed it mostly occurred when the seasons changed, or may just be my imagination. He was fine last night, but this morning after breakfast I knew something was starting, he became very needy. I picked him up and carried him around, and he's now in my lap, shaking and licking. This is the worse it's been, every other day for about 7 days. Where before it was once every 5 months or so.
Have an appointment today for a Neurological work up. Will keep the forum posted.
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Well, took him to the vet yesterday, they don't think it's neurological. The newest theory is acid reflux, possibly an ulcer. Have meds for him, we will see what happens. I have noticed, more lately, that when he gets the shakes, licking, his abdomen is grumbling, which is anywhere from 3am to, now, 6am. Husband gives all 4 dogs a 1/2 slice of cheese at lunch time, maybe with guy getting older, 6, he's really lactose intolerant, and can't handle the cheese anymore?? He had the shakes again this morning at 5:45, and is sitting in my lap, not shaking but wants to be held. Rubbing his belly seemed to make him feel better.

He can be a nervous nelly, so an ulcer could be the problem.
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When does he get fed? Check with your vet but what I'd do is give him a carbohydrate rich snack last thing. Carbs take a little longer to digest so would give him something in his tummy longer. Mashed potato, rice or even a biscuit might help a lot.
Thanks, good idea about the biscuit at bedtime. ,They eat about 3:30 pm, kinda early, but that's what they're used to. I'm gonna start feeding everyone later, and later, so it's closer to 6pm. Don't know how we got the 3:30 feedings started.
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Update- So, I've been feeding the dogs later in the afternoon, he gets his pill with his evening meal. I give him a couple of small dog biscuits at bedtime. He is much better, hope this keeps up. Thanks everyone for your input.
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