Is there something wrong with The Demon?

[Dee*Jay]

A few weeks ago I woke up one night because the bed was shaking. The Demon was lying between me and the HH and he was trembling so badly that the whole bed was moving. It was like a violent shivvering for lack of a better description. He didn''t seem out of sorts mentally and when we got up and walked him around he seemed fine, but he shook a little again later after we all got back into bed. Then this morning he was down on his bed in my office and I noticed him trembling again.

When I look on the internet (the info source of all SCARY data!!!) I see things like epilepsy (although he isn''t clenching or chomping his teeth and his eye''s aren''t rolling around) and brain tumors and neurological problems.

Does anyone have any ideas what this might be? I plan on taking him to the vet this week, but if anyone has any thoughts beforehand that would be great...

 

[lyra]

How old is he? If he''s an older dog, they often just sleep a lot harder and deeper. Our 12.5 year old Bouvier yips and growls and kicks his legs or even snores when sleeping these days. But you''re right, there are neurological problems that could also be present. Don''t worry too much until you talk to the vet. Sending you good vibes!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Thanks Lyra. He is about 6 (we got him from the pound and he was picked up as a stray so we don''t know 100% hold old he is). I should have put in my original post that he was NOT SLEEPING whent his has happened. That is probably a critical detail and I left it out--sorry!

 

[monarch64]

DeeJay, our 4 yr. old beagle has epilepsy...sometimes he has all out grand mal seizures where he does the loss of bodily control thing/eye rolling/etc., and other times he has petit mal ones where he just shakes/trembles/drools for a few minutes and is kind of out of it then it''s over. Try not to get too scared by what you read online...until you go to the vet and discuss the Demon''s episodes and have testing done just try to keep him calm and maybe limit food/treats. And perhaps you can talk your HH into wrapping up a fecal specimen, hee hee, vets always love to have those if you have a chance to get one before you see them.

Good luck, hopefully this is a fluke sort of thing and nothing''s wrong with your dear Demon doggie. Sending positive vibes downtown tonight!!

 

[sumbride]

Did he eat anything weird? I''m just wondering if it could be some sort of reaction to a toxin.

If it is epilepsy, it is treatable. When are you going to the vet?

 

[sumbride]

Whoops... I also meant to say that our dog used to do this when it was thundering because she was scared of the thunder. She would tremble and shake, teeth chattering, the whole bit. We used to put a blanket on her and say "it will be ok" and as long as were touching her, she was ok. Is there a chance Demon has developed a fear of something?

 

[Kaleigh]

Casper trembles terribly during thunderstorms. Guessing you haven''t had any of those lately, just snow??

 

[monarch64]

Date: 1/21/2008 7:17:16 PM
Author: sumbride
Whoops... I also meant to say that our dog used to do this when it was thundering because she was scared of the thunder. She would tremble and shake, teeth chattering, the whole bit. We used to put a blanket on her and say ''it will be ok'' and as long as were touching her, she was ok. Is there a chance Demon has developed a fear of something?

I forgot to mention that too! I had a dog growing up who was terrified of thunder and would tremble/shiver something awful when we had a storm. Anything new going on around you that you can think might have scared the Demon, DeeJay?

 

[bee*]

As you''ve read, it could be any number of things. If it doesn''t continue I wouldn''t be too worried, but I''d bring him to the vets soon just to be on the safe side.It could be a neurological thing,but try not to worry too much as the majority of neurological issues are treatable. If you remember, my baby Amber had her mini-stroke nearly two months ago and she''s doing great since and hasn''t had another turn at all. Hope the demon is doing better!

 

[mrssalvo]

deejay, I have no clue as to what''s wrong with Dino, but just wanted to say try not to be too worried until you get him to the vet. Zoe sends doggie kisses his way!!

 

[golden]

I would get him to the vet immediately to make sure it is nothing serious and to make sure he is not in any kind of discomfort.
When Pierre is not feeling well, upset stomach, he shakes. He also shakes when there is any type of storm outside.
Prayers for your baby boy!!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Thank you all for the replies so far. The storm/fear thing is an interesting point. The Demon is HORRIBLY afraid of thunder and lightening, but I don''t recall any type of storm activity in the area either the night he woke me shaking or today. That being said, Chicago weather is unpredicable and maybe he was senstivie to something that I wasn''t, like a storm that passed over us. I will get him to the vet though becuase if he is in any type of discomfort I will never forgive myself. Oh dear... Now I''m dreading the worst...

 

[Skippy123]

DeeJay, I just wanted you to know I am thinking good thoughts/prayers for the Demon and a hug for you too!

 

[monarch64]

Date: 1/21/2008 10:15:52 PM
Author: Dee*Jay
Thank you all for the replies so far. The storm/fear thing is an interesting point. The Demon is HORRIBLY afraid of thunder and lightening, but I don''t recall any type of storm activity in the area either the night he woke me shaking or today. That being said, Chicago weather is unpredicable and maybe he was senstivie to something that I wasn''t, like a storm that passed over us. I will get him to the vet though becuase if he is in any type of discomfort I will never forgive myself. Oh dear... Now I''m dreading the worst...

DeeJ, don''t dread the worst...if the Demon''s otherwise normal, eating fine, playing, etc., then you probably don''t have cause for major concern, just get him to the vet for a checkup. How long ago was this shivering/trembling episode? Because I do recall a night a few weeks ago when different fronts were coming through (right around New Years) when I kept telling DH I saw lightning outside and heard thunder. Remember when it was like 40 or 50 degrees one day and then suddenly it was below freezing? I know that was only a couple weeks ago. So maybe the Demon was reacting to that weird bit of weather we had here?

 

[Dee*Jay]

Date: 1/21/2008 10:57:27 PM
Author: monarch64

Date: 1/21/2008 10:15:52 PM
Author: Dee*Jay
Thank you all for the replies so far. The storm/fear thing is an interesting point. The Demon is HORRIBLY afraid of thunder and lightening, but I don't recall any type of storm activity in the area either the night he woke me shaking or today. That being said, Chicago weather is unpredicable and maybe he was senstivie to something that I wasn't, like a storm that passed over us. I will get him to the vet though becuase if he is in any type of discomfort I will never forgive myself. Oh dear... Now I'm dreading the worst...

DeeJ, don't dread the worst...if the Demon's otherwise normal, eating fine, playing, etc., then you probably don't have cause for major concern, just get him to the vet for a checkup. How long ago was this shivering/trembling episode? Because I do recall a night a few weeks ago when different fronts were coming through (right around New Years) when I kept telling DH I saw lightning outside and heard thunder. Remember when it was like 40 or 50 degrees one day and then suddenly it was below freezing? I know that was only a couple weeks ago. So maybe the Demon was reacting to that weird bit of weather we had here?

Hmmm... Monnie, I think you might be on to something with the timing of a few weeks ago... but TODAY? I did have the weirdest sensation this morning when I was laying in bed the the whole house was shaking on several occasions, but I think that might be related to some construction in our area rather than any sort of weather related event. I really do hope it's that kind of thing though becuase I don't know what I'd do without my fist furry son. (Oh now, now I'm all teary just thinking about it... ) Do you think they will have to put him under to do an exray or an MRI or something like that? Is that dangerous? (Geez, what a blubbering wreck I am!)

 

[risingsun]

Dee*Jay~We had to have an MRI done on our dog two years ago. We took him to a state-of-the art imaging center and he was just fine with the procedure. I don''t know that you will have to do this, but if you do, I wanted to reassure you that these centers do an outstanding job. Our Charlie had a workup by a neurologist, who was wonderful, and helped us get through the entire procedure. That being said, I would take the Demon to your vet and have him evaluated. I hope it was just an anomaly.

 

[monarch64]

Deejay, you know I think were are kind of close to a fault line, maybe what you were feeling was a slight earthquake? Don''t laugh...it really is possible! I used to date a guy who lived in Evansville, IN when I was in college and we once experienced a 4.0 earthquake very early in the a.m. It was the strangest feeling.

I don''t think they will put the Demon completely under (not to my knowledge but I''m no expert) but they will probably sedate him to the point that he isn''t scared or needing to be held down or anything. The tests they did on Milo to rule out everything except epilepsy were mainly bloodwork related, they didn''t do an MRI or anything like that that I''m aware of. If they did have to put the Demon under for any reason, they would first discuss it with you and see if you were on board and tell you whether it was dangerous or not...trust me, I am a TOTAL worrier and I hate wondering if my pets are in pain or uncomfortable or scared, I''m like you in that our pets are our children...but I really do trust our vet and haven''t lived to regret that so far. Oh, DH just came by and he says Milo only had bloodwork and stool sample done to help rule out everything but epilepsy.

Are you happy with your current vet and do you trust her/him? If so, you''re doing everything you can to make sure your first fur-son is well taken care of. If you''re not totally comfortable with your vet maybe it''s making you more apprehensive about everything?

 

[Dee*Jay]

Monnie, first of all it''s funny you say that because we DON''T like our current vet. When we started going to that practice several years ago there was a woman veteranerian who we liked a lot, but she sold the practice and the man who took over just doesn''t thrill us as much. The good news is that I met a vet at one of my open houses that I like quite a bit and I''m happy to take The Demon (and Oscar) to her from this point forward.

Now that I''m thinking this over, a few months ago The Demon ripped off his little dew claw one night while we were out for a W-A-L-K and I had to take him to the emergency clinic. The put him under to remove what was left of the damaged claw, but they used what they called an "injectible" and they said it would go just under his skin and he''d be out only for a few minutes; long enough to get the claw taken care of, but that was it. He seemed fine after that, although they did keep him for an hour aftewards for observatio, so maybe something like that wouldn''t be so bad.

As for the earthquake, LOL, I was kind of thinking that, but I''m sure it would have been reported on the news or something. But here''s a funny side story: I lived in Idaho briefly when I was a teenager. Shortly after we moved out there I spend a few days "hearing" this crazy high pitched ringing inside my head, and then we actually did have an earthquake (I belive it was in 1983) and years later I read about people who can "hear" the plates of the earth sliding against each other. I think it''s called Brownian Motion, but don''t quote me on that. Geez--could I take this thread any further off topic, ha ha!

 

[divergrrl]

deejay, my aunt is a geologist, i''ll ask her...

how is demon? sending healthy doggie vibes your way!!!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Wouldn''t it be funny if we just had an earthquake and The Demon was fine.


(Geez, I''m getting loopy! Maybe I better turn off the computer and go to bed!)

 

[monarch64]

Date: 1/21/2008 11:53:37 PM
Author: Dee*Jay
Monnie, first of all it''s funny you say that because we DON''T like our current vet. When we started going to that practice several years ago there was a woman veteranerian who we liked a lot, but she sold the practice and the man who took over just doesn''t thrill us as much. The good news is that I met a vet at one of my open houses that I like quite a bit and I''m happy to take The Demon (and Oscar) to her from this point forward.

Now that I''m thinking this over, a few months ago The Demon ripped off his little dew claw one night while we were out for a W-A-L-K and I had to take him to the emergency clinic. The put him under to remove what was left of the damaged claw, but they used what they called an ''injectible'' and they said it would go just under his skin and he''d be out only for a few minutes; long enough to get the claw taken care of, but that was it. He seemed fine after that, although they did keep him for an hour aftewards for observatio, so maybe something like that wouldn''t be so bad.

As for the earthquake, LOL, I was kind of thinking that, but I''m sure it would have been reported on the news or something. But here''s a funny side story: I lived in Idaho briefly when I was a teenager. Shortly after we moved out there I spend a few days ''hearing'' this crazy high pitched ringing inside my head, and then we actually did have an earthquake (I belive it was in 1983) and years later I read about people who can ''hear'' the plates of the earth sliding against each other. I think it''s called Brownian Motion, but don''t quote me on that. Geez--could I take this thread any further off topic, ha ha!

Deejay, I swear I''m not some naturalist/veggie/whatever person who gets all excited over experiences like this...but it does kind of sound like you are maybe more tuned into things that go on with the earth than the average person. And you know animals are even more attuned...

I am totally not saying there was some plate movement of the earth going on since I am obviously no expert. But I do think that it''s quite possible that things have been shifting and maybe you had some small reaction and so did the Demon. Seriously! The more I read about these things (from time to time, it''s not really an interest of mine until things like this catch my eye I guess) the more I think there really is a connection between us and our pets who live inside with us and what goes on with our immediate geography. I really think some people are more well-equipped to sense things like this than others. Yeesh, everything I just said sounds kind of weird and I don''t mean for it to come across that way, you know...eh, whatever. You know what I mean, I think.

 

[Gypsy]

I''m kinda hoping for the geological explanation because I want Demon to be perfectly healthy always. You know I still people the story of him jumping into the water and your poor DH going in after him?

He''s a match for my Hally, and my prayers go out to your family and Demon.

 

[monarch64]

DeeJ, google "New Madrid fault." Your little Demon could really be an earthquake predictor....

 

[Lorelei]

I did have the weirdest sensation this morning when I was laying in bed the the whole house was shaking on several occasions, but I think that might be related to some construction in our area rather than any sort of weather related event. I really do hope it''s that kind of thing though becuase I don''t know what I''d do without my fist furry son.

Then maybe this has happened before and the DD picked up on it and you didn''t. You know how animals can hear much higher sound frequencies than we can? Maybe he could sense the construction work or some other sound / vibration and that is why he was trembling the other day - yet it was too subtle for you to detect. Try not to worry too much sweets, it could well have been what it was, but you can always take him to the vet and discuss it with her and get her to check TDD out to give you some peace of mind.

 

[~*Alexis*~]

I used to have a beagle that used to have seizures. The vet had said that not all seizures result in eye rolling but in shaking. He could be having those. I would take him to the vet to make sure though.

Good Luck.........***Fairy Dust*

 

[Catmom]

DJ,

I hope The Demon is feeling better and it turns out to be something very minor. We''ve had crazy weather lately, maybe he''s picking up on that? I can''t wait to hear what the vet says and I''''m sending positive thoughts his way that it''s nothing to worry about.

 

[golden]

When Pierre has to go to the bathroom, when he has held it in all night, he will shake for us to put him down to go to the bathroom, he won''t even move to get off the bed himself.

Also- is the construction close?? The banging could bother his ears. I heard that they know when the thunder is coming well before it is even here. And it is not the noise that scares them, but it actually hurts their inner ear. Poor babies!!

 

[aljdewey]

Date: 1/21/2008 10:15:52 PM
Author: Dee*Jay
Thank you all for the replies so far. The storm/fear thing is an interesting point. The Demon is HORRIBLY afraid of thunder and lightening, but I don''t recall any type of storm activity in the area either the night he woke me shaking or today. That being said, Chicago weather is unpredicable and maybe he was senstivie to something that I wasn''t, like a storm that passed over us. I will get him to the vet though becuase if he is in any type of discomfort I will never forgive myself. Oh dear... Now I''m dreading the worst...

Dee, dogs are far more sensitive to changes in barometric pressure and storm rumblings than we are, so it''s entirely possible that there was a weather disturbance of some sort that he was able to pick up on even though it wasn''t notable to you.

Where you said he seemed completely fine when he got up, it makes me think the storm answer makes sense.

My last sheltie was RIDICULOUSLY afraid of thunder/lightning....to the point of damaging the solid wood back door when she was afraid! There were days where she''d act all upset and I couldn''t understand it, and then 20-30 min later a storm would be notable to me. I realized she was probably aware of it long before I was.

I''d still take Demon to the vet, but I wouldn''t be overly worried while you wait to get there.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Thanks for all the replies and idea. I am still freaked out, but less so now. I called the new vet''s office this morning and she''s out of town through next week but I am going to take The Demon in when she gets back. Of course if something happens in the mean time I''ll take him to the old vet, but I really do like the new one much better. Hopefully it will be an issue of him just being more sensitive to weather events or earth movement or whatever.

LOL Monnie, I do understand what you mean! And that info on the New Madrid Fault was pretty interesting--thanks for that.

Gypsy, you''re so sweet. To bad we don''t live closer; Hally and The Demon could go swimming *together.*

Lorelei and Golden, it could very well have been the construction the other morning.

Alexis, thanks for that info about the seizures. I am going to be sure to ask the vet about it.

Catmom, our weather has indeed been wacky. Welcome to the Midwest!

Al, The Demon does absolutely freak out during thunder storms. He''ll somehow get himself into a bathtub or our stand-up shower and sit there an shake. It''s interesting you say that your previous dog would be reacting to the storm before you would even notice it; one of our signs that a storm is coming is that one of us will go, "Where''s The Demon?" and when we find him in some strange den-like place we know we''re going to have some weather soon.

I''m sure I''m just over reacting to all this and he''s probably just more sensitive to something than we are. (She concludes hopefully... )

 

[bee*]

Sending hugs to the Demon! I think that you''re doing the right thing bringing him to the new vet next week. As you said, if he has another shaking in the mean time, bring him to the old vet. It could be that he was just reacting to the weather!!

Amber sends licks to him also!