Shaking Puppy Syndrome in Dogs

Category: Nervous System & Behavioral
Breeds documented: 1
Published sources: 5

Overview

Too little myelin, the covering around nerve fibers, can cause a puppy's whole body to shake. Tremors become noticeable when the puppy stands or walks and disappear during sleep. Several inherited forms exist, so the course varies. In the Weimaraner form, tremors often improve as the puppy grows, although a mild back-leg tremor may remain.

Signs to watch for

Whole-body shaking when standing or walking
Bouncing up and down in a regular rhythm
Back legs shaking more than the front legs
Shaking that disappears during sleep
Trouble walking when the shaking is severe

Signs often appear in the first weeks after birth, when puppies start walking.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if your dog cannot walk.

Diagnosis and tests

A vet considers the puppy's age, tremor pattern and neurological examination. An MRI scan can help assess the brain and spinal cord. For Weimaraners, the HYM DNA test identifies dogs affected by the known inherited form and dogs that carry it.

Breeds with documented risk

1 breed

By breed size

1 Large

WeimaranerLarge · Sporting Group

Inheritance

Not yet known
None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.