Posted: 10/10/2010 7:41:01 AM EDT
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This morning my lab, Stella, jumped up on the bed to wake us up, and when we started to pet her, she began quickly chattering her teeth. It seemed like she couldn't control it, and it lasted like that for about 10 seconds. She ate about half of her food this morning (she's typically a pig), and she hasn't pooped yet. She seems pretty normal otherwise. We're going to keep monitoring her just to make sure she goes to the bathroom regularly. Do you know what it could be or have any advise otherwise? Here's our girl:  |
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Sounds like a tremor, or low grade seizure. If you've never noticed it before, maybe a visit with the vet is in order. Once every now and then, my Aussie has a slight head tremor. Her head will shake a little for a few seconds. It stops soon enough, or I can make it stop by petting her head. She's done this a few times a year since she was a puppy, so it's probably not anything to worry about given that she's 10 now and no harm done. CJ |
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some dogs do this when they smell an odor they like (for example when he jumps in bed and smells his people). my dog has done this when i've see him for the first time after being gone for weeks. Dogs have a 'taste/smell' organ in the roof of their mouth and by chattering their teeth they can "taste" a smell.
OR it could be dental pain OR it could be a seizure (as previously posted) |
Well, my wife decided it was time for a vet visit. The vet said it seems like epilepsy, and that it begins to show symptoms in labs about her age. They're doing blood work to make sure all of her organs are ok. The vet said that as long as the espisodes don't last long, there is no need to treat it, and it won't shorten her life. The poor thing looked so scared, though.  Edit to add, we really appreciate everyone's input. Thank you. |
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One of our Border Collies began having Grand Mall seizures when he was about 3-4 years old. It was awful to watch him loose control of himself. Eventually, we figured out that there was a pattern to the seizures. Our dog would sleep very soundly when he was asleep. Our living room was directly over the garage. When we would come home and hit the automatic garage door opener, the humm and vibration of the door opening would startle him awake, and trigger the seizure.
We told the vet and she said it could be possible, just as some human seizures are triggered by things like strobe lights. So, we began making sure he was awake before we opened the garage door. He hasn't had a seizure in over 5 years now. Maybe something like this is going on with your dog. Many things can trigger seizures, sounds, smells, brain activity. And there are many levels of seizures from petit mall to gran mall. Our little toy American Eskimo had petit mall seizures when she got really old..little things like paw movements or licking...almost like a tic. But they would only last a little while, and talking to her, or picking her up and loving her, or giving her some treat almost always ended the seizure immediately. Lots to consider, but I would take your dog to the vet, and look for any pattern, no matter how odd..who the hell would have thought that the vibrations of the garage door opener would be a trigger? Best of Luck. |
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