Shaking

Hi guys and gals

I'm a little stumped here. My 4 year old Staffie (female) has decided that she wants to shake and pant during the night, now she normally does this around fireworks, but for the last two weeks or so she's started doing it, only at night, she's perfectly fine and her usual self at night time. She has also had a good couple days where she's not had this problem, and I've been out of the house a lot more the last three weeks, but my mum is also at home to look after my two, and she always sleeps with me at night, so nothing new has changed. She has an diffuser but I'm told conflicting things about them (one it takes 24 hours to take effect, another person says several weeks). Any ideas what on earth has caused this? Nothing new has been introduced into the home, and there's no noises at night time that arent the usual fox barking, sirens etc which she is used to.

Thanks!

Not sure. Is she maybe just too hot? Its a strange time, its soooo cold but then so warm sometimes. Probably messing her up. I know my horses have been shedding, shaking and scratching like mad but then shivering too.

Has anything else change? Diet, medication for something, a change in household products? I'm just wondering if it's a reaction to something.

It's worth keeping a diary, noting exact things like weather, what she's eaten, what sounds there are from outside as well as inside the house, etc., as something that can throw up a pattern you'd not otherwise have spotted.

If you really can't put your finger on what might be triggering it, I'd pop to the vet. It might be something medical that's causing her distress at night. I'd certainly want to rule that out.

That's what I thought at first Lexii, but I opened the windows and she still does it.

She didn't do it again last night, so I'm not sure, nothing new has changed in terms of household. She eats as normal, only has medication for her ripped claw but that was done last friday this has been happening before then. and she was fit and well and no injury. I did call the vet Liz, and they suggested a full blood work, to rule out anything going on that we can't see, but i'm iffy with it in case its going to cause her more stress.

Sometimes dogs can hear or sense things that we can't. It's possible that she has heard/sensed something at night which frightened her & she's remembering it.

The Adaptil diffusers should work within about 48 hours, but the diffuser may not be strong enough. Did you know that you can get an Adaptil spray which you can spray on bedding etc, so more direct?

Hi Gillybrent.

I was told by a pet shop believe it or not, that the Adaptil diffusers are for dogs and strays are for cats, they never mentioned I could get it for dogs too.

ScoobiDoo18 wrote:. I did call the vet Liz, and they suggested a full blood work, to rule out anything going on that we can't see, but i'm iffy with it in case its going to cause her more stress.

By the sounds of it, though, her nights can be more stressful than a quick blood test would be. I wouldn't not do it because of that.

Blood tests booked. So hopefully it'll tell more.

Fingers crossed, but even if they don't reveal anything it'll be something you can eliminate in your hunt for the cause.

ScoobiDoo18 wrote:Hi Gillybrent.

I was told by a pet shop believe it or not, that the Adaptil diffusers are for dogs and strays are for cats, they never mentioned I could get it for dogs too.

Absolutely you can. You can get them on Amazon. Adaptil isn't for cats anyway - that's Feliway

So obviously I was misinformed by the shop. I've just ordered the spray and collar so hopefully that works, while waiting on the bloods.

Let's hope one or other of them will ease her confusion a little.

I think if the bloods are all ok I would go with the theory that something has spooked Maisie, something you can't hear. Hopefully the bloods come back clear and then you can try to figure out what is spooking her