Have you been wondering if your dog shivering after a bath? I know I have been through this several times. I thought it was just my dog sleeping, and I continued to use the same shampoo and conditioner. Of course, after a while, I came to realize that my dog wasn’t sleeping. It was shaking.
Why does my dog shiver after a warm bath?
Even if you give your dog a bath, the water cools as it evaporates and could make your dog cold. Small dog breeds are more vulnerable to cold water when they are exposed.
For your dog to be more comfortable after drying off and wrapping her in warm towels and put her next to an open flame or heater following taking a bath. Some dogs are afraid of blow dryers; However, If your dog is ok with it, the blow dryer could assist in warming her.
You may like: my dog ate a hair tie, What Should I do?
Shivering is a normal habit.
When your dog shivers, this is considered a good sign. Your dog is telling you that it is feeling warmer and trying to get rid of the moisture it has collecting in the form of sweat. This dogs shivering is normal and usually will subside within 24 hours. If your dog begins to shiver more and longer than normal, you should take him to the vet immediately to rule out any medical causes for the behavior.
Excessive heat.
Another cause for dogs shivering after a bath is due to excessive heat. There may be several reasons why your dog is panting excessively. One common reason is that he feels hot and needs to cool down. He could also be sick or even mentally stressed. If your dog is panting due to one of these reasons, you should take him to the vet as soon as possible to rule out any medical causes of the behavior.
You may like: how to express dog anal glands.
Allergy.
If your dog’s shaking persists, he may have an allergy that is causing his shivering. To treat the allergy, you should start by removing all dog treats from his cage and giving him a full body massage. You can use a lotion to soothe your dog as well. This will help calm his nerves and start shivering less throughout the day. Be sure not to leave your dog alone until the effects of the massage wear off because he may develop an allergy to the massage.
Generalized Tremor Syndrome (GTS).
Generalized tremor syndrome, also called White shaker dog syndrome or idiopathic cerebellitis, can affect the central part’s nervous system. It is described as an inflammation of the cerebellum, which is the area of the brain responsible for the coordination of muscles movements. The disorder is prevalent among white coat dogs, but all breeds can be affected. Maltese and West Highland White Terriers Bichon Frise, Poodles, and Samoyeds are at risk. The signs could be mistaken for hypothermia or anxiety due to the presence of a low body temperature. Your pet might be treated with corticosteroids, like prednisone, which can help ease the inflammation.
Dog distemper.
Distemper is a disease that typically affects young and adult dogs who are not vaccine-vaccinated. Younger dogs that haven’t been vaccinated are particularly vulnerable. The virus can affect the respiratory, gastrointestinal, central, and respiratory systems.
Along with shivering, you might also notice coughing and sneezing and mucus flowing out of the nose and eyes, Lethargy, fever, abrupt vomiting or diarrhea, and a loss of appetite. Contact your vet right away when you notice this symptom!
Hypoglycemia (Low Glucose Levels)
Instances of hypoglycemia can afflict small breed dogs. Hypoglycemia refers to low blood sugar and can cause shakes, muscle weakness, the stumbling of tremors, weakness and loss of appetite, seizures, and the development of comas if not treated. Small dog’s such as toy and teacup breeds are especially susceptible to this issue.
You may like: what poodle mixes don’t shed?
Anxiety disorders
Some breeds of dogs are more prone to developing anxiety disorders and can even experience the shakes if put into a stressful situation. However, if your dog does not seem to be stressed and has not been overly stressed before, then it is unlikely that he is suffering from an anxiety disorder. He could also be experiencing something serious such as cancer, kidney failure, tumors, or nerve damage. In these cases, a dog shivering after bath time may mean something else altogether.
Shivering After Surgery?
The shaking or shivering within the initial few hours is normal. It’s the body’s reaction to anesthesia. Since anesthesia can alter the body’s natural metabolism and the hypothalamus (an animal’s body’s temperature) and your dog’s hypothalamus (an internal thermostat) shakes to keep warm. If your dog’s shaking after returning to the hospital following surgery, wrap him in a blanket to keep the home warm.
Conclusion.
The good news is that dog shiver’s most common causes after bath time are usually very mild and will not require any medical treatment. You should not worry if your dog shivers after bath time. It is a normal reaction to feel cold or anxious, but if it becomes more frequent or severe, it may be a sign of a much more serious problem. Please consult your vet immediately to ensure that what is causing the dog shivering is not life-threatening and that your dog can get back to his normal self later on. In the case of cancer, kidney failure, tumors, and other serious problems, early detection and treatment can save your dog’s life.
