My 3-year-old Rottie/Shepherd mix seems to be very touch sensitive. He quivers when he’s touched on his flanks and back. It seems to be in surprise rather than pain, as if he’s not expecting to be touched, though he doesn’t react similarly to touch elsewhere and he doesn’t object to it – it just seems to surprise him. He doesn’t whine or otherwise vocalize. He sees his vet regularly and is in good health.

Margaret
South Austin, TX

Trembling and quivering are very common in pets. Almost anything that can make a human tremble or quiver can make a pet do so as well. There are some exceptions. For instance, I have yet to see a dog or cat tremble upon hearing his favorite piece of music.

Certain medical conditions and metabolic irregularities can lead to trembling, quivering, or increased sensitivity to touch. But based upon your description I doubt that your dog has a medical problem.

Every person has experienced a chill go down the spine when his or her skin was touched in just the right way. That is what I suspect is happening in your dog.

The most sensitive area on many pets is along the back, especially near the tail. This area appears to have highly sensitized nerve endings. Many cats especially are prone to twitching their skin when this area is stroked. Some cats are so sensitive in this area that they engage in compulsive grooming behavior when scratched near the base of the tail.

Flea allergies sometimes exacerbate the sensitivity of the skin and may cause increased twitching when pets are handled. But I am guessing that fleas aren’t playing a role in your dog’s behavior. As long as your dog doesn’t seem distressed when you pet him, I see nothing to worry about.

Photo: there are no reports of excessive skin sensitivity in Sophie.

Lori
Milford MI

Jaw quivering is a form of trembling. Usually it is harmless.

Jaw quivering is especially common in older dogs (and people). In these individuals it usually is progressive but it almost never compromises quality of life.

Four-month-old puppies generally do not suffer from progressive jaw trembling. The shaking is more likely a transient issue that occurs as the puppy’s nervous system matures.

Rarely, a quivering jaw may be a sign of poisoning or a serious neurological disorder. However, I’ll bet that your son’s puppy is simply going through a phase. I don’t think you should worry too much about this matter.

Jude
Union Springs

I suspect that your dog is suffering from demodicosis, or puppy mange. You can find out all about it on my new website.

http://drbarchas.com/demodex

What can be causing my dog to constantly lick her
paws and backside?

Jessica
Woodbridge, NJ

Excessive licking usually is caused by itching. What you ask, causes itching in pets? That information is available on my new website. Check it out!

http://drbarchas.com/itching

My nine-year-old mixed breed dog Panda has for the
last couple of years developed a sort of facial
tic – her lower jaw will jerk up and down as if
she was cold and chattering her teeth. She does it
more and more frequently and I’ve even noticed
her doing it in her sleep. Should I be concerned?

Terry
Chattanooga, TN

I don’t think you should be concerned. Jaw chattering usually is a form of trembling. Read all about it on my new website.

http://drbarchas.com/trembling

Dear Dr. Barchas,
I have two miniature Dachshunds. They are mates,
and they are both 10 years old. They are obese.
The male, George, weighs 20 pounds, and the
female, Gracie, weighs 19 pounds. They are both
trained to relieve themselves outside. They very
rarely ever make a mess inside the house unless
we have to leave them home alone for some reason,
although we always try to take them with us when
we go somewhere as much as possible. I have
noticed in the last couple of weeks that Gracie
has begun to urinate in the house, and in our
vehicle. She has NEVER done this before! Both
George and Gracie sleep with us at night, in our
bed. I have had to wash our sheets about four times
in the last two weeks because she has urinated on
our sheets and covers. Do you know what would be
making her do this? Should I be alarmed and take
her to her vet, or is it just because she is
getting older? Thank you so very much!
Sincerely,

Sherry
Louisville, Tenn.

Do I even need to say it? Read about inappropriate canine urination here:

http://drbarchas.com/canine_housesoiling

And read about canine obesity here:

http://drbarchas.com/canine_obesity

Please always feel welcome to search my website for answers to your pet-related questions. It’s completely free! Everyone is also welcome to enjoy the photo galleries, and to submit photos of your own to

petpeoplephotos@yahoo.com

for publication on the site. By submitting photos you grant me the right to publish them.

Gail
Huntsville, AL

Probably not. Trembling is a very common–and very nonspecific–behavior in dogs.

You are correct that cold and fear are two of the most frequent causes of trembling. Other causes include but by no means are limited to excitement, hunger, muscle fatigue, nausea and transient harmless nerve impulses.

However, there are some more serious causes of trembling. Low blood sugar, liver shunts, certain forms of epilepsy and electrolyte imbalances are on the list.

If your dog is eating, drinking, and eliminating normally the odds that something serious is going on are slim. Nonetheless, I think a vet visit is in order to confirm this.