Shaker Syndrome in Dogs: Causes and Treatment

Dogs with shaker syndrome develop rhythmic tremors that can affect the whole body or just the head, but for the most part they act completely normal. 

While the condition is often treatable and many dogs improve quickly with medication, any new shaking or tremors should be evaluated by a veterinarian to rule out toxins, infections, seizures, or other neurologic conditions.  

Small-breed dogs—especially white breeds like Maltese, West Highland White Terriers, and Poodles—are most affected, though dogs of any breed or size can develop shaker syndrome. 

The tremors often worsen with excitement or activity and improve during rest or sleep. 

Fortunately, with prompt veterinary care and treatment, many dogs experience significant improvement within one to two weeks. 

Summary

Shaker syndrome in dogs causes tremors. The tremors often involve the whole body and look like rhythmic shaking. They can also be isolated to just the head. 

The tremors may be worse when dogs are excited or exercising. 

Aside from the tremors, dogs with shaker syndrome otherwise act normal. They typically continue to eat, drink, play, and go to the bathroom like a typical dog. 

While shaker syndrome is not considered a medical emergency, there are several toxins that can cause tremors that may look similar. 

If your dog has new tremors, they should be seen by a veterinarian sooner rather than later. Tremors in dogs are considered a medical emergency when there is any possible toxin exposure or if they are otherwise not acting normally. 

Symptoms

Common symptoms of shaker syndrome in dogs include: 

• Whole-body shaking 

• Head tremors 

• Trembling worsens with exercise or excitement 

• Trembling improves when resting and resolves when asleep 

• Rarely, rapid-eye movements or balance issues 

Causes

Shaker syndrome in dogs is considered idiopathic, meaning we don’t know exactly what causes it.  

Because this condition responds to steroid treatment, it’s assumed to be an autoimmune disease. This means that the immune system is attacking its own cells. 

Historically, small-breed white dogs, like Maltese, Poodles, and West Highland White Terriers, were predominantly affected by shaker syndrome. 

We now know that shaker syndrome can affect any dog of any color or size, but it’s much more common in small-breed dogs under 30 pounds. 

Dogs usually develop signs when they are young adults, often under 2 years old. 

Diagnosis

Shaker syndrome is usually diagnosed by ruling out other conditions. 

Your veterinarian will start with a complete physical exam. They will likely want to run blood work, urine tests, and X-rays to rule out other common causes of tremors. 

While this may be enough to diagnose many little white shaker patients, sometimes a referral to a veterinary neurologist is recommended. 

This is more common when a vet is concerned about bacterial or viral encephalitis, a condition involving inflammation of the brain. 

The neurologist may recommend the following tests: 

• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tap: This test involves collecting fluid from the spinal cord to look at the cells and check for the presence of infectious disease. 

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test involves putting your dog under anesthesia and examining their brain and/or spinal cord. 

• Serology or PCR for infectious disease: These tests often involve collecting more blood to look for antibodies or viral/bacterial DNA that might indicate the presence of an infection. 

It’s helpful to record tremor episodes on video to show your vet in case your pup doesn’t exhibit them during the visit. 

Let your vet know if you notice any pattern as to when the tremors occur. 

Treatment

Shaker syndrome in dogs can be cured in some dogs and managed long-term in others. Some dogs will undergo treatment, then be weaned off medication. Others may need meds long-term to prevent shaking episodes. 

Fortunately, affected dogs usually respond well to treatment, with tremors often resolving completely within a week or two of starting medication. 

Shaker syndrome is treated with steroids, most commonly prednisone. 

Occasionally, patients who don’t respond well to treatment may need additional immunosuppressive medications, like mycophenolate. 

Recovery and Management

Recovery from shaker syndrome in dogs usually takes a week or two before the tremors resolve. 

After the tremors have gone away, your vet will likely reduce the prednisone to the lowest effective dose over time. Some dogs can come off steroids altogether. If their symptoms return, they may be placed back on them. 

Prednisone commonly causes increased drinking, urination, and appetite. 

Some pet parents find pee pads helpful to prevent accidents when their pup is on a high dose. 

These side effects should lessen as your dog’s dose is tapered down. 

A slow feeder may also be helpful to prevent overeating while on the medication. 

If you are concerned about missing a tremor episode because they’ve become less frequent, a collar bell (like Coastal Pet Products Round Dog Bells) may help you hear them from another room. 

Make sure the bell is well secured, as ingestion can be dangerous. 

Prevention

Because the underlying cause of shaker syndrome in dogs is suspected to be an autoimmune disease, often linked to genetics, there’s no reliable way to prevent shaker syndrome in dogs. 

Avoid breeding dogs affected by shaker syndrome.