Have you ever heard of White Dog Shaker Syndrome? I didn’t until today either…
It’s official scientific name is idiopathic cerebellitis.
I “Stumbled Upon” a site that talked vaguely about this phenomenon with small white dogs, which includes the Maltese Terrier, West Highland White Terrier, small white Poodles, and Bichon Frises. Less often, this syndrome affects Yorkshire Terriers and Beagles.
It is a disorder developing in small white dogs around the age of 1 or 2 years old. It causes a diffuse intention tremor throughout the dog’s entire body.
The actual cause is unknown, but it does seem to be onset by stress. An intention tremor means that it happens when the dog starts to “do” something, such as walk, eat, stress…these could all possibly cause the tremor to occur. Once the dog starts to relax or rest, the tremor will decrease and then stop. It can be anywhere between mild to severe.
It is speculated that it could be caused by an overall generalized neurotransmitter deficiency. It does not affect your dog’s personality and is not known to be painful. However, depending upon how severe the tremors are, you may opt to have your dog checked out by a veterinarian, and they will decide whether to treat them with medication.
Some dogs may be on treatment for their entire life, which could consist of corticosteroids or diazepam.
It is not known whether or not this syndrome is inherited in dog breeds.
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I hope you enjoyed today’s installment of Terrier Lover! Until next time…
Love Your Terrier,
Kimberly Edwards 
P.S. Add me as a friend on Stumble Upon
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I may have been wrong. I might have seen something similar to this on America’s Funniest Videos where the people filming the dog had no clue this was what was indeed ‘bothering’ their pet.
My mother has a Westie-Poo, named Sugar, that has very similar attacks and we were unaware that this is an actual “common” syndrome in small, white dogs…
She will out-of-the-blue fall to the floor and start “seizing” or tremoring with her teeth chattering, legs “running” and it will last a minute or so…Then it will spontaneously discontinue…
She is fine after and it does not seem to be painful…At least we know it is not a unique incident…She may have a few “fits” per year…She is not on any medication to treat this as it is so infrequent.
Kimberly Edwards
http://TerrierLover.com
On Stumble Upon, my friend, kelliannie, shared this with me:
“I’ve never heard of this syndrome. We had a Maltese also. They are great comics. I’m even looking for one right now, to buy as I move out, so that my schnauzer Annie won’t be alone. Horses have a Fatal White gene. The foals don’t live long.”
Kimberly Edwards
P.S. Add me as a friend on Stumble Upon – http://pieofangel17.stumbleupon.com
My maltese started shaking the other day I first thought it was because he had been gromed and had a haircut, after a day I called the vet and he immediately said White Shaker Dog, took him in in the pm and he stayed overnight as he had become dehydrated, home today and is much better but on prednisone and a calming agent for two weeks and then we will see what else has to be done, I am making sure he drinks but when he does not I use a turkey baster to get a little water in him, so far so good, Love my VET!
Hi Christina…
Poor baby! I’m glad I could give you some general information about this syndrome and that your vet was knowledgeable.
Yes, Prednisone is a typical drug given to aid the dogs in recovery and prevention.
My mother’s West Highland Terrier – Poodle mix has something very similar to this where she locks up.
She gets a funny look in her eye and goes stiff as a board, stuck until it releases her – typically a few minutes.
It was really scary this last time, as my mother ran in the room telling us she thought Sugar had passed away because she was so stiff for so long…
Well, Christina, your little guy’s personality won’t change and he’ll just need some extra lovin’ from his mama, which I’m sure you’re happy to give!
You sound like a great doggy mommy!
Kimberly
I have a 6 year old Jack Russell who is white and born deaf. This spring he started shaking and acting like his limbs were heavy weights and was not getting up to eat or drink. He was loosing weight and dehydrating. The vet DX him with the white dog shaking syndrome and he took prednisone for three months and he turned into his old self again and walked with no difficulty with steps and I weaned him off the medications and he did terrific for almost three months. But this past weekend he started acting weird again and the shaking is back. He looks at you like he is aware that something is wrong but can not control it…. He wants to have someone either sitting with him or holding him and then he relaxes. He is now back on the prednisone and we will have to see what happens. I feel helpless for him.
Hi Peggy…
I’m so very sorry – it hurts my heart for those poor little doggy souls out there that have problems. It makes me sad because they’re so loving and sweet.
Keep on trying, Peggy…just let him know things will be okay and comfort him to make it all less scary for him.
I do hope the Prednisone helps this time again. It might be something he has to take on a regular basis to keep him symptom free.
I wish your JR blessings and happiness!
Thanks for commenting. Hope to see you around here again,
Kimberly