If dogs suddenly start twitching as if they were being electrocuted, it could be a sign of epilepsy. However, if your four-legged friend twitches uncontrollably while sleeping, then it is usually due to his dreams. But there are also other potential causes.
In any case, you should take this behavior seriously and question it. A variety of diseases can damage the nerves and thus affect the muscles.
Below you will learn about the 3 most common causes and how you can recognize them. You will also find out which measures can help in a specific case.
Are you worried or unsure? Then click here to start a live chat with a veterinarian.
#1 Epilepsy
Unfortunately, epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases in dogs. Affected four-legged friends experience epileptic seizures at irregular intervals.
During these seizures, the nerve cells mistakenly release too many signals at once. The result? The dog starts to twitch as if he were being electrocuted.
To an outsider, such attacks look very scary. I can attest to that myself. Fortunately, in almost all cases they are completely painless. Other signs include:
- Sudden collapse
- Foam around the mouth
- No perception ability
- Disorientation
- Dog drools profusely
- Stiffening of all limbs
- Uncontrolled twitching
- Confused behavior
- Sudden incontinence
- Stare [1]
According to studies, almost 1% of all dogs suffer from epilepsy. The risk is highest in male dogs and young four-legged friends. However, it is rarer in female dogs. [2]
Fortunately, such attacks are usually harmless. It is a myth that affected dogs swallow their tongues more often. Biting your tongue, on the other hand, happens more often.
Unfortunately, epilepsy is rarely curable. The symptoms can be treated well with the help of medication. The correct dose is the be-all and end-all here.
In order to assess the severity, the length is measured in addition to the frequency. In addition, an adjustment to your diet is often recommended. [3]
Epileptic dogs experience seizures at irregular intervals. When they enter, the four-legged friends start to twitch uncontrollably, as if they were being electrocuted. In addition, all of their limbs stiffen and they don't notice anything around them.
#2 Dreams
Studies on dogs have shown that they go through the same sleep phases as humans. But they dream much more often than we do.
The reason? Your sleep cycles don't last 90 minutes, but only around 20 minutes. In addition, an average dog sleeps around 12 hours rather than 7-8 hours. [4]
The result? Dogs experience the REM phase much more often, during which dreams primarily occur. This is even increased in puppies and very old dogs.
If your dog twitches in his sleep as if he were being electrocuted, then it is most likely due to a dream. But why do dogs kick so much in dreams?
This is primarily because dreams help us process situations we have experienced. And dogs walk quite a bit in their everyday lives. Other typical signs of this are:
- Moving eyelids
- Dog barks in his sleep
- Sudden startling
- Growling in sleep [5]
Researchers have also found that dogs predominantly dream about breed-specific behavior. A sniffer dog therefore often follows a scent in a dream.
There is no reason to worry here. Our dog “Alex” twitches and barks almost every night. And it's not for nothing that they say you shouldn't wake sleeping dogs.
Dogs process situations they have experienced while they sleep. This often causes them to suddenly start twitching in their sleep, as if they were being electrocuted. Unlike a seizure, dogs in this condition can easily be woken up.
This is what a seizure in a dog looks like:
#3 Other causes
In addition to dreams and epilepsy, other causes can also trigger strong and uncontrolled twitches:
During pregnancy, not only hormones change massively, but also electrolyte balance. This can also cause uncontrolled muscle twitching.
In addition, pregnancy can usually be recognized by the fact that the stomach swells, the dog is easily irritable, suddenly very hungry and is unusually trusting.
During a stroke, a sudden loss of certain areas of the brain occurs due to a circulatory disorder. You can usually tell by the facial expression.
Affected dogs suddenly become unresponsive, lose their balance and tremble as if they had been electrocuted. Some also empty their bladders. [6]
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When dogs are given the wrong medication or the wrong dose, the likelihood of unexpected side effects increases greatly.
In addition to twitching, diarrhea, nausea and skin irritation often occur. Liver and kidney damage can also occur over a long period of time.
If the blood sugar level falls so low that it causes physical problems, then doctors also speak of “low blood sugar” or “hypoglycemia”.
During physical activity, tremors and seizures are more common. Uncontrolled twitching, disorientation and fainting are also typical here. [7]
A variety of heart diseases can lead to fainting, which looks like a seizure. This is especially true for an abnormal heart rate.
Affected dogs often start coughing, panting heavily and tense up. Sometimes they twitch like an electric shock and are no longer responsive.
If there are too few red blood cells in the dog's blood, then doctors speak of “anemia”. It is best recognized by the light-colored gums.
It is also typical for affected dogs to become exhausted quickly, suddenly gain weight and breathe quickly. Uncontrolled shaking is also common here. [8]
Some minerals are responsible for fluid distribution in the dog's body. Examples of these are sodium and potassium. Doctors refer to these as “electrolytes”.
The problem? Too many or too few of these electrolytes can affect muscle function. Among other things, this can manifest itself in uncontrolled twitching.
Distemper is a deadly viral disease for which there is now a vaccination. It is now even part of the mandatory vaccinations in Germany. [9]
In infected dogs, nerve damage occurs, which leads to so-called “distemper ticks”. Affected dogs twitch in a similar way to an electric shock.
Even common foods can cause poisoning in dogs. Depending on the type of poisoning, this can also cause nerve disorders and nerve damage.
Typical symptoms include sudden breathing problems, foaming at the mouth and excessive drooling. In addition, poisoned dogs behave unusually listless.
Every muscle movement is started by the brain and transported via the nerves of the spine. Injuries to the head or back can damage the nerves.
Such injuries can often be recognized by the dog suddenly limping, constantly shaking itself or losing its balance. Twitching is also more common. [10]
In theory, a rabies infection could also be behind the symptoms. But this primarily applies to dogs from abroad. Because rabies is extinct in Germany.
Affected dogs usually react very irritably and have foam around their mouths. Breathing problems and twitching like an electric shock are also more common.
In addition to injuries, a variety of tumors in the brain can also affect the nerves. The most common symptoms here include seizures.
Depending on the severity, dogs may start to shake their heads uncontrollably, lose their balance and sometimes lose their eyesight. [11]
In addition to epilepsy, other causes can also lead to nerve damage. These include brain tumors, poisoning, injuries and distemper. But hypoglycemia or strokes can also cause dogs to suddenly twitch uncontrollably.
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