Why is my 10-year-old Rat Terrier shivering and panting? Could it be Cushing's?

Some common symptoms of Cushings's are panting, increased thirst/urination, but these are also common symptoms of many diseases. Bloodwork and endocrine testing can help to ferret that out. Neurologic symptoms can sometimes be present with Cushing's if there is a larger tumor in the pituitary gland but seizures can also be caused by other things as well so an MRI is typically required. CT can sometimes be used if a pituitary mass is strongly suspected. Itchy feet is typically caused by allergies which may also be associated with secondary infection. Next steps are to see your vet for an exam, bloodwork, and endocrine testing. Abdominal ultrasound and blood pressure measurement are also typical next steps. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Hello! I'm sorry to hear that Eleanor might not be feeling well. There are several things that I think of when I hear about dogs that are trembling or shaking. First, dogs that tremble and shake may be experiencing pain. Conditions like luxating patellas (kneecaps that pop out of place) and back injuries come to mind with smaller dogs like Bichons and Shih-tzus. You may not have seen the initial injury, but if they "tweak" an old or chronic injury, it can make them shake, pant, and want to be clingy, as they don't understand why they are hurting. Next, behavior changes in middle-aged dogs could be caused by metabolic disorders, like hypothyroidism or Cushing's disease. I would also expect to see other symptoms with these disorders, like weight changes and a poor hair coat, so if you see any other physical changes, this could account for Eleanor's shaking. Lastly, stress can also cause shaking and trembling behavior (like from storms or major construction going on in the neighborhood). I definitely recommend having Eleanor evaluated by a veterinarian for pain and/or other disorders before chalking her trembling up to a behavioral issue, as many conditions like pain and hypothyroidism can be managed with treatment, and she'll be much happier for it. Good luck, and I hope that Eleanor gets better soon!

That is usually a quite generic sign due either to discomfort or could be a sign preceding any episode like vomiting, diarrhoea, or even seizure episodes. Giving the generic nature of this sign I would monitor Scrappy for the moment, and eventually take him to your veterinarian if it does not resolve in the next 12hours. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Cushing’s syndrome (if that is indeed what she has), is rarely an emergency. Many dogs have had the disorder for months (or years) prior to diagnosis. However, diabetes can have very similar signs and that is more of a concern. If she has lost weight, or if she is not eating then I would recommend an emergency veterinarian to make sure she is not diabetic and starting to Decompensate. I also notice that she is not spayed. Pyometra is a uterine infection that usually starts with increased water intake, But they usually progress to not feeling well soon. Some of these dogs also have vaginal discharge and typically occurs 6 weeks or so after last heat cycle. If she is eating well and seem fine otherwise then waiting until Monday seems appropriate to me. If possible try to take a urine sample with you to your veterinarian appointment. Best of luck and I hope she does well. Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on the symptoms you are describing, it is difficult to say for sure what the cause could be. It sounds as though Sugar is not feeling well. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction and that Sugar gets better soon! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

No, this alone wouldn't indicate Cushing's, and would be odd for a puppy of this age. That said, exercise intolerance, fear/panic, stress, or underlying health issues can all cause what you are describing. I'd take Ann to your vet for a full workup just to rule out any serious health issues, and then from there see if you can find a behavioral trigger that may be causing stress or panic. Working on socialization and calming behaviors (focusing on a treat or toy, distracting with a game, moving to a quiet area to relax, etc) may help with stress triggers or panic triggers.

Buster may be in pain as shaking and panting is often a sign of pain. Excessive panting is also often a sign of Cushing's disease. I suggest you take Buster to a veterinarian for an exam. Dachshunds are prone to intervertebrate disk disease due to their long back and short legs, and that would be very painful. An x-ray can rule this out. Cushing's disease can be ruled out with a blood test. Please find a way to schedule an appointment with your vet for Buster.