Dog twitching constantly, not hiccups. Why can't he get comfortable?

No need to worry! Hiccups are common in puppies. The twitching and making noises is normal too. Puppies and dogs dream, so these movements and sounds can be in response to dreams they are having. I have a dog who barks in her sleep sometimes, and her legs move. I like to think she is chasing something :-)

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Hiccups are spasms of the diaphragm and can occur from excitement, eating or drinking too fast (swallows air), stress or fatigue. If Axie is eating and drinking and NOT retching or vomiting I would think he should be fine. Also be sure he can rest comfortably and his belly isn't swollen. If he won't eat or is vomiting or retching you should contact the owners and take him to a Vet. If all else is fine maybe check in on him an lunch. Good luck!

Hello. Hiccups are the result of a spasm in the diaphragm. It can occur from various maladies including heartworm disease, stimulation of the phrenic nerve & cancer ( very unlikely in such a young dog ). This may also be a case of Synchronous Diaphragmatic Flutter, also known as Thumps. I would talk with your veterinarian to see if an EKG & blood work is needed. Otherwise, some of these dogs will respond to a tapering dose of Prednisone, &/or an oral calcium tablet. Sometimes, it just eventually goes away by itself. Just to make sure, have your vet take a look at things. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I am sorry that Daxon is having hiccups, but rest assured they are very normal for puppies. Their gastrointestinal tracts are immature and still developing. Hiccups are sudden, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm muscle. As the muscle contracts repeatedly, the opening between the vocal cords snaps shut to check the inflow of air and makes the hiccup sound. Because these areas are still developing in puppies, they are prone to more frequent hiccups then older dogs. My philosophy is often that less is more. Meaning that, the hiccups are natural, and therefore we shouldn't interfere with unnecessary medications. If the hiccups are slightly frustrating for you to hear, perhaps you could try distracting or redirecting Daxon when they occur. This might "trick his system" into halting the hiccups. Here are a few of my favorite interactive toys; http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+3+40+25413&pcatid=25413 http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+3+40+26279&pcatid=26279

Poor pup. Muscle twitches in a pet so young can be caused by a toxin ingestion, a metabolic imbalance (i.e. Low calcium), an underlining neurological disorder, or it can just be a sign of pain somewhere in the body. If the muscle twitches are happening for more than a few hours then it is best to take Chevy to you nearest veterinarian for a complete neurological examination so that he receives the appropriate treatment. At the very least they can give him muscle relaxers to help with his symptoms and then any pain medication he may need. I hope your puppy gets well soon. Best wishes and good luck at the vet.

Hello, I'm sorry to hear about this event with Cooper. A couple of thoughts come to mind about what this may be, but it's going to be difficult to give you a very specific answer on something like this. My first thought is an acid reflux event causing hiccups or hiccuping like motions, and this self resolved for now. Acid reflux can also be associated with lip smacking, obsessive licking, teeth grinding, or vomiting. I believe a seizure is another possibility. Seizures can range from quite dramatic to very mild in regards to muscle spasming and consciousness. Sometimes seizures occur only once in life. Seizures can occur secondary to internal disease, such as kidney or liver dysfunction, or due to brain disease, such as epilepsy or a brain tumor. A soft tissue injury or muscle spasming due to playing hard earlier in the day may cause this type of behavior. Almost any type of pain could present in a similar manner. I would recommend keeping a close eye on Cooper for the next several days. It wouldn't be a bad idea to have him get a physical exam and baseline bloodwork to ensure he doesn't have any major problems. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck to you and Cooper.

Hiccups are normal in puppies, and they can have them on and off throughout the day. Typically, they occur after a meal, but they can occur at any time. Eventually, Bolt will grow out of them, so it's not something to worry about :-)