Why is my 4-month-old puppy suddenly twitching and wobbly in sleep?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. If he is still acting this way, he will need to see his veterinarian. Was there any chance that he could have ingested a toxin? That was my first consideration when reading your post. If not, then he could have a primary neurologic disease. His veterinarian will be able to guide you based on his exam findings. Good luck!

This all sounds like normal sleep behavior, and I would not be concerned. If Chutki is drooling when she is awake, then you might want to have a veterinarian look in her mouth and see if she has a problem with her teeth. Mouth pain can often cause drooling. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Puppies do tend to sleep very deeply and they do dream more than adult dogs. I recommend to record one of these episodes. Start filing before you begin to stimulate her and then record the entire session until she is fully awake. Show it to her veterinarian. This will help to give a better idea of pathology or not. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

It is normal for dogs to go someone limp and have rapid eye movement while in deep sleep, just like with people. In some cases, you may see your dog whimper or even twitch their limbs if they are dreaming or deep in REM. If your pup seems in distress, or this happens often or when she isn't asleep, a vet checkup is always a good idea.

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 :-)

If he is otherwise normal I'm not concerned. He may be stressed from moving to a new home or dreaming. If it was a seizure you would notice him going from normal to having muscle spasms, then getting back to normal in a few minutes. It's a good idea to video the behavior and write down when it occurs so you have a history to discuss with your veterinarian should it get worse. I like to write down the episodes on a calendar so I can go back and check the frequency. Willis may stop this as he becomes settled in your house and as he gets older. If he appears agitated, weak or ill please take him right in for an exam. You may want to double check with his breeder to see if any other pups or the parents are doing this. Cavaliers do get heart disease, but usually when they are old, and purebred dogs can get epilepsy but seizures often don't start until they are six months to a year old. Again I would just watch him to make sure there are no other symptoms. Enjoy your new puppy! I love Cavaliers, it's a fun, gentle and loving breed. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Willis.

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.