Treatment of White Shaker Syndrome in Dogs
Treatment is primarily through medication. Many dogs can have their tremors completely disappear with the administration of a combination of immunosuppressive corticosteroids, which can suppress inflammation, and benzodiazepines, a class of drugs that helps anxiety by reducing nerve activity. These are generally started at high doses that are tapered to a lower dose or discontinued over time.
Tremors have been known to cease within a few days to two weeks of treatment, but the drugs are given for several months to prevent them from recurring. If treatment is discontinued and the tremors return, your dog may need continued therapy. While for many animals, this treatment is quite effective, some dogs may need a continued low dose drug regiment throughout their lives.
Treatment is most often given at home, but severe cases may require hospitalization. Additional medications, such as barbiturates or anticonvulsants, may be given to help eliminate the tremors.
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Symptoms of White Shaker Syndrome in Dogs
Causes of White Shaker Syndrome in Dogs
The true cause of white shaker syndrome is unknown, but there are some ideas as to why it can occur. It has been theorized to be caused by:
White shaker syndrome seems to affects certain breeds more frequently, so there may be a genetic component to this condition. Breeds commonly affected have included: