A suspected case of idiopathic generalised tremor (shaker disease) in a shih tzu
Vanvooren, N.
Veterinary Record 136(22): 568
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 7676584 Document Number: 444287
A 1-year-old, black and white entire male Shih Tzu was presented with a severe tremor of sudden onset and of one week's duration. Inspection revealed a severe generalised tremor affecting all limbs and the body and, to a lesser extent, the head. Handling aggravated the condition. Cranial nerve function and proprioception appeared to be normal. Haematological and biochemical tests were normal except for a marginal increase in albumin, a substantial increase in aspartate transferase and creatine phosphokinase and an eosinophilia. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid revealed no abnormalities. Oral prednisolone (0.46 mg/kg twice a day) produced some alleviation of signs; an increased dose (0.93 mg/kg twice a day) resulted in remission of all signs after 2 weeks and the dose was gradually reduced. The cause of the syndrome which has been seen most frequently in small white dogs remains unknown.