Most instances of trembling in pets are the result of temporary excitement, fear, or cold. Therefore, in most cases, trembling is not a serious concern. However, some instances of trembling may be caused by serious medical problems.
More common causes are listed first. Less common causes are listed later.
Cats and humans
Toxoplasma is a microscopic parasite that is capable of infesting most mammals. It causes no symptoms in the vast majority of infested hosts, including humans. However, Toxoplasma can cause fetal malformation or miscarriage in pregnant women, and it can cause serious illness in human beings with AIDS.
Tetracycline is an antibiotic that is prescribed to treat a variety of bacterial infections.
Tetracycline is administered orally. It is available as a pill or a liquid suspension. Compounding pharmacies may be able to produce palatable formulations of tetracycline to ease administration to pets.
Dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens.
Tapeworms are parasites of dogs and cats. They live in the intestines and, although they rarely cause clinical symptoms or disease in pets, they rob their hosts of nutrients. Tapeworms are aesthetically unpleasant.
The most common type of tapeworm is spread by fleas. Pets contract this species of tapeworm when they swallow fleas in the process of grooming. Other tapeworms are spread through improperly prepared food.
More common causes are listed first. Less common causes are listed later.
Cats
Stomatitis is a markedly painful syndrome in which the gums and mouth become severely inflamed. The cat’s immune system plays a role in most cases of stomatitis. In these cases, the cat’s immune system begins to reject teeth in the mouth. In other cases, viruses such as FIV or FeLV trigger the syndrome.
Cats, dogs, puppies, and kittens.
Roundworms (often simply called worms) are extremely common in pets. In dogs and cats, worms may cause no symptoms whatsoever, or they may cause diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. Many safe and effective treatments and preventatives are available to keep pets free of worms.
Cats
Eosinophilic granulomas are ulcers or sores that develop on the lips and in the mouth of cats. They occur when the cat’s immune system misdirects its activities and attacks the cat’s mouth.
The syndrome is painful. Severe eosinophilic granulomas can become infected or can be disfiguring.
With treatment, most eosinophilic granulomas can be managed. However, cats often develop many ulcers over their lives, and the syndrome can be a chronic problem.
Cats
Psychogenic alopecia is a syndrome in which cats excessively groom their hair and skin. This results in hair loss and baldness that usually starts on the abdomen and progress up the rear of the body.
A synonym for psychogenic alopecia is psychological baldness. As this name implies, the syndrome is believed to have a psychological or behavioral basis.
Primarily dogs; occasionally cats