Guide to tremor and twitch syndromes in dogs and cats

Abstract

Background: Tremors are relatively common in dogs and cats, with them representing a spectrum of disease from the benign through to life-threatening. Tremors associated with voluntary muscle contraction are divided into postural or kinetic. Twitches, or peripheral nerve hyperexcitability (PNH), are distinct to tremors, distinguished by their irregular rhythm, and have a range of outcomes. Twitches may manifest as fasciculations, myokymia, neuromyotonia, cramps, tetany or tetanus. Aim of the article: This article describes the common causes for twitches and tremors, and provides tips on how to differentiate them from one another, as well as how best to go about diagnosing and treating these conditions.