German Shepherd with heavy panting and trembling, even when resting

[cindy627]

Rusty is my 7 year old German Shepard. Yesterday, we took him and my other German Shepherd, Ginger, to the lake for memorial day. We spent the day walking around by the lake and near a campsite. Around when the sun was going down, I noticed he was trembling/shivering, Ginger (5 years old) was not shivering at all. I still had a t-shirt on so I thought it was strange that he might be shivering when it was still warm out so I put him in the van with the windows open and a bowl of water. Despite his shivering he appeared alert and in good spirits. We later brought Rusty and Ginger out of the van so they could be in the company of people and I noticed that even though Rusty was just lying on the ground by my feet, he was panting pretty heavily and trembling again. Ginger did not have the same problems. Water was always available and tho Rusty would lap at the water, he would still shiver/tremble. He didn't seem tired. When people stood up, he would stand up too and walk over to them. When we got up to leave, he was very eager to sniff around and pee on things, very normal behaviors for him. The only difference was the heavy panting, even at rest, and the trembling.

Has anyone ever had any experience with this? Does anyone know what this might be? Any info would be really helpful. Thanks.

--Cindy

[palehorse]

Originally Posted by cindy627

Rusty is my 7 year old German Shepard. Yesterday, we took him and my other German Shepherd, Ginger, to the lake for memorial day. We spent the day walking around by the lake and near a campsite. Around when the sun was going down, I noticed he was trembling/shivering, Ginger (5 years old) was not shivering at all. I still had a t-shirt on so I thought it was strange that he might be shivering when it was still warm out so I put him in the van with the windows open and a bowl of water. Despite his shivering he appeared alert and in good spirits. We later brought Rusty and Ginger out of the van so they could be in the company of people and I noticed that even though Rusty was just lying on the ground by my feet, he was panting pretty heavily and trembling again. Ginger did not have the same problems. Water was always available and tho Rusty would lap at the water, he would still shiver/tremble. He didn't seem tired. When people stood up, he would stand up too and walk over to them. When we got up to leave, he was very eager to sniff around and pee on things, very normal behaviors for him. The only difference was the heavy panting, even at rest, and the trembling.

Has anyone ever had any experience with this? Does anyone know what this might be? Any info would be really helpful. Thanks.

--Cindy

Sounds like it either got snake or spider bit. If it were the fatal variety it would be dead by now, so it is likely (if that's what caused it) that your dog will be OK.

If you have not taken it to the Veterinarian yet, and it still has symptoms, do it now. There may be an anti-venom that can help it.

Good Luck

[Tucker'sMom]

And please keep us posted, I am interested in this as I often take my dog to the lake.