Friday, May 8, 2009

Dogs Jaw Clenching: Why and is it normal?

I care for two dogs, one boxer/pit and the other a full blooded pit. Well I've noticed that sometimes they both do this jaw clenching thing (up and down like eating). Their jaw looks like they are shaking, like a wimpering child's. The boxer/pit does this more often then the other. The boxer/pit is just shy of 1 year while the full pit is about 3 yrs.
It's a random thing not at any set time or emotion.
I am wondering why this is.
Answers:
It looks like they're chewing gum, right?
This is symptomatic of a side effect of Distemper.
Some dogs recover just fine, sometimes the disease goes dormant for years and comes back.
This complication destroys nerves and is ultimately fatal to dogs.
A vet will know instantly if this is the problem.
Other signs are rock hard paw pads. They gradually get harder and harder until they're like rocks.
Could also be:
A habit
A brain tumor
An infection
A birth defect
But, I think it's better to be safe than sorry.
Its was probably a habit that maybe the older dog had and the puppy picked it up and is doing the same thing. Talk to a vet if you are uncomfortable about it, but I would say its just one of those weird dog things.
could be stress related, or a bad habit
My cousin's dog old used to do that a lot... But he lived a healthy life and he was nice. So I don't think it's bad, just a weird habit.
Sounds like he is stressed..
Are they doing anything else when this happens? Like legs stretching out or shaking? It could be mild seizures. Something I would check into. If they are seizures they can get progressively worse.

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