Dr. Brown

Dr.Tail Vet

Lilman’s symptoms suggest a few possible causes, including neurological issues, muscle spasms, or even mild seizures. The sudden onset, body jerking, and flickering eyes, followed by complete recovery, point toward episodic neurological events rather than something like joint pain or a chronic musculoskeletal condition. Please understand that his exact cause can only be determined by inspection.

One possible explanation is focal seizures, which affect a specific part of the brain rather than causing full-body convulsions. These seizures can cause involuntary movements, twitching, and odd behaviors but don’t always result in collapse or loss of consciousness.

Another possibility is a condition affecting nerve function, such as a mild spinal issue or inflammation near the lower back.

Muscle cramping or spasms can also cause these signs, especially if Lilman has been very active beforehand. Electrolyte imbalances or dehydration could make it worse, leading to painful stiffness and twitching. If he is a very active dog, sudden resting after exercise might trigger these episodes.

To help him, make sure he stays hydrated and gets a good balance of electrolytes in his diet. If this happens after activity, try massaging his muscles gently to see if it relieves any tension. Keep track of when these episodes occur—after exercise, during rest, or at certain times of the day—so you can look for patterns.

If you notice any worsening symptoms, such as complete loss of coordination, unresponsiveness, or prolonged episodes lasting more than a few minutes at a time, it’s more urgent. Also, if he starts having these episodes more frequently, that would be a reason to take him in for an evaluation.

If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to come back to us! Thank you.