Teeth chattering

[Cat]

Sorry I wasn't sure where to put this...

Hamish has been chattering his teeth lately. It is weird.   Does anyone know why this is? The only thing I can think is if it a side effect of the prednisone or because he is always hungry?

[Jo CIMDA]

Hi Cat

I wonder if he is chattering his teeth because he has an acidic tummy.  Did your vet give you something to protect his stomach?  It is very important when a dog is on high doses of  prednisolone and for a long period, to protect the stomach from the excess acid that's produced by the drugs. Stomach ulcers can develop if the stomach is not protected.  YOur vet should give you somehting like antepsin or omeprazole if not you can buy Ranitidine (Zantac) from the supermarket dose:  2mg/kg/3times a day (Canine Medicine and Therapeutics by Neil Gorman.

Also when they are on high doses of preds they do not feel right and it might be the stress that is causing chattering of teeth.

Jo

[Cat]

Yeah he's on one drug to reduce acid and another to protect his stomach.

He is looking ok when he does it.  It's bizarre.

[moss]

One of mine chattered his teeth when he was on high doses of steroids.  It only happened around times of excitement ie feeding or greeting people.
He doesn't do it anymore
Regards
Jacqui

[Cat]

Thanks. That does sound like it. 

[Penel CIMDA moderator]

Is he an entire male? lots of entire males do this if they can smell a bitch in season - or even a bitch with a urine infection.

[Cat]

No, he's neutered.  He has only started doing it since he has been sick. 

He's drooling constantly too but I think that is from the pred making him hungry.

[samsmum]

my bitch chatters her teeth at times of high excitement - especially when food is around as she is a total foodie. She also chatters at me if she hasn't seen me for a while and I return to the room. She isn't on any meds at all but my male is on pred. and doesn';t chatter.

[Jo CIMDA]

My girl does the same!

Jo