Clenching His Teeth

what condition is my dog suffering from? He chatters his teeth and grinds his jaws frequently.?

Beau is a rescued dog @ 1.5 yrs. he is a cute boxer/lab who was treated for kennel cough (concluding this week) I want to compare my sources of info. his symptoms are a very frequent, slightly irregular clenching of his teeth and flexing of head and neck muscles. Thanks for your help.

Ok, well this could be VERY broad, but let me just give you the ideas that come to my mind. It is ALWAYS best to check with your vet though.

First of all, if the dog is TOTALLY fine otherwise, it could just be excitement.
Dogs of all sizes and breeds will often chatter their teeth when they are very excited. This could be in anticipation of a happy event. A dog that enjoys riding in the car may chatter her teeth just before getting inside of the car. A male dog may chatter his teeth when scenting a female in heat. Dogs have also been known to chatter their teeth when in pain as perhaps a sign of fear, or stress, which is another form of excitement.

It could also be a seizure disorder. Sometimes you will notice sudden, inexplicable, short bouts of teeth chattering that could be a sign of focal motor seizures, also called partial seizures. The dog stays conscious and only has one part of the body go into spasms, such as the lower jaw.

Size can also play a part in some cases. Small, thin-skinned dogs like smooth-haired Chihuahuas, Jack Russells and Italian greyhounds will shiver and chatter their teeth when they are nervous. It is not known exactly why these small breeds shake and chatter their teeth when nervous or excited. Unless the dog’s coordination or vision is affected, the dog does not need to go to the vet.

Different breeds can have specific issues. A neurological disorder called multisytem neuronal degeneration has been discovered in young Cocker Spaniels, it can happen to other breeds too. White dog breeds such as West Highland white terriers, the Maltese and the Bichon Frise are subject to white dog shaker syndrome. Both of these disorders need veterinary care and possibly anticonvulsant medications.

Even if the dog is chattering its teeth out of habit, exposure to cold or does not seem to be in pain, regularly check the teeth for breaks, cracks, gum disease and cavities. Teeth chattering can put excessive wear and tear on the dog’s teeth that could damage them.

Hope that helps!!

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