Dog Health - Why Does My Dog Shake His Head?
72
Unhealthy Ear
Healthy ear
- Free Dog and Cat Food
Coupons, too
|
R-7 Ear Powder 12 GM
Price: $2.93
List Price: $5.99 |
|
R-7 Ear Powder - 24 g
Price: $4.80
List Price: $7.89 |
|
PPP Groomer's Ear Powder 28 g
Price: $4.95
|
|
Eight In One Products J7101 Excel Ear Cleansing Pads 90 count for Dogs and Cats
Price: $5.51
List Price: $9.90 |
|
Ilium Ear Drops ear mites & bacterial infections
Current Bid: $16.95
|
|
Ear-Rite Miticide for Cat & Kittens Ear Mites & Ticks
Current Bid: $5.49
|
|
Ilium Ear Drops ear mites & bacterial infections
Current Bid: $16.95
|
|
Mita clear ear mites treatment solution by pfizer
Current Bid: $10.99
|
What Is Wrong With My Dog's Ears?
Head Shaking
Head shaking usually indicates something going on with the ears. Ear problems can range from hair growing down inside the ear to mites and ear infections. If you didn't find a foreign object you better check your dog food.
Make your pet comfortable
- Place your hands over his ears
- Lift the ear flap
- Observe the ear
- Observe the area around the underside of the ear
Signs of Ear Infection
- Heat
- Infection
- Irritation
- Odor
- Drainage
- Wet
- Sticky hair around the ear
Do the ears feel warm or hot to the touch? Sometimes the heat is present in only one ear but could be in both ears.
You should also observe the ear for any signs of drainage such as wet, sticky hair around the ear opening. Shih Tzus, Schnauzers, and poodles are prone to hair growth down in the ear opening. Be sure and keep the ear hair pulled. Do not simply cut the hair.
Ear Hair
Groomers are able to remove the ear hair and should remove the ear hair each time your pet is in for a full service groom. Check with your groomer to see if he/she has noticed anything unusual about your pet's ears.
Ear Mites
You might also take a close look inside the ears for little (very little) bugs. These are called ear mites. There are over-the-counter medicines available for you to threat the pet at home.
Ticks
Look for any foreign bodies inside the ear. The foreign body might be a leaf, grass seed, or tick. If something is in the ear that shouldn't be remove it entirely with a pair of tweezers. If you feel the treatment of the ear is something you aren't comfortable with please be sure and seek the advise or treatment of your pet's veterinarian.
Dog Food
Dog food makers are saving money and providing food for your dog by putting in fillers such as corn, soy and wheat gluten. Most dogs are alergic to these fillers and the grains are harmful to your pet. Read your dog food label!
Ask Susan Peters Other Sites of Interest:
- Ask Susan Peters (click here)
This site will link you to all of the articles written by Susan Peters.
- Pet Care Information (click here)
Great articles on pet safety, grooming advice, nail care, and just about anything you might need to know.
PrintShare it! — Rate it: up down flag this hub
Shannon,
Glad I could be of help!
Good luck,
Susan
Susan
A dog's ears are so sensitive that a little irritation can cause the pet a lot discomfort.
And the thing with dog ear infection is, there can be a multiple of possible causes. I like the fact that you mentioned Dog Food as one of the causes. Yes, food allergy can happen, and it's not uncommon.
Very often, pet guardians look for ear mites, ticks, fleas, foreign body etc in the dog's ear, but may not be aware of infections associated with allergies.
So thanks for bringing this fact to our attention .. it's a good reminder.
My dog shakes his head vigorously (no paw rubbing)
My 9 yrs old Harrier shakes his head whenever he gets into attention, and thus sprays hair all over the house. He does it several times an hour during the day if waken from his sleep. Nothing wrong with the ears, so say the vets. JUST A HABBIT! I am interested in an anti barking collar converted to an acceleration sensing device to give my dog either an electrical shock or citronella squirts, whenever he shakes vigorously for no apparent reason. If you are a vet, have you any idea about it?
My email: PaEden@gmail.com
My vet told me that when a dog shakes his head often and no ear problems are found that it could be ringing in the ears or some other neurological problem. He knows of a dog that had pressure from a brain tumor and that is why he shook his head so much. It may be helpful to see a dog neurologist.
Update to my (and Eyler's) above posts:
My 9 yrs old harrier mix (hound dog at 45 lbs, a bit larger than a beagle and with smaller ears) continues to shake his head, but does not rub them!. He always does it for a reason.
Some of the reasons are (all seems social):
1) Standing up from his day bad to go outdoor for a walk2) In the morning when I get him out from his crate3) Greeting a familiar guest at the door4) While staring at my face for any reason, usually it is for wanting something. Also, accompanied with quick tail wagging.
The vet (who checks his ears routinely) says that it is a habit. In my opinion, if it is due to tinnitus (ringing in the ears as Eyler mentioned), or thebalancing control organ in the ears, then we can't help much (besidesan expensive operation as you mentioned, I wished that I could cure my own tinnitus).
Mu problem with the head shaking is that while shaking his head he sprays hair throughout the house. Recently, I have purchased a new up- right vacuum cleaner by Eurika made especially for pets (Pet- Lover Power Paw) and use itseveral times a day on the house floor. I still think that I couldstop it with an anti -barking collar equipped with a vibration sensor(accelerometer). The collar would either give a short electric pulse or squirt citronella. I do brash him daily with a metal and plastic brushes and use a sticky tape roll to pick up the shedded hair.
********************************************************************
Every dog I've ever had has shaken his or her head when geting up in the morning, or waking from a nap. Every dog from lab to schnauzer to miniature greyhound / chi mix. They ALL do it. And there is nothing wrong with the ears, I've had it all checked out. I must be like stretching or something. It happens without fail day in and day out, year in and year out, and there's nothing wrong with them.
I've had two boxers over the years that had a heart problem and first thing notice would be their heads shaking and I would have to cap the head between my hands and hold it still for a few minutes for it to stop while wiping down their face with a cool wet towel. I have only seen this in boxers!
Shannon Mueller says:
2 years ago
Thanks susan...that was a very helpful article. My poor dog's ear is very hot. I was afraid he had an ear infection. Thanks to you, now I know for sure. Thanks!!