Retain the ear cleaning fluid with your other hand while softly yet firmly grasping your dogs ear flap. Head shaking is your dogs way of dulling the pain. Your dog can have a tick present in its body that is causing itching and irritation. A step-by-step guide to clean your dogs ears successfully is also mentioned. Continue the cleaning technique as often as your veterinarian suggests. These are all factors that will help you figure out whats wrong. Avoid spraying or dumping water directly on your dog's head during a bath. Ear infections tend to be itchy and produce a lot of discharge and inflammation, all of which make dogs want to shake their heads. Ear infections are very common in dogs and . One of the biggest reasons for uncontrollable head shaking is allergies. When dirt mixes alongside standard ear wax, it can seem like dark brown ear wax. Also, while drying, that warm floppy wet ear covering the ear opening may create enough moisture to cause bacteria overgrowth. Want to know more about TryFi.com? Common reasons include: Itchiness due to skin allergies. So if your pup is doing their normal shaking after a bath, its just because they are trying to get the excess water off. Ear cropping (or docking) is an entirely unnecessary surgical procedure in which a dog's ears are removed or altered. This is most likely dirt, grass seeds, water, a parasite, or an insect. So, when should you start to worry about your pets head shaking? Take your dog to the vet for clarification. There may also be bloody discharge. Keep holding the ear flap vertically in one hand while massaging the base underneath the ear opening with the other hand for about 30 seconds. The most frequently diagnosed health problem that causes excessive head shaking dogs is an ear infection. This can pave the way for more serious and complicated problems that can lead to permanent ear damage and/or loss of hearing. If an organism is identified, the lab will be able to identify the correct antibiotic to use. Rubbing their ears or face on furniture, the floor, etc. Frequently asked questions regarding your dog shaking head after ear cleaning are also answered. I don't recommend any home remedies to treat this condition, but keep a supply of medication from your vet on hand when these early symptoms arise. Youve successfully signed in. Myoclonus is a rhythmic jerking of a single muscle or muscle group and a common sign of canine distemper virus, involving mostly the muscles of the limbs or head. The need for early veterinary diagnosis and treatment for dogs with chronic head shaking cannot be overstated. Let your dog wag his tail and shake his head. Most people are familiar with Danes, Boxers and Doberman Pinschers as being cropped breeds. This can eventually lead to inflammation. Why is my dog constantly shaking their head? No. When a dog violently shakes his head to try and dislodge the foreign object, a blood vessel may burst and eventually cause swelling of the dogs ear flap, called an aural hematoma. Dogs most often shake their heads side to side to relieve ear discomfort, like itching, or to clear the ear canal of foreign substances, like dirt, water, or bugs. Additionally, certain breeds, including Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, and English Bulldogs, are vulnerable to severe ear wax and require increased ear cleanings to avoid illness. However, if your pup is persistently and vigorously shaking their head, it can be a cause for concern. Ear cropping also helped prevent ear injuries on hunting dogs who were likely to get caught on thorns or brambles. While cleaning your dogs ears, have a buddy hand out rewards. 7 Causes That Can Trigger Shaking, Dogs Leg Shaking: Causes and Treatments (Back & Front Legs). In these cases, antibiotics and medicated ear drops in combination are often prescribed. Weigh all the pros and cons, and then make your decision. This shaking can lead to more problems, for example an. Place yourself on the other side of him. Carry on with the opposite ear in the same manner. The condition occurs when trauma or an injury to the ear flap . Another possible cause is debris that gets stuck in earwax that causes irritation, inflammation and infection. Your dog most likely has an allergy or an ear infection and definitely needs medical attention. All rights reserved. Your pups ears will start itching as they heal, so youll need to keep him from scratching or rubbing them. Why is early diagnosis of a dog shaking head important? Regular ear cleanings can also help prevent many of the common causes behind your dogs head shaking, including allergies, mites, and ear infections. The fact is that ear infections are common in all sorts of breeds, whether they have cropped ears or not. Small dogs usually heal more quickly than large pooches, but healing time really varies, and could take up to two months. Identifying the reason behind head shaking in dogs should be done immediately so appropriate treatment can be given. Need to speak with a veterinarian regarding your dogs ear problem or another condition? Your dog is either trying to get the water out of the ear canal or your dog has an ear infection. The vet looked at his ears and did a swab and said they were squeaky clean, no infection. Fill your dogs ear canal with a cleaning fluid until you see the fluid gathering in the ear canal, then cover the ear flap out over the opening for best cleaning. Click here to schedule a video consult to speak to one of our vets. The dampness may be a result of an ear infection.Your dog or cat may also shake his head constantly more than usual. Dog head shaking can mean different things to different people. They will state that the ear cropping is no different philosophically or ethically than any elective surgery such as spaying and neutering or removing protruding dew claws. Were reader-supported. (Weve all been on the receiving end of an unpleasant wet dog shake!) Head shaking that lasts merely a few days or weeks should not be cause for concern. Contact us, your Washington DC vet clinic, today! To get rid of the foreign entity, the dog might shake his head or paw at his ear. To avoid the transfer of bacteria or yeast, clean the top of the bottle with a sterile cotton ball soaked in alcohol if it comes into contact with your dogs ear. If the growth occurs in the middle or inner ear, the dog may also experience loss of balance and coordination, circling, head tilting, facial paralysis, loss of hearing, darting of the eyes back and forth (nystagmus), and other neurologic symptoms. The cartilage within the pinna is too thin to support the weight of the ear, The ear crop was too long for the size of the ear, The ears are "set too low" on the dog's head. Other breeds frequently cropped are Bouviers des Flanders . If your dogs ears are clean but frequently shaking or scratching, you should see a veterinarian right once. Symptoms of allergies in dogs typically include some combination of itchy skin, hair loss, recurrent skin and ear infections, scratching at the ears, head shaking, chewing on the feet, and rubbing at the face. This actually isnt the case. Symptoms of cerebellar hypoplasia can range from mild to severe: The origin can be either infectious or genetic, but it is always congenital (present at birth) with symptoms becoming evident when puppies attempt to walk, around six weeks old. Second of all, it could indicate one of the more serious underlying issues mentioned above. In fact, some countries have gone as far as to ban the practice. Allergic Reaction. Dogs shake their head if theres something in their ear, and they scratch to relieve itchiness. When the cause of your dog's head shaking is identified early, your veterinarian can treat the problem before it worsens. But its always helpful to ask your veterinarian which dog ear cleaners they recommend. Your dog shakes its head to relieve this irritation. Avoid spraying or dumping water directly on your dogs head during a bath. Idiopathic head tremors are a series of horizontal no, vertical yes, or rotational bobble head gestures. Lack of coordination and balance, circling, head tilting, facial paralysis, deafness, flashing of the eyes back and forth (nystagmus), or other neurologic symptoms usually develop if the growth originates in the middle or inner ear. Crazy, right?! You may notice your dog scratching around their ears or shaking their head frequently in an effort to get some relief. Smelly ears. This can cause damage to the ear canal and eardrum, as well as push material deeper into the ear canal. If your dog is showing any of the signs listed above. Bacterial or yeast infection. For example, Boxers were often used as guard dogs. As a "new" veterinarian I watched with interest all aspects of the ear cropping protocol -- from the initial physical exam, interview with the owner regarding what they expected the ears to look like, the anesthetic administration, surgery, post operative bandaging and patient recovery. If you think there might be a more serious underlying cause for your dogs continued head shakes, take them to the vet, especially if their ears also look red and inflamed. Head shaking can mean various things, such as ear infections, allergies, parasite infections, or other medical conditions. Some of these symptoms include the following: Allergies cause a lot of itchiness. Its a natural behavior of dogs to shake their head following a nice swim, for a good stretch, for an ear scratch, or after a comfortable nap. Without such advice from a veterinarian, ear infections must not be treated at home. Proper veterinary care doesnt only reduce the pain and irritation but may also prevent more serious medical concerns. If your dog has persistent issues with water in the ears after bathing or swimming, place cotton balls in your pets ear before bathing or swimming. But some of you are noticing a different problem with your pup. If your dogs ears are red, its most likely an infection, but it could also be inflamed if theyre scratching at them and injuring the tissue. Treating with the correct antibiotics is important to avoid antibiotic resistance, which can be common in bacterial ear disease. Ear cropping does require a lot of aftercare. Hell back away from you if theyre painful from an injury or infection, and he wont let you touch him. And they may be able to give you some extra to keep on hand for future flare ups. They enjoy running on the grass and exploring all the corners of the house. After that, its all downhill! Psychology Todaysays that "a dog can shake nearly 70 percent of the water from its fur in about 4 seconds." Although dogs can only move their backbone 30 one way or the other, shaking works so well because of their loose skin. or do they know someone near you who could help? The first question is Did your groomer clean your dogs ears, trim or pluck their ear hair, or notice any infections in their ears? Insert cotton balls in your dogs ear before washing or swimming if they have persistent water inside the ears after bathing or swimming. Some dog behaviors are normal as long as they are infrequent, but become a problem when you begin to see them with some regularity. Most of the disorders described above might cause your dog pain and distress. Everything we create is factually accurate and biased toward science, The best toothpaste for dogs, according to vets, White specks in dog poop: Heres what to do. While this can solve the problem if the dog has some water, a piece of grass, or an insect in his ear, continued head shaking indicates that the irritation is ongoing and needs to be addressed. Early veterinary intervention and treatment of persistent head shaking in dogs are very important. This is definitely a very important topic for dog, Does your kitty get a bit of a cattitude if you are late with her. Ear cleaners can help treat many root causes of head shaking Simple at-home ear cleaners are great for helping with allergies, ear wax buildup, and more. Your dog may start scratching more than usual. Pull the ear flap up gently, and use a cotton ball or gauze to extract the dislodged debris and cleaning fluid from the outer aperture of the ear canal. First of all, because the actual shaking could cause damage to their delicate ear flaps. Its a natural dog trait that you shouldnt be concerned about. Learn how to recognize and treat pulled muscles in dogs. Occasionally shaking heads is common for dogs. Type above and press Enter to search. All types of ear infections require veterinary attention and intervention. The forces generated by a vigorous shake are impressive, as anyone who has been whacked by a dogs flailing ear can tell you. While shaking can solve the problem if its just some water or an insect in the ear, continued shaking indicates that there is still something inside the dogs ear that needs to be addressed, sooner rather than later. An elimination diet involves putting a dog on a diet regimen that contains a single carbohydrate source and a single protein source that has never been fed to the dog. The aspect of animal cruelty comes into play in that many people will argue that there is no medical, physical, environmental or cosmetic advantage for the dog to have the pinnas (the ear flaps) surgically altered. I wish I had a better solution for you. I refer to the disappointing cases where the pup's ears have been cropped and yet, no matter what everyone tries to do, the ears won't stand erect! Are they shaking their ears over and over? Clinical signs associated with it include head shaking, swollen and red ears, ear scratching, an odor, and discharges. This is not a common cause of head shaking in dogs, though. Check your dogs ears and look for signs of ticks and mites. Most outer ear canal infections are caused by overgrowth of bacteria and yeast. Minimize the presence of allergens that can cause an allergic reaction. For environmental allergies, diagnosis is based on blood testing or intradermal skin testing. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian immediately. The article answers if its a natural practice for dogs to shake heads often and any possible causes. Their bites can cause irritation which leads to excessive head-scratching, ear-scratching, and head shaking. So when should you start to worry about your pets behavior? If not eliminated, this substance can cause itching and ear infections. Cotton swabs tend to push wax and debris deeper into the ear canal, making it impossible to remove them. Your dogs ears do not need to be cleaned as long as they are healthy. Consult your veterinarian if your dogs ear appears to be red and inflamed, smells yeasty, or he seems to be in discomfort. I am kind of a person whom you call pet person. Grain-free dog food: a lasting trend or a danger to your dog? The presence of a foreign object inside a dogs ear can cause swelling and inflammation. Its part of their instincts to do so. He does occasionally . Its always important to make an informed decision! An ear infection caused by bacteria or yeast is the most common health issue that causes excessive head shaking in dogs. Dear Shaking: Grooming, per se, doesn't cause his ear infections, but if he is prone to them there are several things that might be happening at the salon to irritate a pre-existing condition or susceptibility. If the ears get wet after re-taping, remove the tape immediately and either take the dog to the vet for re-taping or, if you are sure you know how to do it correctly, re-tape the ears yourself (see taping instructions below). While its vital to clean your dogs ears as needed, excessive washing can create ear canal inflammation, which can cause infections. Alternatively, scrub his cheeks and ears with a damp washcloth and wash him from the neck down. Final Words Ear cropping is entirely up to the dog owner's discretion. Playing roughly or tripping can cause head injuries. Some of the common predisposing factors that can make a dogs ear canal susceptible to infection include foreign bodies (grass awn or foxtail) that get into the dogs ears, ear mites, excessive moisture in the ears from bathing or swimming, food allergies, environmental allergies, endocrine issues (hypothyroidism), ear polyps, trauma to the ear, certain types of cancer, or autoimmune conditions (lupus, pemphigus, or vasculitis). Learn more about four common medical reasons your dog might be shaking their head frequently. These days, ear cropping is done for cosmetic reasons. If your dog is shaking its head side to side deliberately, this is a completely natural behavior, usually practiced in order to relieve some type of discomfort. Pause a few minutes, or even hours, if your dog appears stressed or upset before attempting again. Dog Shaking After Surgery: What Does It Mean? There are certain steps you can take to stop this behavior in your dog: Go to a veterinarian in case the situation worsens or if your dog starts showing other symptoms. Common causes include allergies, ear mites, trapped water and floppy ears. You are not alone in this because many purebred dog owners have been disappointed that their dog's ears would not stand. While a small amount of earwax can be normal, you should contact your veterinarian if there is a foul smell, if your dog is shaking its head or scratching excessively, or if one or both ears seem red. Whereas a tiny quantity of earwax is typical, if there is a bad odour, your dog is shaking or scratching frequently, or one or both ears are red, you should consult your veterinarian. Select an ear cleanser with components that will assist in acidifying and drying out your ear canal. You may notice your dog shaking its head after a satisfying ear scratch, a long nap, a nice stretch, a fun swim, or a not so fun bath. If your dog suffers from allergic skin disease, talk to your vet, or make an appointment with one of our FirstVet vets, to see if theres anything else that you can do to help your dog at home. If allergies cause, your dog will have ear infections regularly, and you may detect small reddish-brown patches on the inside of his ears. Vocalizing or whining when the ears are scratched or rubbed. Identify the probable cause of discomfort in your dog to provide proper treatment. Dogs love being goofy at times. Cleaning a healthy ear can harm its ability to self-clean. Pull the ear flap up gently, and use a cotton ball or gauze to extract the dislodged debris and cleaning fluid from the outer aperture of the ear canal. The best vitamins and supplements for senior dogs, 8 experts share their best dog training tips, Here's how to give special dogs a special home, The best pet insurance companies reviewed, 10 ways to encourage your cat to drink water, The cost of a cat, from adoption to emergencies. Fill the ear canal with enough cleanser. Do not insert the bottles tip into your ear. This can be due to parasites, such as ear mites, or other irritation. It is critical to determine the cause of head shaking in dogs as soon as possible so that proper therapy can be administered. Many of the most common reasons for head shaking are easily treated by your veterinarian once diagnosed, however, if left untreated ear conditions can quickly become more serious.