Why is my dogs head shaking like a bobble head?

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. However, if your dog’s deliberate head shaking becomes incessant, something is wrong.

How do you stop a dog from head bobbing?

Currently, there is no treatment for idiopathic head tremors. Head tremors often are confused with epileptic seizures; in these cases the patient is prescribed phenobarbital.

What causes idiopathic head tremors in dogs?

The cause is idiopathic, or unknown. One commonly accepted theory is dyskinesia that originates in the basal ganglia of the brain, which is responsible for motor control. Other possible causes are low glucose and/or calcium levels in the blood, often experienced by lactating dogs.

How long do head tremors last in dogs?

In a majority of dogs, each tremor episode lasts less than 5 minutes, although up to 15% will have episodes lasting up to an hour. There are a few reports of dogs with continuous head tremors lasting more than 12 hours.

Why does my dog keep moving her head up and down?

Low Glucose Levels. In some cases, head bobbing may be associated with low glucose levels in the blood. This may occur in lactating dogs, who may have lowered glucose/calcium levels. Head bobbing may also be due to hormonal fluctuations, which can result in more visible head bobbing during estrus.

What does a dog tremor look like?

Tremors are rhythmic, repetitive, and involuntary muscle movements, that look like ‘shaking’. Tremors may be localized to one area of the body (for example, the head) or may involve the entire body. These tremors may vary in severity, from very mild to incapacitating (preventing eating, walking, etc.).

What are signs of a dog having a stroke?

Common signs that your dog might be having a stroke include:

  • Loss of balance.
  • Head tilt.
  • Pacing, circling, or turning the wrong way when called.
  • Abnormal eye movements or facial expressions.
  • Impaired vision.
  • Loss of control over bladder and bowels.
  • Vomiting.
  • Collapse, loss of consciousness.