My Dog Always Shakes His Head: What Could Be Causing This?

Any significant change in a dog's behavior indicates a larger problem. Repeated head shaking could point to a simple ear problem, or along with other symptoms could be the early signs of severe head trauma. A quick assessment of the ears, eyes and behavior by a trained veterinarian may save the dog's life, or at the very least alleviate him from worsening symptoms and unneeded discomfort.

  1. Ear Disease

    • Ear disease is one of the more common canine ailments, and recognizing the early symptoms prevents an afflicted dog from experiencing unnecessary pain and discomfort. A bad odor, redness of the ear canal and a brown discharge often are visible with yeast or bacterial infections, and associated with an increase in aggression or irritability. Failure to treat the infection will lead to inner ear problems, causing loss of hearing and balance. Ears may feel hot to the touch, and the dog will scratch and rub the ears as well as shake his head violently.

    Ear Mites and Foreign Objects

    • If upon a physical inspection, dark, crusty debris is visible in the ear canal, ear mites may be the issue. A bad infection may cause intense itching, leading to scratching, rubbing, head shaking and eventual bleeding, which in turn leaves the dog more susceptible to bacterial infections. Infections also may start due to burs, tiny sticks or even seeds that enter the ear canal, which will need to be removed by a veterinarian.

    Treatment and Prevention

    • A trip to the vet guarantees correct diagnosis and treatment. Depending on the actual problem, he may prescribe antibiotics or anti-parasite medication, though for more severe infections the dog may need to be sedated for a thorough ear cleaning. Though the infection will clear, the vet will recommend how to avoid reinfection. Some breeds, such as those with floppy ears for instance, are prone to ear disease and will need to have their ears cleaned with solution on a weekly basis. Occasionally, ear disease starts as an allergic reaction either to food, which will need to be avoided, or environmental allergens.

    Neurological Damage

    • Less often, head shaking indicates not a problem with the ears but instead is a sign of a severe neurological disorder. Some are hereditary and incurable while others, if diagnosed properly, can be treated. This is occasionally a side effect to medication, a sign of head trauma, or it could even point to ingestion of a toxic substance. The vet will require blood tests and for suspected head injury, an x-ray.