My English Bulldog Shakes His Head, Why?

Expert’s answer:

English bulldogs may shake their heads for various reasons. It could be a normal behavior or a sign of an underlying issue. Here are some possible reasons why your English bulldog may be shaking his head:

  1. Ear Infections: Ear infections are common in English bulldogs due to their floppy ears and can cause discomfort and itching, leading to head shaking. If your bulldog’s ears appear red, swollen, or have a foul odor, it’s important to have them checked by a veterinarian.
  2. Allergies: Bulldogs can be prone to allergies, which can cause itching and irritation in the ears, leading to head shaking. Allergies can be triggered by food, environmental factors, or parasites. If you suspect allergies, consult with your vet for proper diagnosis and treatment.
  3. Foreign Objects: Bulldogs may shake their heads to dislodge foreign objects, such as grass seeds or debris, that may have entered their ears. If your bulldog’s head shaking is accompanied by pawing at the ears or tilting the head to one side, it’s possible there may be something stuck in the ear canal. A vet can examine the ears and remove any foreign objects if necessary.
  4. Ear Mites: Ear mites are a common parasite that can cause itching, irritation, and head shaking in dogs. If your bulldog’s head shaking is accompanied by excessive scratching, redness, or dark discharge in the ears, it’s important to have them checked for ear mites.
  5. Idiopathic Head Tremor Syndrome: Bulldogs, like other breeds, can sometimes experience idiopathic head tremor syndrome, which is a benign condition with no known cause. This syndrome causes involuntary head tremors that can be mistaken for head shaking. If your bulldog’s head shaking is rhythmic and repetitive, it’s worth discussing with your vet to rule out this condition.

It’s important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause of your English bulldog’s head shaking. They can perform a thorough examination, recommend appropriate tests if needed, and provide the necessary treatment or management plan.

My english bulldog shakes his head why while sleeping
My english bulldog shakes his head why while sleeping – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What symptoms would a dog’s ear infection look like?

Shaking of the head are signs of dog ear infections. scratching the troubled ear. discharge that is dark. Odor. An ear canal that is red and swollen. Pain. Itchiness. In the ears, there may be crusting or scabs.

Published: Sep 02, 2019; updated: Jul 12, 2023.

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My english bulldog shakes his head why treatment
My english bulldog shakes his head why treatment – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How can I determine if my dog has ear mites?

The skin around the ear canal and the ear itself are home to ear mites. Dogs who have ear mites may scratch their ears, heads, and necks, experience skin rashes, shake their heads, have waxy, dark ear discharge that resembles coffee grounds, and have an unpleasant odor coming from their ears. A secondary bacterial or yeast infection in your dog’s ears may result from an ear mite infestation, which can make these symptoms worse.

Puppies and older dogs will both exhibit the same symptoms, including head shaking, scratching at the head and neck, skin irritation, and the presence of a waxy, dark ear discharge as well as an unpleasant odor coming from the ears.

Since ear mites are small and difficult to see, it is best to consult your veterinarian if you believe your puppy may have them.

How to stop head tremors in bulldogs
How to stop head tremors in bulldogs – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

When my dog doesn’t have an ear infection, why does he keep shaking his head?

Inflammatory diseases, neurologic disorders, or even foreign objects stuck in the ear canal can all cause excessive head shaking in dogs. Head tremors caused by these conditions can also be mistaken for excessive head shaking.

You should look for an underlying cause, such as allergies, anatomical abnormalities, or hypothyroidism, along with your veterinarian if your dog consistently gets ear infections.

The cause of a dog’s head shaking must be identified, and it must be treated, not only because it may be a sign of a more serious issue, but also because frequent or excessive head shaking can cause blood vessels in the ear flap to burst. For this reason, whenever possible, we should be preventing excessive head shaking rather than just treating it when it develops. The aural hematomas that result frequently need surgery to repair.

Bulldog head tremors cause and treatment
Bulldog head tremors cause and treatment – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How can I determine whether my dog has ear mites or an infection?

Diagnostic Examining. Your veterinarian needs to take a sample of the discharge from your dog’s ear and examine it under a microscope in order to differentiate between ear mites and an ear infection. In this way, ear mites are clearly visible.

What Are Ear Infections? What Are Ear Mites? Dog Yeast Infection vs. Ear Mites? Diagnostic Testing? Treating Ear Infections? Treating Ear Mites?FAQs.

You might be wondering what is causing your dog’s red, itchy, and painful ears if they are also painful and inflamed. Are ear mites to blame? Are there any other possibilities?

The presence of a sore ear is always cause for a visit to the vet, but if you’re curious about what they might find, keep reading!

Bulldog head tremors peanut butter
Bulldog head tremors peanut butter – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How are English bulldogs with head trembling treated?

Head tremors in bulldogs and France bulldogs can be prevented and treated, but seizure medication is debatable. If your bulldog has never had seizures, I typically won’t prescribe anything. It is not necessary to treat bulldog head tremors because they are typically harmless, intermittent, and do not last long.

  • Bulldogs and France bulldog
    s both have tremors in their heads.
  • The bulldog community refers to all of those symptoms as “bulldog head tremors”.
  • Members of this bulldog community favor prevention over treatment.
Bulldog head tremors while sleeping
Bulldog head tremors while sleeping – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What is a symptom of a shaking head?

A neurological condition known as essential tremor (ET) makes your hands, head, trunk, voice, or legs shake rhythmically. It is frequently confused with Parkinson’s illness. The most prevalent trembling disorder is essential tremor.

A neurological condition known as essential tremor (ET) makes your hands, head, trunk, voice, or legs shake rhythmically. The two conditions are frequently mixed up.

The most typical trembling disorder is essential tremor. Everyone has some level of tremor, but because it is so slight, it is usually impossible to see or feel the movements. It is deemed an essential tremor when there are discernible tremors.

Although it can affect anyone at any age, essential tremor is most prevalent in people over 65. Because the conditions may have different symptoms and may react to treatments differently, some experts have suggested classifying ET that develops earlier in life as essential tremor and ET that develops later in life as age-related tremor.

French bulldog head tremors
French bulldog head tremors – (Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What should I do if my dog’s head shakes unceasingly?

It’s probably time to arrange allergy testing if your dog is constantly shaking his head and exhibits a number of other symptoms, such as excessive paw licking, scratching at hot spots, diarrhea, and rashes.

Dogs occasionally shake or tilt their heads unintentionally, which could be a sign of neurological disorders. Other signs that point to a more serious medical condition include limping or walking abnormally, facial distortion, loss of balance, and pain-induced sobbing.

Other than shaking their heads briefly, some dogs will also shake off. Dogs use a technique known as a “shake off” to reset after any type of tense or stressful situation, according to Phillips. If dogs are shaking their entire body in addition to their head, this could be the cause. This is how they settle down, and it’s a typical reaction.

Should I be alarmed if my dog's head starts to tremble?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Should I be alarmed if my dog’s head starts to tremble?

The odd appearance of idiopathic head tremors is unimportant; they pose no threat. However, there are other, potentially more serious causes of head tremors. Visit your veterinarian for assistance if your dog starts shaking his or her head back and forth or up and down or exhibiting other neurologic symptoms.

Hopefully, it will turn out that your dog has idiopathic head tremors, just like my sweet Bulldog patient who I previously told you about. You’ll be able to exhale with relief if that’s the case. There’s a good chance that the head tremor will bother you more than your dog. IHTS doesn’t endanger your dog and shouldn’t prevent him or her from living life to the fullest, as I previously told my client.

What causes my dog's head to shake like it has something in it?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What causes my dog’s head to shake like it has something in it?

The condition that causes excessive head shaking is ear infection, which is the most frequently identified medical condition. in canine. A dog will shake her head when they have one of these infections because they frequently become itchy and cause a lot of inflammation and discharge. If you lift up the dog’s ear flap and notice any redness, discharge, or swelling, an infection is probably present. Ear mite infestations can produce similar symptoms, but they are less frequent in dogs (especially in adult dogs) than yeast or bacterial infections.

It’s important to keep in mind that infections can occur deep inside a dog’s ear, so even if you can’t see any outward symptoms, an infection may still exist.

If you put cotton balls (or, for small breeds, half a cotton ball) in your dog’s ears before swimming or taking a bath, you can easily avoid this. When bathing your dog, try to avoid dumping or spraying water directly on the dog’s head. As an alternative, give her body a bath from the neck down and wipe down her face and ears with a wet washcloth.

What causes the random shaking of my dog's head?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What causes the random shaking of my dog’s head?

Dogs most frequently shake their heads side to side to relieve ear discomfort, such as itching, or to clear the ear canal of foreign objects, such as dirt, water, or insects.

But if your dog’s deliberate head shaking turns into an unceasing occurrence, something is wrong. Your dog needs medical care and most likely has an ear infection or allergy.

Additionally, dogs have the ability to shake their heads to soothe their sore mouths. I’ve seen my own dog shake her head side to side many times after giving her “yucky” medicine or after she inhaled something week-old off the sidewalk that was covered in ants.

Without visiting a veterinarian, how can I treat my dog’s ear infection?

A warm compress, an ear flush with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide, and the use of organic anti-inflammatory products like coconut oil or aloe vera gel are just a few of the at-home remedies you can try in the interim to help your pet feel better.

How can I treat my dog's ear infection without visiting the doctor?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How can I treat my dog’s ear infection without visiting the doctor?

Witch hazel, apple cider vinegar, and coconut oil are a few well-liked alternatives. It’s important to remember that these treatments might not be effective for all dogs, so it’s always best to speak with a veterinarian if you have questions about available options.

Video:


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My English bulldog shakes his head, why?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Chelsea Vaughn

Chelsea is a former marine biologist who switched gears in her twenties to build a small house and start a business. She enjoys traveling and going on hiking adventures with her husband, their two Australian Shepherds and their African Grey Parrot.

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