What is head shaking in dogs?
Vestibular syndrome may be the cause of head shaking among dogs. The damage to an organ responsible for balance in the dog’s inner ear is the usual cause of this condition. Balance and normal coordination are lost and the dog will sway his head or hold it tilted to one side.
The eyes may flicker in an upward and downward manner and even sideways. Often, this is misconstrued as stroke. When a dog suffers from this condition, they are somewhat scared and disoriented. Because of such, they end up hiding in the dark and quiet cornered environments. This is a recurring problem although treatment may be successful. The older types of dogs suffer from this problem. Head shaking is really a serious problem in canines and although treatments are available the cure to the more severe cases are not yet available. If your dog is suffering from such a condition, he will be given certain drugs that could be taken for the rest of his life.
Another possible cause for the dog to abnormally shake its head is epilepsy. The dog often shakes his entire body and legs. Your pet may seem confused after 'fits' that only last several minutes. Nevertheless, he can recover fully afterwards. Most causes of epilepsy are idiopathic. This means that there is no identifiable reason for its occurrence. Tablets which will have to be taken for life are the treatment of choice needed for this condition. Ear problems may also be another cause for the dog to shake his head frequently.
When your dog begins to do a constant head shaking, at first sight you may think that it is normal but when the shaking continues for a prolonged time then it is already a concern. Many people notice this but tend to overlook the problem. Like any other dog illnesses, early treatment brings the best results. When your dog becomes seriously ill, it will already be difficult to subject him to medical treatment as the disease may have already led to the organ damage as in most cases.
Prevention is by far better than cure and research has shown that dogs living a sedentary lifestyle are much more susceptible to diseases than those living an active way of life. So you must make sure that your dog is very much active all the time. Exercise is very vital when it comes to your dog's health. Hence, don’t hesitate in including your pet into your exercise schedule. When you go for a jog or a walk try to take your dog along with you. This will also help build your dog’s stamina and thus prevent the development of similar diseases in the future.
Dogs are certainly man's best friend. Thus, they should be treated as such. Try your best to ensure that he eats a healthy or a well balanced meal all the time. Avoid over feeding your pet, most especially with unhealthy snacks. Pay some regular visits to the veterinary clinic as it is also an important routine to establish. These regular visits will ensure that the vet identifies any disease happening in your dog during its early stages.
Disclaimer
This pet health article is for reference only.
If your pet is showing any symptoms or distress, and you suspect your pet is ill CONTACT YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY.