"My dog shakes his head all of the time"... Does this sound familiar?
Some head shaking is normal, but if it is excessive, it usually indicates that your pet's ears are bothering them and this is their way to relieve the symptoms. The key is to find out what is causing them discomfort or pain.
Possible Causes:
Otitis Externa, an inflammation of the external ear canal. Once inflamed, an ear infection can follow. Ears are a prime location for bacteria and yeast infections, It is warm, dark and moist, just the kind of place infections like to grow. Even a mild yeast infection could cause your dog to shake his head frequently. Symptoms could also include redness, swelling an unpleasant odor (indicating yeast) A common cause for ear infections are underlying allergies. Here is an interesting article on ear infections and yeast. We have had wonderful results using K-9 Yeast Defense . Diet can also play a big part so be aware that food allergies in pets can be a trigger.
Ear Vasculitis-an inflammation of the vessels in the pinna or ear flap. More common in breeds like Dachshunds and Jack Russell Terriers. The ear flap will begin to have a thickening of the outside margins of the ears, which eventually become ulcerated and then crust over. Treatment of the inflammation and any open ulcers are advised. In addition, adding fish oil, such as Amazing Omegas could help with Ear Vasculitis.
Ear Mites- a close examination of the outer ear and the visible part of the inner ear will reveal a fine dark substance that looks like coffee grounds, which indicate that mites have taken up residence. If you suspect ear mites see your vet for a microscopic evaluations and treatment.
Ear Hematomas If your pet shakes his head too much from the ear infection, it can cause other problems, such as an ear hematoma which is when a pocket of blood forms on the ear flap. Treatment usually consists of the blood being released from the hematoma, a treatment your veterinarian must do.
Thanks for visiting our blog. We appreciate your interest and understand the importance of addressing your concerns about dog peanut butter allergies and how to stop your dog's itching and scratching. We have all of the information you need and can provide you with the most accurate and helpful information at our newly revised website page.
If your dog is getting ear infections, peanut butter as well as other food allergens can definitely be a contributing factor. Changing your pup's food to a low carbohydrate, novel protein diet, avoiding common food allergens and feeding alternative treats that don't contain peanuts or peanut butter can greatly help. Learn more about holistic treatments for dog ear infections.
While this particular blog page is no longer active, we have these new dedicated pages that specifically address the topics you were searching for. Ask Ariel Your Pet Nutritionist has been helping pet owners find natural solutions for their pets health issues since 2005. Recommended by veterinarians nationwide, our website AskAriel.com contains a library of pet health articles to help you treat your pet's health issues naturally. If you need immediate help, please feel free to reach out to us by email: Support@AskAriel.com Our compassionate staff will answer promptly!
Originally Posted: 2/6/2009
Updated: 2/9/2024