Canine Head Shaking


 Head shaking in dogs is normal as long as it is infrequent. Dogs will naturally shake their heads to get something out of their ear (like a seed or bug) and usually, it is quite effective. BUT, if your dog starts to shake their head more frequently and it is persistent for more than a day and repeatedly, it is time to take your dog to the vet. 

Frequent head shaking can be caused by:

  • Bacterial & Yeast infections
  • Allergies
  • Water in the ears
  • A foreign object in the ear canal
  • Inflammatory diseases
  • Neurological disorders
If you notice your dog shaking their head repeatedly for more than a day, it is time to visit the vet. Continued head shaking can lead to ruptured blood vessels within a dog's ear flap (aural hematoma) which requires surgery. 

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