The aspect of animal cruelty comes into play in that many people will argue that there is no medical, physical, environmental or cosmetic advantage for the dog to have the pinnas (the ear flaps) surgically altered. Pulled muscles in dogs can occur due to lacerations, ruptures, or strains. If you think there might be a more serious underlying cause for your dogs continued head shakes, take them to the vet, especially if their ears also look red and inflamed. Every day we would admit purebred dogs from all over the area for the surgery and post surgical bandaging. Furthermore, cotton tip applicators might force material deeper into the ear canal. I decided, after considering all the pros and cons surrounding the ear cropping procedure, that when I opened my animal hospital I would not perform the ear cropping procedure. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The dog must eat only this food for a month or two. If the symptoms disappear or at least significantly improve, a food allergy is likely. you may be using too wide of a post or just not setting them far enough into the ear. Lauren Cocking, Medically reviewed by Dr. Dwight Alleyne, Everything we create is factually accurate and biased toward science meet our team of experts. In my first year of practice in a very busy, multi-doctor small animal hospital in an affluent Chicago suburb, we had a surgeon on the staff who was noted for his ability to crop ears. Whenever a dog shakes his head aggressively to try to clear a foreign substance, a blood vessel may break, causing swelling of the dogs ear flap, known as an auditory hematoma. Dogs shake their head for many different reasons Most of these, like trapped debris, allergies, and ear infections are generally easy to treat and nothing to worry about. Rubbing their ears or face on furniture, the floor, etc. Additionally, shaking their head can help to release endorphins, which can calm the dog down and make them less likely to bark. Weigh all the pros and cons, and then make your decision. For environmental allergies, diagnosis is based on blood testing or intradermal skin testing. Most of the conditions listed above can cause pain and discomfort to your dog. To get rid of the foreign entity, the dog might shake his head or paw at his ear. Excessive shaking can sometimes cause aural hematomas (blood blisters from ruptured blood vessels) which may need surgery to correct and repair. The ear of a healthy dog is light pink, with no redness or irritation. Excessive ear wax build-up could also be causing your dog to shake their head repeatedly. This can cause damage to the ear canal and eardrum, as well as push material deeper into the ear canal. Trauma to the ears can result from an external source or it could also be self-inflicted from excessive scratching or head shaking. Generally, ear cropping is performed when dogs are between 9 and 12 weeks old. Also, continuous vigorous headshaking can cause blood vessels in the ear flap to rupture leading to the formation of aural hematomas. Pull the ear flap up gently, and use a cotton ball or gauze to extract the dislodged debris and cleaning fluid from the outer aperture of the ear canal. Swelling and inflammation can occur if a foreign object is found inside a dogs ear. Or perhaps its bobbing like a bobblehead? Youve successfully signed in. Identifying and Treating Fungal Infections in Dogs, Shear Madness Summer Grooming and Sun Safety for Dogs. This actually isnt the case. This permits any leftover ear cleaning fluid and dirt from the ear canal to drain into the ears outer aperture. As you may know, ear cropping has something of a bad rap. home remedies you can use to remove ticks, 9 Common Texas Insects That You Should Know About, 7 Blood-Sucking Bugs That Might Live In Your House, Types of Flying Insects & Bugs (Identification), 7 Most Poisonous or Venomous Bugs in the World. Written by Need to speak with a veterinarian regarding your dog's shaking head or another condition. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale. However, if your pup is persistently and vigorously shaking their head, it can be a cause for concern. And to subject any dog to the "disfiguring" and unnecessary surgical procedure and subsequent taping and bandaging that sometimes needs to be done after the surgery amounts to animal cruelty and is indefensible. Surgery is often required to treat this condition. Identifying the reason behind head shaking in dogs should be done immediately so appropriate treatment can be given. This unique ear anatomy can easily trap debris, which in turn can increase a dogs risk of ear infections. Dog shakes head but ears are clean My 4 year old Toller is shaking his head significantly more than normal. An aural hematoma, also known as an ear hematoma, is a blood blister that develops between the skin and cartilage of the "pinna" (ear flap). If youre not sure, make sure to contact your groomer and ask right away. After this, the chances of success drop, as Fidos ears may already be drooping. The distinct signs of an ear infection include intense itching, ear discharge, and inflammation. Also, doing regular ear cleanings at home can help prevent future ear infections. Do not take matters into your own hands if it occurs in conjunction with any other ear infection symptoms. Not only can proper veterinary care alleviate discomfort and irritation, but it also has the potential to avoid more serious medical issues. If your dog shakes their head infrequently and at times when it makes sense for them to do so like, if you just bathed them or applied ear drops then its probably not an issue. Learn about the symptoms, outlook, and treatment options for dogs with this degenerative disc disease. Lack of coordination and balance, circling, head tilting, facial paralysis, deafness, flashing of the eyes back and forth (nystagmus), or other neurologic symptoms usually develop if the growth originates in the middle or inner ear. If your dog had a recent bath or a swim and is shaking his head, it's quite possible that he's suffering from an ear infection. However, if you have a dog who enjoys rolling around in the mud, perhaps some light brown ear wax is regular. Dogs most often shake their heads side to side to relieve ear discomfort, like itching, or to clear the ear canal of foreign substances, like dirt, water, or bugs. Raising the ear flap can assist in opening the canal and gaining access to the aperture. Sometimes, they do encounter bugs that cause irritation in their ears. While its vital to clean your dogs ears as needed, excessive washing can create ear canal inflammation, which can cause infections. The procedure is usually done with Doberman Pinschers, Boxers, Boston Terriers, or Great Danes. The revenue for a practice can be substantial for doing ear cropping. Insert cotton balls in your dogs ear before washing or swimming if they have persistent water inside the ears after bathing or swimming. Some of these symptoms include the following: Allergies cause a lot of itchiness. To avoid the transfer of bacteria or yeast, clean the top of the bottle with a sterile cotton ball soaked in alcohol if it comes into contact with your dogs ear. How Long Can You Leave Dry Dog Food Out in My Pets Dish? Active Shooter & Mass Attack Safety Resources. This is most likely dirt, grass seeds, water, a parasite, or an insect. Another reason why dogs shake their heads is because there's too much earwax, which can be uncomfortable, block air flow, and be another precursor of infection. They might have an infection, but dont panic because ear infections are very easy to treat. These are all factors that will help you figure out whats wrong. Dogs mainly shake their head persistently due to ear-related problems. While this can solve the problem if the dog has some water, a piece of grass, or an insect in his ear, continued head shaking indicates that the irritation is ongoing and needs to be addressed. Healthy ears shouldn't be cleaned at home, though. Below are some of the common ear infections that can make your dog shake his head when he barks: 1. As a natural behavior, dogs shake their heads when something is inside their ears and they want to get rid of it. In a pinch, you can use a solution of one-part white vinegar to two parts water. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! They are not painful and can actually live a quality life with the right family! Get them used to a daily check-up by following our simple. Intense itching associated with infections can lead to excessive scratching and head shaking-associated traumas. Some breeds of dogs through the ages have traditionally been recognized partly by the distinctive look of their head; cropped ears have become their trademark. However, if headshaking persists for more than 1-2 days, its high time to have your pet checked by your veterinarian. Ensure your dog gets regular visits to the veterinarians office. All types of ear infections require veterinary attention and intervention. But my decision not to do this surgery was a simple personal choice on my part. An excellent shake will pull most of the water out of your pets ear if its just some water. The cleaners will be able to break up the debris in the ear canal as a result. In these cases, antibiotics and medicated ear drops in combination are often prescribed. Best wishes, Dr. Dunn. 1. Never use a cotton-tipped swab to extract the fluid from the ear canal. Instead, bathe his body from the neck down and wipe down his face and ears with a damp washcloth. Select an ear cleanser with components that will assist in acidifying and drying out your ear canal. The cut edge of the ears should be neatly stitched, free of tape, and the rest of the ears can be taped to a foam cup or left to hang. Dogs who suffer from allergic skin disease require treatments that control. If your dogs ears are red, its most likely an infection, but it could also be inflamed if theyre scratching at them and injuring the tissue. The cartilage within the pinna is too thin to support the weight of the ear, The ear crop was too long for the size of the ear, The ears are "set too low" on the dog's head. Consult a veterinarian to know more about what type of allergies your dog has and how to handle it when your dog encounters an allergen. Crazy, right?! An ear-flopping head shake is one such thing. You must also request an allergy test if your dog has had multiple ear infections. Myoclonus is a rhythmic jerking of a single muscle or muscle group and a common sign of canine distemper virus, involving mostly the muscles of the limbs or head. Ear cropping and tail docking began as a utilitarian practice early on when dog breeds were developed and then put to work at the task they were designed to do. If your dog is shaking its head side to side deliberately, this is a completely natural behavior, usually practiced in order to relieve some type of discomfort. Expect to be criticized by those who disagree with your choice. Bacterial or yeast infection. So lightly touching your dogs ears is an excellent first step in determining their health. Most outer ear canal infections are caused by overgrowth of bacteria and yeast. It could be a condition called vestibular disease. Head shaking that occurs because of water getting into the ears is easily prevented by placing cotton balls (or half a cotton ball for small breeds) in the dogs ears prior to bathing or swimming. All the while these procedures were taking place, and while I observed the occasional dog owners who were angry, frustrated, and disappointed that their prized purebred dog would never "look right", I would concentrate on the patient. If you lift up the flap of your dogs ear(s) and see redness, swelling, or discharge, an infection is likely. Check your dogs ears and look for signs of ticks and mites. Most ear infections in dogs are predisposed by an underlying problem that affects the normal protective barrier of the ear. Frequently asked questions regarding your dog shaking head after ear cleaning are also answered. And this would create a scenario for bacteria to grow. Consistent head-shaking indicates ear problems, bacterial or yeast infections, parasites, or other medical issues that are bothering your dog. Many breeds are cropped. (Many veterinarians have to charge well over $150 per pup due to the anesthetic, surgery, bandages, hospital stay, and also will charge for rebandaging, suture removal, antibiotics, etc. I wish I had a better solution for you. Healthy ear wax will be light to golden yellow. Head shaking without any visible reasons, like shaking excess water after a swim or shaking insects off, indicates a hidden problem that requires prompt veterinary care. With a cotton ball or gauze, eliminate any debris and residual cleaning solution from the ear canal only go as far as your finger will touch. There is a need to evaluate the cause and severity of the infection as well as assess the integrity of the eardrum. The procedure is performed under anesthesia. If your dog has recurring ear infections, then an allergy might be the root cause, although thyroid issues can also cause recurrent ear infections in dogs. Carry on with the opposite ear in the same manner. 2023 The aural hematomas that result often require surgery to repair, which is why, whenever possible, we should be preventing excessive head shaking and not just treating it when it develops. These can be signs of a bacterial or fungal ear infection. Ear cropping is an elective surgery for puppies of particular types or breeds, usually occurring right after birth. A swab may be sent to a lab for bacterial and fungal culture if infection is suspected. However, if your dog's deliberate head shaking becomes incessant, something is wrong. Dogs shake their heads after a bath or a swim. But their unrelenting energy can tax your patience and make a mess. Use enough cleaner to completely fill the . This article explained the potential reasons for your dog shaking head after ear cleaning. To get your ears squeaky clean, discard the extra liquid and as much dirt as possible after using cleaning fluid. The veterinarian is likely to have several specialized products on hand, some of which may contain substances that help break down earwax and others that may help prevent germs or yeast from adhering to the canals wall. Second of all, it could indicate one of the more serious underlying issues mentioned above. You may notice your dog scratching around their ears or shaking their head frequently in an effort to get some relief. After that, its all downhill! This will help to determine the cause and the most appropriate treatment. Ear cropping does require a lot of aftercare. But if they do, I would highly recommend asking your veterinarian for their professional opinion and advice.

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