But if they do, I would highly recommend asking your veterinarian for their professional opinion and advice. This is the fastest way to find your dog after an escape. Treatment depends on the cause of the problem. If youre not sure, make sure to contact your groomer and ask right away. Grasp one ear and hold the ear flap (pinna) up vertically to expose straighten out the ear canal. When to contact the vet for a dog shaking head after ear cleaning? An ear infection caused by bacteria or yeast is the most common health issue that causes excessive head shaking in dogs. Common causes include allergies, ear mites, trapped water and floppy ears. Bacterial or yeast infection. Founded in 1884, the not-for-profit AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for all dogs. Clinical signs associated with it include head shaking, swollen and red ears, ear scratching, an odor, and discharges. My mission is to provide well-researched information about pets. However, more severe neurological reasons may require more complex solutions. He is 10 months old. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Allergies in dogs are significantly more frequent and diverse than you might believe. Why Your Dog Keeps Shaking His Head and How to Help Vocalizing or whining when the ears are scratched or rubbed, Increased production of wax in the ear canals, Scabs and crusting on the ears or the face, A fluid-filled swelling within the ear flap (, Regularly check your dogs ears. Some dogs are allergic to a specific ingredient in their pet food or allergens in the environment (molds, dust mites, pollen, etc.). The dampness may be a result of an ear infection.Your dog or cat may also shake his head constantly more than usual. Grab one ear and lift the ear flap vertically to reveal the ear canal and straighten it out. 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. AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. Ear itching in dogs is one of the prominent symptoms of allergies. One of the biggest reasons for uncontrollable head shaking is allergies. Advertisement. Mites are contagious and can be transferred from one canine to the other. After 4 days of this we brought him to the vet even though his ears looked good and didn't smell. Fill the ear canal with enough cleanser. Instead, bathe his body from the neck down and wipe down his face and ears with a damp washcloth. or do they know someone near you who could help? Ear infections should not be treated at home without the advice of a vet. Smelly ears. Consult a veterinarian to get a clear idea about the cause behind your dogs unusual behavior. Bacteria and yeast accumulation in your dogs ears leads to infections. If your vet suspects a food allergy, your pet may be started on an elimination diet to identify the allergen culprit. Allergic Reaction. No. Want to know more about TryFi.com? Let your dog wag his tail and shake his head. If you sniff your pup's ears and notice an odor and brown gunk but no skin irritation or discharge, it's time to clean your dog's ears. Generally, if the ears aren't standing at 4 to 5 months of age they aren't going to stand erect. The main reason why your dog would be shaking their body after a bath is to dry themselves off. But its always helpful to ask your veterinarian which dog ear cleaners they recommend. 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. Get them used to a daily check-up by following our simple. For example, shaking their head may help to dislodge something that is irritating their vocal cords. 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. Dog Shaking After Surgery: What Does It Mean? Open 365 days a year. You can also download the FirstVet app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Stores. Your pups ears will start itching as they heal, so youll need to keep him from scratching or rubbing them. Intense itching, ear drainage, and inflammation are all indicators of an ear infection. Try the Fi Dog Collar today! What is Ear Cropping in Dogs? Ear infections are common . Hell back away from you if theyre painful from an injury or infection, and he wont let you touch him. Healthy ears shouldn't be cleaned at home, though. Elective Surgery: Should You Or Shouldnt You? Environmental allergies are best diagnosed through intradermal skin testing, but blood testing is a reasonable option for some dogs. Afterward, wipe the ear clean using a cotton bud. if not, could you post a photo of your pups ears, before and after you post them? This can pave the way for more serious and complicated problems that can lead to permanent ear damage and/or loss of hearing. I have owned three animal hospitals since my first year out of veterinary school back in 1970. Ear wax keeps debris, pollen, and grime out of the ears. Surgery can be a solution to excessive head shaking in extreme cases, such as if your pooch has a blood blister (aural hematoma) on their ear flap, ear polyps, or a more complex neurological disorder. Is There A Connection Between Dog Grooming and Ear Infections? Additionally, certain breeds, including Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, and English Bulldogs, are vulnerable to severe ear wax and require increased ear cleanings to avoid illness. you may be using too wide of a post or just not setting them far enough into the ear. Rubbing their ears or face on furniture, the floor, etc. Instructions for Ear Cleaning and Administering Ear Medication in Dogs Never use a cotton-tipped swab to extract the fluid from the ear canal. Take your dog to the vet for clarification. 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. If this isnt the case, its best to seek advice from a veterinarian. Why Does My Dog Shake His Ears After Grooming? - Fi The income lost was a non-factor in my decision not to do ear cropping. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Most of the disorders described above might cause your dog pain and distress. Does it look more like trembling or tremors? Dog shakes head but ears are clean My 4 year old Toller is shaking his head significantly more than normal. Using any special equipment to clean your dogs ears is not necessary. Retain the ear cleaning fluid with your other hand while softly yet firmly grasping your dogs ear flap. Painful, hot, red, or swollen ears. Continue the cleaning technique as often as your veterinarian suggests. Your vet will be able to prescribe medications to heal the infection. On numerous occasions, Ive witnessed my own dog shaking her head side to side after inhaling week-old whatever covered in ants off the sidewalk or after being given yucky medicine. You can also download the FirstVet app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Stores. Ear Cropping: Is it Right for Your Dog? | PetMD While its vital to clean your dogs ears as needed, excessive washing can create ear canal inflammation, which can cause infections. Check your dogs ears to solve this problem. Use enough cleaner to completely fill the . Head shaking that lasts merely a few days or weeks should not be cause for concern. To get your ears squeaky clean, discard the extra liquid and as much dirt as possible after using cleaning fluid. This is most likely dirt, grass seeds, water, a parasite, or an insect. Dogs tilt and shake their head if they have an irritant stuck in their ear. As you may know ear cropping is a surgical procedure in which the ear is trimmed back so that it stands up, rather than flopping over. Some dog behaviors are normal as long as they are infrequent, but become a problem when you begin to see them with some regularity. When he's calm, drip the ear-cleaning solution in your dog's ear until it fills the ear canal. Ear mites, infections, and allergies are among the most common causes of constant head shaking. When your dog gets their hair cut, some of those loose hairs could fall into their ear, causing irritation and inflammation. Healthy ear wax will be light to golden yellow. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Cotton swabs tend to push wax and debris deeper into the ear canal, making it impossible to remove them. Infections are one of the most common conditions among humans and their pets.