samoyedman Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 My dog is regularly shaking himself and I don't know why. I suspect its something around his left ear area but I've inspected it and can't see any foreign objects in it or signs of an infection. Any ideas on what else I can look at to determine what might be causing this excessive shaking? He also seems to be scratching the area more than usual and last night I saw him rubbing the left side of his head on the lawn. His appetitie seems to have dropped off a bit. Other than these 'symptoms' he seems as playful and energetic as ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Time for a visit to the Vet to look down the ear canal. Could be the beginnings of an infection or a foreign body like a grass seed down the canal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Time for a visit to the Vet to look down the ear canal.Could be the beginnings of an infection or a foreign body like a grass seed down the canal. Absolutely agree. Off to the Vet for a thorough inspection. Sometimes the cause of these things is not apparent to the naked eye. Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldens Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Several years agomy golde retriever KayCee had what I thought was a seizure. I ruhed her to the vet and it was what he called a vertigo episode due to a very deep ear infection. She ha not been scratching her ear, shaking her head, there was no redness or small. He had me put drops in her ear for 2 weeks. She never had another episode. There was no hint of ear infection. My honey had been shaking her head a lot and I suspect ear infecion despite clean, ears with no smell. But her ears were fine. It was just a "nervous shake" my vet said. So you never really know and it is bet to get them checked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
all that glitters Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 Maybe ear mites? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 (edited) Never hesitate to take a dog to the vet with a suspected ear problem. I had a neglected foster dog with severe ear infections that had already burst her eardrums when I got her - horrific and required 3 surgeries. Hairy breeds are quite susceptible as their ears need attention from the owners and/or groomers. My foster was a maltese/westie cross. Just had the shaking head problem with my Tenterfield terrier and the vet diagnosed an ear problem requiring ear drops for 10 days - not for the faint-hearted, she has to be muzzled and puts on a performance worthy of an Oscar nomination. She literally screams and screams BEFORE the drops go in. And unlike my foster dog whose ears were filthy on inspection, you couldn't see anything in the Tenterfield's ears. Edited May 16, 2009 by dogmad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted May 16, 2009 Share Posted May 16, 2009 The ear canal is quite deep and you will not be able to see all the way down without the proper equipment. Off to the vet so they can have a proper look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CP* Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 My dog had exactly the same symptoms when he had a grass seed in his ear. The quicker you get the vet to take it out the less likely it will lodge deeply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilly Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Definately sign something is not right with the ear. We are always off to the vet as soon as the dog starts scratching his ear or shaking his head - and it always turns out to be an ear infection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puggy_puggy Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Ear mites Yeast infection Deep middle ear infection A vet check is needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peigirl Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Before you nick off to the vets - have you actually tried cleaning his ears first? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 (edited) Before you nick off to the vets - have you actually tried cleaning his ears first? It's not a good idea to fill ears with anything before a vet consult. You cannot see a dog's inner ear from the outside. Head for a vet - better safe than sorry. Edited May 18, 2009 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peigirl Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 Before you nick off to the vets - have you actually tried cleaning his ears first? It's not a good idea to fill ears with anything before a vet consult. You cannot see a dog's inner ear from the outside. Head for a vet - better safe than sorry. My point is the vet visit might not be necessary. Its the wrong season for grass seeds. A floating piece of ear wax or loose piece of hair will cause scratching/rubbing/head shaking. I have two dogs with narrow ear canals who regularly have a wax build up and I can always solve any discomfort by simply cleaning their ears. Yes a vet visit might be necessary but nothing is to be lost from a simple clean first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirty Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 If there is a foreign body in the ear, attempting to clean it could force the object further down and cause more pain/problems. Definitely vet visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samoyedman Posted May 18, 2009 Author Share Posted May 18, 2009 Thanks for replies and the concern for my fluffball. Went to vet and good news is no infection or foreign bodies. Also checked him all over for fleas etc and nothing. He did find a bit of ear wax but nothing out of the ordinary. Theory is it may be irritating. He gave me a bottle of Epi-Otic and demonstrated how to use it. He squeezed a liberal amount of the liquid into the ear and then proceeded to vigorously rub the whole ear right down to the base which got the occasional loud yelp of pain (is there anything more disconcerting than hearing your dog in pain?). I have to now do this myself all this week. I'm not looking forward to it. Hopefully the vet is right but part of me is wondering if it's just a small amount of wax like most dogs get why would he be shaking his head? He would barely know its there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Posted May 18, 2009 Share Posted May 18, 2009 (edited) Hmm maybe it is something wrong with his ear drum? I thought I had an ear infection a while ago (a lot of discomfort and irritation) turned out I had a tiny hole in my ear drum (have burst it twice before and this tiny hole was in the scar). Is his balance off at all? That would hint at an inner ear problem. I use Epi-Otic to clean the dogs ears, it is really good. Elle loves the vigorous rubbing Maybe get another opinion? I do not think something as simple as a small amount of wax would cause irritation. Only a large build up of wax would. Hope he feels better soon Edited May 18, 2009 by Mim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 (edited) Did your Vet do an ear smear? (Sample onto slide and stain it up to look at it under the microscope). Edited May 19, 2009 by Staff'n'Toller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samoyedman Posted May 19, 2009 Author Share Posted May 19, 2009 Nope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peigirl Posted May 19, 2009 Share Posted May 19, 2009 Like I said loose wax will cause those symtoms described - even if its only just a little bit. Is Loki still shaking his head today SM? If I took my dogs to vet everytime they were shaking their heads with an ear wax build up I would be there weekly. Epi-Otic is a strong alcohol based cleaner and it will sting inflamed or irritated skin. I don't use it and there are other products you can use that do the same job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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