Head Wobbling

[m-j]

Hi

Just recently I have seen two dogs (Greyhounds) that have had involuntry head wobbling/shaking as I said in the topic description it is like they have Parkinsons. With both dogs it didn't last very long, they didn't appear to be in any pain and with both dogs I have only seen it once. Both times the dogs were anticipating an exciting event. One dog I don't know the other is my own and I think she may have done it once about two years ago. Can anyone tell me could be going on?

[jensgreys]

Hi

Just recently I have seen two dogs (Greyhounds) that have had involuntry head wobbling/shaking as I said in the topic description it is like they have Parkinsons. With both dogs it didn't last very long, they didn't appear to be in any pain and with both dogs I have only seen it once. Both times the dogs were anticipating an exciting event. One dog I don't know the other is my own and I think she may have done it once about two years ago. Can anyone tell me could be going on?

We have had 2 of our old female greyhounds do that, it looks like they are nodding at you all the time. I have never taken any notice of it because my elderly mother's head shook like that for about the last 10 yrs of her life and she had no idea she was doing it.

[Erny]

We have had 2 of our old female greyhounds do that, it looks like they are nodding at you all the time.

My avatar girl 'Kal' (bhcs) "nodded" - they were mini-seizure activities. It was a nod (as though saying "yes") but jutty in motion, as though a 'tic'. Sometimes the 'tic' would be like miniscule but sudden head tilts from one side angle to the other.

I've heard/read of some others' dogs who have done this and the cause was a pinched nerve.

[Dagmar]

Hi

Just recently I have seen two dogs (Greyhounds) that have had involuntry head wobbling/shaking as I said in the topic description it is like they have Parkinsons. With both dogs it didn't last very long, they didn't appear to be in any pain and with both dogs I have only seen it once. Both times the dogs were anticipating an exciting event. One dog I don't know the other is my own and I think she may have done it once about two years ago. Can anyone tell me could be going on?

Hi

I have a dog who sometimes has this kind of head tremors, it is not like nodding, it is more tiny shakes from side to side. First it was quite frightening, but now I know what to do to stop it. I assume in my dog it is a very light form of a seizure. I tried a number of things, the Emergency Essence of the Australian Bush Flower Essences shortened the duration a lot. But still I was not happy with the result. I am an Animal Acupressure Practitioner, so I tried pressing the acupoint GV 26 - and the tremors stopped immediately! Gina recently had a full blown seizure and I tried that point again - she came out of the seizure immediately. This point is also used in humans to treat shock or to get newborn babies to start breathing, if they don't do it by themselves. I believe it is absolutely crucial that every dog owner knows where this point is, so I will explain it here: GV 26 can be found on the midline below the nostrils

Please try it next time it happens and let us know how what happened!

Dagmar

[OSoSwift]

Head bobbing can sometimes be a sign of Liver issues as well as can head pressing.

They can do it for no apparent reason as well.

If it was a one off then it may have been excitement????? don't know??

[m-j]

Thanks all for your replies.

Dagmar if I do see it again I will try. How long do you apply the pressure for?

OOS what is head pressing?

[OSoSwift]

Where they will stand in a corner or against a wall and drop their nose and press their head against the wall. They can do continuous small presses or longer or single ones where they stand for ages with their head against something. It is very odd to see and is quite often seen when there are lots of toxins circulating in the blood stream of a very unwell dog.

[Dagmar]

Thanks all for your replies.

Dagmar if I do see it again I will try. How long do you apply the pressure for?

OOS what is head pressing?

I usually apply the pressure until it stops and then a bit longer. Eventually the dog will move away. 1 minute should be enough.

Dagmar

[aj2251]

Look up idiopathic head bobbing. If you also look specifically on youtibe you will see examples of what it looks like.

My bulldog started doing this, his was in the "yes" manner. He was perfectly conscious and able to follow commands and eat. It happened at night 4 days in a row, would only last a minute or 2 each time and could not be related to hunger or excitement.

I tried giving cheese (which was a recommendation), no change, rescue remedy (which helped the first time, not the 2nd) and finally mag phos (which is a cell salt avail from chemists or health food stores) and this is what provided the answer for us. Since giving him mag phos 1/2tab once a day with food, he has not had an episode since. My bullie was on cortisone at the time and now he has been weaned off the cortisone I plan to take him off the mag phos too and see what happens.

[Dagmar]

Look up idiopathic head bobbing. If you also look specifically on youtibe you will see examples of what it looks like.

My bulldog started doing this, his was in the "yes" manner. He was perfectly conscious and able to follow commands and eat. It happened at night 4 days in a row, would only last a minute or 2 each time and could not be related to hunger or excitement.

I tried giving cheese (which was a recommendation), no change, rescue remedy (which helped the first time, not the 2nd) and finally mag phos (which is a cell salt avail from chemists or health food stores) and this is what provided the answer for us. Since giving him mag phos 1/2tab once a day with food, he has not had an episode since. My bullie was on cortisone at the time and now he has been weaned off the cortisone I plan to take him off the mag phos too and see what happens.

Thank you so much for your post! Finally we have a name for it. That is exactly what my Gina does, only in the "no" manner ;-). Similar to you I tried the Emergency Essence of the Australian Bush Flower Essence and the head bobbing time came down from about 15 minutes to 1 minute. Now with the acupoint GV 26 I can stop it immediately. It does not happen so often any more either, maybe only once in 6 months. Interesting about the mag phos, are you giving it every day? I wonder, if it would not react with the food first?

Please let us know what happens when you stop.

Thanks for sharing!

Dagmar

[Jessca]

My dobie boy also has idiopathic head tremors, I have spoken with a specialist and they have advised that as long as it is not affecting his everyday life then there is nothing they can do. His head goes side to side, and he can be distracted out of it, by a pat or calling his name. They can give them beta-blockers and other heart related meds but that can make heart problems (like DCM) worse.

If your dog does have this then there is not much to worry about, but it might be best to get a vets opinion just in case.