kurrajongmum Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Can someone please help .I have a 9 year old male Chihuahua who has been progressively shaking his head more and more for quite a long time now. When it started it wasn't noticed so much but now he is shaking heaps throughout the day and even in bed when he changes position ( which is so annoying ) He shakes so hard that he sprays dribble around him and you can hear hi ears hitting his head ! Ive taken him to the vet and had his ears checked .The vet says they are completely clear and her only idea is that he could have Hydrocephalus fluid around the brain and unless it gets more constant we shouldn't do anything as the diagnosis testing is very expensive and it wouldn't be causing him any pain or discomfort .Nor is it curable .The only other solution if it got worse was to put him on steroids I think it was .Which i believe would also be expensive for the rest of his life . Well its getting worse and I can't see that its not a bother to him it sure is to me and my family . Ha anyone else had this issue with there dog particularly a chihuahua ? Im so unsure as to wether to proceed with starting him on medication or get another opinion ? Could the vet have missed a problem within the ears ? They are not red or smelly and he isn't scratching them . Hoping someone can help me ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 I think the vet may be right about a brain issue... and the only way to be completely sure is to do the tests. Shaking his head around all the time can't be comfortable for the little guy... get it sorted... and if he needs medication for the rest of his life, then that's what he needs... T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_PL_ Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 I would get a second opinion if you're looking at something like lifetime steroids. That head shaking needs to stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 There are certainly more reasons for head shaking than an ear problem -- if he were mine I would definitely be getting more tests done or seeing another vet . It really isn't comfortable for him, and would also be causing some pain ... Seems he needs relief NOW , and if money is a big problem , and you cannot afford tests/medication ,you may need to talk about other options .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurrajongmum Posted September 16, 2016 Author Share Posted September 16, 2016 Thanks for your replies everyone he is a big part of our family and I don't want him in pain or discomfort that's for sure ! I didn't do too much about it sa first as he really shows no sign of pain or even distress more I thought it was a habit he had developed as he does have some "quirky "ways ! I was told that just to properly diagnose would cost thousands and other than the steroids they wouldn't be able to do anything if that was the problem. I think I might go get another opinion then go from there , the vet we are seeing I'm confident is good though . Apparently the apple shaped dome head in chihuahuas is the cause for this problem . I'm just not finding much info on it to know if her diagnosis sounds correct . Thank you all once again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurrajongmum Posted September 16, 2016 Author Share Posted September 16, 2016 Ps if steroids is what he needs for the rest of his life rest assured it's what I will be doing for him ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fbaudry Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 I would seriously have him properly tested and have scans etc done.... Syringomyela is the first thing that comes to my mind. What other quirks does he exhibit? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurrajongmum Posted September 16, 2016 Author Share Posted September 16, 2016 Oh the other quirks are not related I'm sure ie: he runs along through the house with a little skip of the back leg . He had surgery on the joint many many years ago as they thought it was the ligament but to this day he still does it but exhibits no pain more we and the vet think it's a little habit . He also carries his biscuits one at a time from his bowl in the laundry and places them on the carpet in the living room to eat one at a time . All things that we think are his funny little habbits but with the head shaking as it's become so frequent I'm definitely concerned . It's been a matter of weeks since seeing the vet and he is definitely doing it more frequently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurrajongmum Posted September 16, 2016 Author Share Posted September 16, 2016 fbaudry what is Syringomyela ? I have not heard of this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BullBreedBoy Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 I know of a Min Pin that presented with the same issues and it turned out to be some kind of inflammation around the brain. Can't remember whole story sorry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 The limping is possibly a patella issue ..the organised eating is fine ... I have a dog that does a very similar thing - but the head shaking is worthy of some more attention Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurrajongmum Posted September 16, 2016 Author Share Posted September 16, 2016 Will post an update when I get some news thanks everyone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Will post an update when I get some news thanks everyone I hope you can get to the bottom of this distressing behaviour; you obviously love this little one very much. I would encourage a second opinion as even vets who we would just about put on a pedestal can sometime miss something. :) LOL at how he takes his food out the bowl and goes to eat it elsewhere ---- one of mine does this and I’ve had dogs in the past who have done this, particularly with treats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottsmum Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Oh the other quirks are not related I'm sure ie: he runs along through the house with a little skip of the back leg . He had surgery on the joint many many years ago as they thought it was the ligament but to this day he still does it but exhibits no pain more we and the vet think it's a little habit . He also carries his biscuits one at a time from his bowl in the laundry and places them on the carpet in the living room to eat one at a time . All things that we think are his funny little habbits but with the head shaking as it's become so frequent I'm definitely concerned . It's been a matter of weeks since seeing the vet and he is definitely doing it more frequently. ha ha ha - my last dog used to 'skip' when she was in trouble & Scottie, my current boy, likes to carry his food off and eat in private. Really hope you get to the bottom of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurrajongmum Posted September 16, 2016 Author Share Posted September 16, 2016 Hi everyone , We've seen another vet same diagnosis so back to our trusted one ???? We now have microlone (cortisone) 5mg tabs to start one per day for a week then 1/2 per day for a week and monitor his behavior! If we have success the vet will adjust his dosage accordingly until we get it right. Turns out the medication is very inexpensive it can shorten his life span but not hugely and we all agree it's about the quality of his life , can't have him being miserable . The aim of the medication is to settle the inflammation around the base of the brain . Fingers crossed this is the solution . Thanks for all the support and interesting comments means a lot . Will re post when and if I see difference. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Hi everyone , We've seen another vet same diagnosis so back to our trusted one ???? We now have microlone (cortisone) 5mg tabs to start one per day for a week then 1/2 per day for a week and monitor his behavior! If we have success the vet will adjust his dosage accordingly until we get it right. Turns out the medication is very inexpensive it can shorten his life span but not hugely and we all agree it's about the quality of his life , can't have him being miserable . The aim of the medication is to settle the inflammation around the base of the brain . Fingers crossed this is the solution . Thanks for all the support and interesting comments means a lot . Will re post when and if I see difference. Cheers Thanks for the update, and I hope the effects start to show very soon :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 I didn't post earlier as I didn't really have anything to add, but I hope your little munchkin feels better soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurrajongmum Posted September 16, 2016 Author Share Posted September 16, 2016 Thank you me too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 (edited) Sorry to hear this. Think about keeping a little diary - it might help you identify how things are progressing. Wishing you all the best. Edited September 16, 2016 by The Spotted Devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Rusty Bucket Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 (edited) We now have microlone (cortisone) 5mg tabs to start one per day for a week then 1/2 per day for a week and monitor his behavior! That was what I was going to suggest - try the meds and see if they make a difference... and that would go part way towards a diagnosis maybe. Ie if they make no difference it wasn't the brain thing. Syringomyela I think that's when a dog's brain grows too big for its skull - it's nasty, there's fits and doggy screaming. Mostly happens to badly bred King Charles Cavalier Spaniels. My dog shakes her head so hard her ears flap on the sides of her head. She usually does this when she gets water in her ears. And sometimes when she's been gardening and got sand or dirt in her ears. It usually clears up pretty quickly and she'd only do it two or three times a day. I think it's part of her routine like stretch, 1&2, full body shake (with ear flapping). She also likes to play with her food, and carry it off to eat somewhere more private. Tho usually that's with treats or the kongs - not so much with each bit of kibble. Edited September 17, 2016 by Mrs Rusty Bucket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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