My dog shakes her head after barking. Is this normal or an ear issue?

Head tilting and head shaking are common occurrence when inner ear problems such as an ear infection, allergies or even mites occur. It is possible that there may be something bothering the inside of your dog's ear and it may be that either barking helps relieve it, is a symptom of it (IE he is barking because it hurts) or the barking is the cause of the irritation. It is a good idea to take a peek into your dog's ears if he'll let you to see if you can see any signs of infection or irritation such as redness, dirt/debris, bad smell (usually a "corn chip" like smell) or other signs of problems. If the ear is irritated to the point where it can't be touched, this is also a good indication of a possible ear problem. Ear infections are usually treated with a medicated ear ointment and cleaner from your vet over a period of 7-10 days to relieve the problem, while allergies can be treated with a daily oral allergy medication (your vet can give you dosing information if this is the case). In some cases of severe infections, your vet may also want to sedate your dog to get a thorough ear cleaning in and to relieve the problem quickly. In some cases, head tilt and shaking can also indicate an illness called Vestibular Disease. This is commonly seen with other symptoms such as walking in a circle (usually in the direction of the head tilt), scratching at the ear, constant head tilt or signs of dizziness such as nausea and vomiting. This situation is more serious, and can be caused by a number of issues ranging from severe infections, to neurologic problems and should be looked at by a vet as soon as possible if suspected. If this behavior is new, then making a checkup with your local vet is the best option to look for ear problems causing the odd behavior. In the mean time, prevent him from scratching at or shaking his head when possible- an Elizabethan collar (cone) can help to stop this and prevent any spread of infection/irritation.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is probably behavioral, not medical. As the outside air hits him he shakes as we do, in stretching, in the morning. Dogs also shake their heads out of excitement. My dogs shakes his head and body EVERY TIME he gets up and A LOT when excited. It is normal for him and he's never had an ear infection. Stone is normal to be shaking his head when he goes outside. Have a great day!

If your dog is shaking her head and flapping her ears than she may have an ear infection or allergy. You can look in her ears to see if she has any redness, discharge or odor. If she continues to flap her ears, she is at risk of getting an ear hematoma so she should be examined by a vet to determine the cause and needed treatment.

It could be something is bothering Eivan's ears, like an ear infection. Or his ear could have been itchy. Shaking the head can make you a little disoriented and off balance, so that would explain why he was tripping. Keep an eye on him, and if he does this again, have him seen by a vet.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Head tremors can be observed with neurologic conditions or even electrolyte imbalances. I recommend that you have Buddy evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They are likely going to perform and examination to be followed by bloodwork which should help start sorting this out. A referral to a veterinary neurologist may be recommended. Good luck!

Head shaking doesn't indicate anything on its own. It could be that there is something irritating Orvia's ear or nose, itchy skin, a bug bite causing a reaction, neurologic or muscular issues, or more. If you are seeing other signs and symptoms in addition to the head shaking (loss of balance, nausea, confusion, etc), discharge from the ears or nose, or the head shaking doesn't resolve, having a vet take a look in person is best.

Dogs having a seizure are typically unaware and unresponsive to their surroundings and will not respond when you call their name or attempt to interact with them. They can experience repeated behavior (such as fly biting), or a grand mal seizure with paddling of the legs while laying on the floor. Head shaking while waking up or while walking do not sound consistent with seizure activity, although it cannot be definitively excluded. Head shaking is more commonly a result of ear discomfort in dogs, which can be caused by ear infections, inflammation within the ear, or ear mites. Since Bit Bit Fletcher is shaking her head so much, I recommend taking her to the vet for evaluation to determine the cause of this issue. If an infection is present, the vet will be able to evaluate any ear discharge under the microscope so that the most appropriate medication to treat her problem can be prescribed. I hope this helps and that all goes well!