Dogs are often exposed to environmental factors, which are not always favorable. One of the signs of a malfunction of the pet's body is that the dog shakes its head.

Factors that provoked such behavior could be minor damage or an ear mite. In severe cases, the cause of head shaking is a foreign body stuck in the ear, or an inflammatory process of the inner ear, which threatens the development of pathological changes in the membranes of the brain.

If a dog shakes its head, a frequent cause of this phenomenon in veterinary medicine is the active growth of colonies of opportunistic microflora in the ear. A favorable environment for the growth and reproduction of various bacteria and fungi is created in the ear canal.

In addition to the inflammatory process provoked by their activity, the animal has severe itching, which causes discomfort to the dog. He starts shaking his head and ears, trying to scratch the itchy area.

The basic task of the owner is to detect the presence of characteristic symptoms in a timely manner, and to contact a veterinary hospital for help. In the conditions of the clinic, the patient will undergo a full range of diagnostic measures, which make it possible to identify the real cause of the development of discomfort, itching and pain in the ears, as well as select the most gentle therapy scheme.

Possible reasons

When a dog shakes its head, it does not always indicate the development of otitis and inflammatory processes in the ear or ear canal. There are about 8 diseases in veterinary medicine associated with lesions of the ear canal and the animal's head, one of the symptoms of which is head shaking.

In order to respond as soon as possible and provide help to the pet, it is necessary to establish the exact cause. Diseases that provoke the development of a pathological process in the auricle are characterized not only by shaking the head, but also by other symptoms.

A sick dog may whine, try to rub against the carpet or bed. Subconsciously, the animal tries to ease the pain it feels. The main reasons why a dog often shakes its head are:

• Otodectosis or ear mite. This type of disease is the most common cause of symptoms such as itching and ear pain in dogs. The cause of the development of the pathological process is a microscopic mite that is introduced under the skin. A dog's ear is the most favorable habitat for microscopic mites. The conditions there are extremely favorable - temperature, humidity and lack of air microcirculation. The ear mite feeds on particles of dead epidermis, lymph, blood and earwax. In the process of its vital activity, the mite gnaws the passages as it moves forward, provoking itching and discomfort in the auricle. Signs of otodectosis are that the dog constantly scratches the ears, pinches them. From the ear canal of a sick animal, an unpleasant rotten smell is emitted, which indicates the development of the disease, and also a specific brown exudate with an unpleasant smell is released.
• Mechanical injuries of the earlobe or ear canal. If the dog tilts its head, whines and shows concern, the cause may be a mechanical injury received by the animal during a fight with relatives.
• Foreign bodies that got into the ear or water ingress. The ingress of liquid into the area of ​​the ear canal causes unpleasant sensations in the pet, sometimes even causing pain. Trying to get rid of the discomfort, the dog shakes its head and ears. Water enters the ear when hygienic procedures are violated, during long walks in the rain, after swimming in a reservoir. The greatest danger for dogs' ears is sea and ocean water, as well as water saturated with various chemical elements. In order to eliminate the possibility of the development of discomfort in your pet after water procedures in the bathroom or after swimming in an open body of water, it is necessary to immediately soak the ear canal from excess moisture that has accumulated there.
• Tumors in the ears. When a dog's ear hurts and he shakes his head, the reason may lie not in ordinary otitis, but in a neoplasm. In clinical veterinary practice, growths on the inner part of the ear canal are diagnosed - papillomas, which provoke the beginning of narrowing of the canal. With late diagnosis and removal, the ear canal can be completely blocked. A serious danger lies in the fact that internal otitis, which develops, leads to inflammatory processes in the membranes of the brain and threatens a fatal outcome.
• Pathogenic bacterial and fungal microflora. Under physiological conditions, the ear canal of pets is inhabited by a large number of opportunistic microorganisms. This means that the dog's immunity, which is functioning normally, perfectly copes with various pathogenic factors, restraining the growth of microflora. When there are disturbances in the body, bacterial colonies begin to multiply actively, spreading over large areas, and cause an inflammatory process. Characteristic signs of bacterial otitis are that the dog shakes its head and scratches the affected ear, trying to get rid of the irritating factor. Untimely treatment leads to dangerous complications in the form of damage to the inner ear and inflammation of the meninges.
• Disorders in the dog's diet. The development of inflammatory processes in the ears is provoked by sweet dishes given to pets as an incentive, as well as smoked products. If a dog itches its ears, the cause may be food allergies, which provoke itching and further inflammation in the ear canal.
• Problems of the immune system. Autoimmune type diseases in some cases provoke vasculitis (inflammation in the vessels of the auricle). The cause of vasculitis can be frostbite, damage to the integrity of blood vessels as a result of insect bites, the aggressive effect of certain medicines, allergies, and damage by ticks. The dog's ears itch, he tries to scratch them, which leads to hemorrhages.
• Hematomas in the ear. The pathological process of this type provokes the development of characteristic otitis symptoms. Hematoma formation is provoked by injury or contusion of the auricle.

Disorders in the area of ​​the auricle or the head, united by a similar clinical picture of manifestations.

The resulting discomfort provokes the dog to start shaking its head and ears in an attempt to feel relief. In addition, signs of violations are:

• head tilts - the dog tries to reduce as much as possible the pressure that has appeared and the pain in the affected area;
• anxiety and nervousness of the pet - the dog cannot find a place and rest peacefully;
• characteristic shaking of the ears and tilting of the head;
• changes in the process of movement - the sick animal tilts its head in different directions while walking;
• the appearance of a repulsive smell from the ear canal;
• in case of development of otitis in the area of ​​the ear there is swelling and pronounced swelling;
• hyperemia and redness of the visible part of the auditory canal;
• the appearance of purulent exudate, transparent and liquid secretions containing blood fractions.

Having noticed in a dog one of the characteristic symptoms of otitis, described above, the owner should contact a veterinary clinic. This will make it possible not to miss the development of complications and save the life of your pet, relieving him of pain and discomfort.

How to help an animal

When contacting a qualified veterinary specialist, the animal is thoroughly diagnosed to establish the exact cause that provoked degenerative disorders in the animal's body.

Treatment will differ depending on the factors that provoked the pathological process in the body. A repulsive stench from the ear canal most often indicates bacterial or fungal otitis. Courses of antibiotics or antimycotic drugs are prescribed.

The dosage and duration of the treatment course is determined by a veterinary specialist. It is mandatory to take smears, which make it possible to determine the type of microflora that affected the ear canal. This makes it possible to determine the most sensitive antibiotic to pathogenic bacteria.

If the dog shakes its head due to otitis on the background of a food allergy, the veterinarian prescribes specific antihistamines that eliminate itching and discomfort, as well as drugs that make it possible to strengthen the body's defenses.

An important role is played by the correct diet for the patient, which makes it possible to minimize the risks of developing allergic reactions in the future.

The lack of timely treatment in advanced cases can lead to the death of the animal. Self-medication is unacceptable, as it rarely gives positive results, and can lead to complications. After self-medication, it is more difficult for the veterinarian to carry out diagnosis and therapy.

The appearance of characteristic signs of otitis is a reason to consult a qualified veterinarian. The sooner the treatment is started, the more favorable the prognosis for the disease.

Prevention methods

Methods of prevention of otitis and damage in the area of ​​the ear canal are reduced to timely examination and cleaning of the ears. It is important to carefully monitor the health of the pet's entire body.

For these purposes, it is recommended to conduct preventive examinations in the conditions of a veterinary clinic.

It is advisable to prevent communication of a domestic dog with homeless relatives or deliberately sick animals.

Special attention should be paid to the condition of the ears by the owners of dogs whose breed has long ears and thick fur.

It is necessary to regularly clean the ear canal from dirt, sebum and hair.

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