why does my dog shake it's head every so often? Could it be an ear infection?

Answer 1

He could have something in his ear such as a foxtail, depending on where you live and how much he plays outside. But my first guess would be the beginning of an infection. We have a Basset Hound and this happens alot. He may start scratching at it too, so I would have him checked out. We use fairly inexpensive drops in Quincy's ears regularly and they work great. But Bassets can have ear problems more than some other breeds can. But go ahead and get him checked, because it really ISN'T that common for a dog to shake his head that often.

Answer 2

Most likely it is an ear infection. That's usually one of the signs, along with a fowl odor and wax build up. It is prominent in breeds with very hairy ears and/or bigger, floppy ears. If the ears are hairy, try plucking the hair out and getting an ear cleaner from the pet store. Do not use soap and water, alcohol, or peroxide...basically anything wet. This WILL lead to a yeast infection in their ear. If it doesn't stop, take it to the vet for cleaning, which is relatively cheap.

Answer 3

Most K-9's need Regular Ear Cleaning anyway!(That could be the reason for the head shaking!)
Use Cotton roll and some warm water!
I Think there's also an Animal Ear Cleaning solution-Maybe Petsmart.

Answer 4

First, go buy some regular dog ear cleaner instead of using rubbing alcohol. Pour the cleaner into the ears, use a lot of it, and massage the base of the ear for a minute or two. Then let the dog shake her head, and wipe everything out with dry cotton balls. Next, put the medication in, try to get it as deep into the ear canal as you can. If they didn't give you Otomax, go back and ask for it, that works the best. Clean and medicate the ears 2-3 times per day until it clears up. Don't let your dog swim or bathe her until the infection is gone; water in the ears can make it ten times worse. In the future, make sure after she swims you flush her ears out with cleaner, let them dry out for a minute, and follow up with some ear powder (cleaner and powder are available at any petstore). Also, be careful not to get water in her ears when you bathe her, and flush her ears after baths and powder them too. If she goes to a groomer, ask them to put cotton in her ears or not wash her head at all. You should keep flushing her ears out 1-2 times per week even when the infection is gone. Goldens are very prone to these infections and it's not uncommon for them to be hard to cure.

Answer 5

My lab used to shake her head uncontrollably. I didn't know what was wrong with her. I asked her vet and he said that if she swims a lot she could get water in her ears and is trying to get it out or it could be ear mites or an ear infection! i don't know what kind of dog you have but just thought it could help!

Answer 6

It could be a number of things. Has your dog had its ears cleaned lately? If not, then clean them out and see if this helps. If your dog's ear smells badly, then you should take him to the vet. This would be a clear sign of an infection or ear mites.

Answer 7

If the dog's ear is stinky (I mean really stinky, not just smelling like a dog's ear) and has got a brownish thick goop in it, then it IS an infection and you need to see a vet.

Answer 8

Ocassionally might not be a problem, but often it's usually Ear mites, possibly fleas or ticks. Not a good sign, and they can break a blood vessel in the ear, shaking like that.

Answer 9

I say take him to the Vet. It could be and infection or maybe ear mites.... Either way he needs to get checked

Answer 10

He may have dirty ears or a tick in there, I have 2 beagles when they do that it usually means their ears need a cleaning ... be careful when you do it, maybe have the vet show you how and give you the solution for cleaning.