Why is my basset hound constantly shaking his head?

Answer 1

It's possible that something is lodged in your dog's ear(s) or he may have an ear infection.

Basset Hounds are prone to ear infections because they have such long and heavy ears which can trap and retain dirt and moisture. One of the signs of an ear infection is head shaking. There are also other signs. Here's a good article about ear infections that lists additional signs: http://www.just-basset-hounds.com/basset-hound-yeast-ear-infection.html

I would recommend that you promptly contact your veterinarian about the problem so that you can get a proper diagnosis and treatment if needed.

One of the best things that you can do to prevent ear problems in Basset Hounds is to inspect and clean the ears at least once per week. Here's a good article about Basset Hound ear care: http://www.just-basset-hounds.com/basset-hound-ear-care.html

Answer 2

It could be fleas or an ear infection, which basset's are prone to. Also, could be ear mites, but on the other hand, I have a basset/lab mix, and she doesn't have any of these problems, and she shakes her head back and forth like that too, mostly when she's excited or when she first wakes up, so maybe it's just a basset quirk. Good luck, I had a basset growing up and she was a great dog (I don't remember if she did the head shake thing).

Answer 3

Its a common thing that needs a cure.If the wax in its ears is dark brown & has an odor,,it will need medicine drops from the vet & an ear cleaning solution.Follow the dirrects but clean ear first,,have the vet show you how to lift the ear properly to swab as to not puncture the eardrum. Uaually its the floppy eared dogs that have this problem because the ear canal is narrow & not getting enough air in the ears.Too warm a house can cause this also. Being outdoors more can help but not cure without the med drops & cleaning often.

Answer 4

I am betting it is either ear mites, or an ear infection that looks like ear mites, too. What happens is this: dogs with pert, upright ears get lots of air in there, but dogs with droopie ears do not. The warm,moist area in the earrs is a breeding ground for mites and infections. It will look like someone smeared a fudge brownie in there, and sometimes it smells badly. When it gets bad, you can hear fluid when it shakes its head. You can take a cotton ball and put your finger in just a bit to see if you get any brown gunk out. The vet has good drops for this, and quite cheaply. Over-the-counter ear drops are available, but there are different types of infections that will not respond to a generic chemical.

Answer 5

Probably has an ear infection. Dogs with long hangy down ears are more prone to infections, especially if some water gets into their ears. Air can't get in there to help dry the ears and that makes a perfect breeding ground for yeast.
Take him to the vet.

Answer 6

basset hounds have very heavy ears and it get hot under there. they tend to get ear mites real easy take it the vet and they will give you drops to put in its ears for about a week or so and that will clear them up. and ya they will return. just make sure you keep its ears clean . get a old rag and clean them out with alcohol or warm water. get a was down in there. mites kinda look like black coffee. there yucky..when you clean them and see blackish coffee looking stuff you can pretty will but its ear mites. good luck i hope i have helped...

Answer 7

He might have an ear infection or ear mites. This sounds gross but if he has a strange smell coming from his ears most likely its mites. You need to check and see if there are any black marks at the opening of his ears. Take him to a local feed store, they should be able to identify and give meds as needed.

Answer 8

Check his ears, it's possible he got something caught in them (like foxtails, or other weeds) but if these have made it all the way into the canal, it's likely a vet will need to remove them to prevent damage. Ear infection is also possible, or even ear mites. The mites particularly if he is scratching as well.

Answer 9

I would check his ears, there may be some wax that needs to be cleaned out. I have 3 bassets, and one is a drool-slinger and he shakes his head to loosen the "drool" and send it flying.

Answer 10

Either his ears are dirty, or he has ear mites. Take a large cotton ball and swipe just inside his ear with it. If it is comes out brown, his ears are dirty, if it comes out with black goo and or some blood, and has a ronchie odor, he has ear mites. Your local pet store should have cleaning solution, and ear mite solution. If you are not comfortable w/ sticking anything in his ears, rub his ears at the base, and if you can hear sloshing, I would take him to the vet and have him clean out the ears. Good luck holding him still!