Idiopathic Head Tremors - Why is my dog's head shaking?

[@theaprilbaby87]

My valley bulldog did this tonight. Scared the life out of me.

[@ItwasnotLando]

Scared the shit out of me my dog was sleeping and woke up and started shaking her head out of no where. I just said her name and she snapped out of it, but very scary.

[@jacquelinemcnaughton1824]

Oh my god I’m literally watching this video right now because my dog did this tonight too! I got so scared and panicked. I’m still going to take her to the vet this week, but this video helped me feel way less panicked

[@roodick85]

​@@jacquelinemcnaughton1824 any updates on the visit? Our 4 year old is doing the same

[@jacquelinemcnaughton1824]

@@roodick85 I took her to the vet and he looked at her and I showed him videos of her tremors and they took a blood sample to rule anything out. Essentially she was fine, all her blood tests and reflex tests, her eyes responded normally. The vet said if anything it was good to check and now it's in her file incase anything escalates then he would recommend a neurologist but he didn't think it was necessary at this point. However I also stopped feeding her chicken because we had a suspicion she was allergic before this and she had eaten chicken the night of the head tremors, and since being off chicken she hasn't had any since (she's also not had any stomach or eye issues like she did before so I'm definitely thinking a chicken allergy might have had some hand in the tremors as well). Now she's spoiled and gets fish as a treat lol

[@kellyyeates1802]

Apparently it's typical for bully and boxer breeds mine has started too, I'm worries it's stress induced as she hates travelling in car.

[@Splatterpunk_OldNewYork]

I thought that my two and a half year old beagle was just excited when she was begging for a treat, but this is day two of this behaviour.

[@szyszynka1189]

Thank you for this video. I’m googling in the middle of the night because my boxer was shaking her head while falling asleep. I will do more research tomorrow!

[@jillbrooks91]

I’m so glad I found this video! Literally just found it on Google while one of my dogs was in the middle of an episode, though not the first one ever, but I was amazed at how just simply calling his name pulled him out of the tremors! I have two English Bulldog/Pitbull mixes and I’m so relieved to learn this is actually quite common for their breed 😮‍💨

[@aliciabays2859]

My black lab mix started doing this in May of this year and I’ve noticed it, then today she was just laying down and her head was shaking and I was calling her name and telling her she was okay and that I love her, it scares me to see her go through that.

[@melanycastillo3976]

Have you gotten her to the vet? My lab mix with border collie has experienced this twice now

[@forgttnhrt]

My senior doberman mix has been demonstrating exactly this for a few days now (I've noticed it off an on before). He already had a routine vet appt scheduled so I will ask then. Just wanted to thank you for this video it was VERY helpful and your explanation was so concise and clear. Thank you!

[@razanbshara2385]

My dog is shih tzu and started getting them at age 13/14 . His vet could help us in this regard. Thank God they stopped recently . He is almost 16

[@tayloredlivingcoaching]

What did the vet say it was? My shih tzu mix is around 14. Vet didn't really say much about it.

[@michelleflynn7485]

My shih poo has head twitches now. She is 15. How did the vet help?

[@cahyjohnson3871]

@@michelleflynn7485 Is your pup still having these and do they upset her? My Shih Tzu started having these last week. I’m so upset because she doesn’t want to stay upright for more than five minutes. Not sure if they’re making her dizzy. Thank you in advance for anything you can tell me. Cathy

[@cahyjohnson3871]

My Shih Tzu is 13 and just started having these. They seem to really bother her. She lies down right afterwards. Since they’re happening g all the time she doesn’t want to stand or sit anymore. I’m devastated. Did they just stop suddenly in your pup? Any info is helpful. Thank you, Cathy

[@lisaa1477]

Great info! My Olde English Bulldog started his at 6 months old. Very scary to see but luckily my vet recognized what it was and calmed me down. Thanks for this video!

[@rodrigodias3878]

This happens to my frenche every time he eats chicken. He has chicken allergy. We stoped giving chicken, more than 3 year whitdouth idiopathic head tremors.

[@HairyBear555]

This happened for the first time to our 1 year old Dachshund today. Absolutely terrifying to witness. We rushed her straight to the vet, general obs and bloods were taken. We were called later on and told everything had come back as normal but to call again if the episodes continued. After researching it and watching videos of other dogs having these episodes, we're 99% convinced this is what it is. She is fully alert when the termours start and they seem be to be trigured by stress. Its been an incrediblh stressful few days with my partner giving birth to our first human baby. Its been very busy and stressful and we've read that stress can cause these tremours to start. We'll keep an eye on her but this informatiuon is very helpful and people posting videos of their pets going through this ordeal has been very helpful in giving us some peace of mind. So far the episodes have lasted between 5 - 15 or so minutes. We've been advised to use things like licking mats with things like liver paste as licking is a great way to relieve a stressed pup.

[@thebewitchinghour831]

@0:41 displays exactly what our Basenji mix use to do. He had 9 breeds in him and yes one of the breeds was Boxer. I video taped him, Googled it, KZbin searched it and nobody seemed to have any information on this occurrence or even know what we were talking about. He passed in 2020 so this particular video hadn't been made yet. He would come out of the shaking and just get up and have more energy than he did before it started. He was coherent and looking at me but he had no desire to get up and roam around at all until it was done.

[@Lcchicken]

My dog did this in the morning of day. It scared me so so bad. I was about to leave the house at about 9:40 this morning, he is a husky chow mix. I called his name and he just sat there. I came over and started petting him. That when He stopped. It happened 3 times this morning!

[@firmbutton6485]

Thanks for the advice. My flat coat started this today, he can be distracted out of it. I will Keep an eye on it.

[@catsarethekewlest]

Incredible video thank you so much

THANK YOU. Because I got seriously scared when my French Bulldog did exactly that for the first time and got even more afraid because now it happened for the second time. So, couple of times in one month. By the way, both those times she was exposed to much higher than usual level of excitement/noise/physical activity. Her sensory/nervous system was probably overloaded.

[@DerekandCheyTravels]

My frenchie just did this for the first time 2 days ago. Scared the absolute life out of me because I thought he was going into a seizure out of literally nowhere 😭 this comment helped settle my heart a little bit!

[@lukezoldowski2221]

My catahoula bulldog has had these very occasionally the last 3 years since I got her. Very scary before knowing what was happening but usually just get her jazzed up to do some tricks for treats and it goes away pretty quick.

[@charnecronje]

My english bulldog also gets them, but since we figured out what causes hers (which was/is apples), we havent given her a slice of apple again and the head tremors have been gone completely now for 2years.

[@chrislopez8652]

Just wanted to say thank you for posting your comment. I have a 3 year old boxer and he is a blessing to our family. He experienced a head tremor today when he woke up from his nap, it was very mild. I immediately looked this up on KZbin and this was the first video that popped up, when I was done watching the video I went to the comments and yours was the first one. I was shocked because when I read yours and you mentioned that you stop giving your dog apples, I remembered giving mine a piece of apple about an hour earlier. Thanks again. God works and mysterious ways.

[@simonfryer6075]

This is crazy , my Frenchy had one this morning … never before … he had Apple a night ago and he never eats apples …. Great info

[@miguelperez9695]

Same here my wife gave our 3 years old boxer green apple and caused the tremors the next day after her nap . We don’t give her apples and She no longer has tremors .

[@JaymalielGargar]

Thank you for this.

[@nicolebrilho7439]

Thank you so much I really appreciate it now I Can relax and I don’t need to worry about it thank you 😊 ❤❤❤

[@Dezthray]

Mines back at it again, only this time he was very snippy and bit at me. Super shocking, but it goes away.

[@getnoob7659]

My dog is doing this right now

[@Michelle-oe7vr]

My 8 year old Cavalier king charles spaniel has been doing this lately but seems fine, so this is comforting , however will visit the vet anyway.

[@laurasawyertruell6181]

Thanks! Great information!

[@germangardyn256]

My American bulldog has idiopathic head tremors. Has had them all his life. He doesn’t seem to care at all and is healthy otherwise. We get his bloodwork done every 6 months and have a health check up.

[@stinemathildefagerli9257]

"Pet parent"❤❤❤

[@PityMauArt]

Thank you so much for this informative video! This just happened to my dog and it's 1am and there's no 24/7 vet clinics around, it scared me so much. Looking for info I saw lots of full body shaking dogs and it wasnt like what just happened to my dog so I was getting even more nervous ;; she also acted like nothing was happening it was so confusing. I'm still taking her to the vet as soon as I find one open but at least this will allow me to be slightly more calm

[@rushc5]

My lab mix has them. He doesn’t get too distracted out of them OUTSIDE of me realizing just the other day that as soon as he starts licking me he stops right away.

[@katdeville]

I have found that IHT is not uncommon in bully breeds. My girl, a Staffy (not AmStaff) mix started getting them about a year after I adopted her. It seemed a bit too coincidental to me that the tremors began after enduring treatment for heartworms. The first episode caused a major panic attack in me. I thought it was a seizure, but realised only her head was shaking. She was very scared, as was I. I can't remember how long it went on, but a few months later, I discovered what snaps her out of it. It usually happens when she's lying down, so if I say something that makes her get up quickly, it halts the tremor. If that doesn't work, I grab a small treat and toss it in the air. The quick motion will also usually stop the tremor. My girl (and I) is a lot calmer now when it happens. She understands that it's temporary and everything will be okay. At this point, I'm almost convinced it is a neurological issue in the neck.

[@jenniferclark5094]

I didnt make the heartworm connection but it’s interesting. I adopted an Olde English Bulldogge/American Bulldog mix from Texas & he had just received heartworm meds. He suffers from these tremors every few months now. His longest episode yet was yesterday at 8 minutes long.

[@annad6519]

I don’t know if this is a coincidence but my dog (5yo female ridgeback/bullmastiff) had this after having Nextguard Spectra the day prior (covers worms, fleas etc). She has been taking it for months without issues, so I did not think that it was related. Now, I’m curious if anyone else noticed any links in their pups?

[@rodrigodias3878]

This happens to my frenche every time he eats chicken. He has chicken allergy. We stoped giving chicken, more than 3 year whitdouth idiopathic head tremors.

[@kaikrawutzel]

Yes, spot on: my - most likely - basset hound and terrier plus x stray dog mutt from Romania has gone through quite a few episodes roughly after turning four around this time last year. What I noticed is that these episodes occur in clusters of daily tremors for a few days and then absolutely none for weeks before recurring for another daily series of episodes and so forth. Has anybody ever had the same experience with their dog?

[@brandonhawkinson85]

If your pup is on a flee medication this could be the cause. Sounds like that might align with a monthly dose

[@maryalice0790]

My dog has these every once in a while.

[@boogiegotguns]

‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️change your dogs food if they get head tremors ‼️‼️‼️ subscribe if this helps

[@gh_007]

I think my dog started these in the last week. I’ve noticed it 4 times now, twice today. But I’m not sure if it’s exactly this. He’s a nearly 12 yr old Pomeranian, very healthy and still very active. Each time it’s lasted just a second or two. The first time I saw it out the side of my eye while I was filling his food bowl. He slipped a bit on the stone floor and I thought he was just stretching his back legs, and that’s why his head bobbed very slightly and slipped (he does this often). I think it’s happened when he’s anticipating a treat or food. And it’s so brief I haven’t had time to grab my phone to film. And he returns to his normal still/movements before I can distract him or call his name. We had a gas leak I’ve been complaining about for weeks and finally the gas company was called, over 10 leak points detected and gas shut off. This forced the landlord to hire a plumber to fix the issue within 24 hrs (it’s dipping into the teens at night here), and I’m waiting for the HVAC professional to come clean out the furnace vent because I’m also smelling exhaust whenever the furnace runs. I’m hoping my dog wasn’t poisoned by this event. Can a gas leak be a cause? And is it reversible? What other damage should I look for?

[@SEVNeurology]

Hi Grace, thank you for your comment. We are so sorry to hear your pet is going through this. Unfortunately, in order to give clinical advice, our Neurologist would need to evaluate a pet through a consultation. At that time, treatment options and recovery could be discussed. We are here for you if you need us. To find a location near you visit us online at sevneurology.com.

[@jvfnf6165]

My boy just started doing this and it scared the shit out of me . But I pet him or call him and he stops I feel like it happens wen he's really tired

[@Legelber]

I rescued a French Bulldog in April. He's about 3 he was very thin and heartworm positive. He has tremors once in a while. Otherwise he's fine.

[@Wyldfaeart]

Ty for this I don’t have that breed but it’s what my dog does lasts about 5 seconds tops and can be distracted out of it. We are seeing a vet.

[@emmapuc7261]

Our Doberman is doing this & when she does this her sister starts going off. Gonna get her tested. She’s not a yr yet but wanna try to get her help before it gets worst

[@nenadmladenovic2094]

Great informations like always and brilliant Dr.Wong.

[@rushc5]

Towards the end of the video you say they aren’t from low calcium, but earlier in the video you mention vets test for low calcium. So which would it be?

[@adrianpennington9533]

Surely continuous head shaking nodding causes some for of damage?

[@mbouchard62]

Thank you

[@melaniehurst554]

Is it possible to be a seizure even if they’re still conscious

[@blakeyyy3562]

my boxer has these things every now and then. his are side to side and are pretty short. they just come on randomly for like a minute to a couple minutes at most. he doesn't like it when it happens though he usually go's over to my mom who is his favorite person and just sits for a minute till they go away then he's just on with his day. don't panic people when this happens with your dog cause it is really freaky the first time it happens. just comfort them cause my dog definitely gets nervous when it happens cause he doesn't know why his head is shaking.

[@sojumoscow]

My dog have exactly like this, so the treatment is like distracting them and will go on its own?

[@rxn_wxth_scxssxrs_]

mmy dog is a mutt, he's got some border collie, Pyrenees, and I highly suspect he has boxer or pitty in him. his head was shaking yesterday and I'm taking him to the vet next week, I also took a video of the tremor. he'd never done it before, and right before it happened he was sitting next to me while I was folding laundry, he was chewing a bone. He didn't lose consciousness and it stopped once I asked him if he was okay. I really hope it isn't anything serious...

[@jennifermourato2902]

Great info!! Thank you for sharing this and making me more knowledgable of this. My 2 year old English Bulldog just had an episode this morning and lasted about 15 minutes of just the head shaking. She was alert and I sent the Emergency vet a video, they called it a seizure. I have bloodworm appointment for her and I am going to ask them if it could be this considering she was fully alert, responsive to stimuli and could be distracted by calling her name which lessened the tremors. THANK YOU FOR THIS A BUNCH!!!!

[@DaveSinclairMedia]

Very helpful thank you ,🙏🐾

[@SemperGumbi0369]

I've had many Bullies over the years and i've only seen this twice.. distract your baby the best ya can with a treat or a toy.. I've videoed mine before for my vet but have found that it's a phase they grow out of.. but it is scary.. your bully will grow past it!

[@jeankennett1628]

My Boxer/ pit mix started having these at 9 years old. Is exactly like you describe. He is conscious. He comes to me and wants comfort. It wears off by itself and he goes back to acting normal. I m wondering if they tend to come on as they get older? I ve had him 7 and a half years. Just started last Dec. thanks

[@darleenmiller8427]

Hello you mentioned that this typical runs in the breeds you mentioned. Is it possible that it could run in Corgis? I have been to the vet and have she has had a full work up, blood work, urine analysis, X-rays, and everything appears to be okay. My vet thinks these are head tremors. My Corgi does more of the bobbing of the head up and down. She does this a few times a day and it have been going on for over a month. I am able to distract her when she does it and she snaps out of it, like you mention. She is acting fine, eating fine. She is 13. Ty

[@nievee5981]

They also happen to daushauds too

[@tal_ru]

I apologize for the length... I know it doesn't replace an appointment with the vet, knowledge always helps me deal with things. It happens to my dog from time to time, it started in the last few years and now it happened to him 3 times in a period of months, usually there is a gap between the cases (but I may have missed it). My dog is a Canaanite shepherd mix. Unfortunately, the vet created a label around him that many things are related to mental illness. As the owner of my dog, he does have anxiety issues but I feel it is unrelated and I think it is always best to rule out a physical problem first, as well as his worsening skin issues. I am now looking for another vet. Until then, I'm open to advice, what is the length of time when the shaking is considered long? What is the frequency and should you write down how often it happens? My dog is 10.5 years old so could this make it worse or put him at risk? Should you be careful of certain situations that can cause it or add to it?

[@daphnehapne788]

My bully xl is doing this and it’s scares me to death

[@deepakkashyap9326]

Can head tremors occur in labradors?

[@cal7281]

my dog just started having these and then having seizures got diognosed with this 😔

[@jenpotatooo7750]

Hello! If anyone sees my comment please let me know/understand why my 2 month old pup has head tremors after he finishes eating :( My baby's a Maltese.

[@livinglifeleona]

He’s allergic to something in the food. Some dogs are allergic to certain meats or vegetables, etc

[@DizzyIsloading]

Thank you 😥

[@taponchakma1542]

what is treatment for head tremors in dogs, please?

[@Texas_Holdin]

None

[@emmalouise1041]

My puppy had a very similar on and off episode lasting approx 3 minutes. No nystagmus, no loss of consciousness. Recently seen 5 days ago for broken leg and vaccines. He was laying down right when they started. He didn’t seem confused. Called the vet, and thinks is a benign issue. We are very concerned and believe it was most likely an idiopathic head tremor. He is a Jack Russell unknown mix 8 months old. Should we do genetic testing? And should we look into blood testing?

[@IMTinaMarieJ]

Look into vestibular disease. My puppy just started doing having this head shake and staggering like a drunk person so I did a lot of research & it’s points to vestibular disease. Taking her to the vet in the morning to rule out anything serious

[@rickcollins9275]

@@IMTinaMarieJ hope it wasn’t anything serious did you find out what it was ?

[@NightOwlGames]

my husky freaking me out! hes just vomitted, he comes to me and stares while swaying his head side to side like an owl ive hugged him petted him he seems flinchy? this isnt normal for him hes acting strange :(

[@albertoeinstein4962]

Did u figure out what was wrong

[@amywentzel4214]

Our dog started having head tremors 3 nights ago. The first 24 hours we saw 15. The next 24 hours, 2 and the 3rd 24 hours, 2. Currently undergoing testing (bloodwork was fine, his Dr. Is rechecking in 10 days before considering an CT scan). The description in the video matches his entirely, with the exception that he has them in his sleep in addition to being relaxed. Should I wake him when he is having one? When I do he seems annoyed with me and refuses to sleep in the same room with me afterwards! I check on him frequently during the night, I am just concerned letting him have the head tremors without helping him out of it. I guess the same concern goes for when he is home alone. Thank you in advance for your response. I will adjust any direction you give if a reason for the tremors is found, for now I strongly believe they are IHT.

[@albertoeinstein4962]

What was wrong with your dog

[@haleyhupp269]

Im pretty sure my pitbull has these

[@addisonlikesgenshin309]

omfg thank you so much

[@docholiday2538]

My lab is going through heartworm treatment and he has been having head shakes just like this. Can it be bc of the heartworms?

[@docholiday2538]

My vet said he "thinks" it is but he's not sure. Can anybody please refer me to something I can show to my vet to help us.... Please

[@sandradawson9669]

@@docholiday2538 I believe when there stressed or in pain they can start. Mine had ear infection cleared it and the IHT were gone. It’s stressful for them and you. Stay calm.

[@docholiday2538]

@@sandradawson9669 thanks for your concern, sadly he has passed away now. But my belgian malinois who also was going through heartworm treatment made out great

[@annad6519]

@@docholiday2538 oh my gd 💔. So sorry.

[@annad6519]

What was the active ingredient in the heart worming treatment? My dog (5 yo ridgeback/mastiff) had this the day after having worming and a flea tablet (NextguardSpectra), but I didn’t think of a possible link because she’s been having it for months. Now I am wondering if she’s had the head-bopping episodes when I was not home .. and missed them 😮.

[@stephaniebaga7343]

Is it normal when my dog asleep?

[@SEVNeurology]

Hello Stephanie. Unfortunately, in order to determine if the tremors are normal, our Neurologist requires that pets be seen for a thorough workup. We are here for you if you need us. sevneurology.com

[@virgounapologetic]

I have a plotthound and he does it. And I hate it

[@backwoods4x4jason13]

How about pitbulls

[@Germankid17]

My dog is dead it a German Shepherd

[@crazylady61]

No vet ever mentions that toxins from over vaccination can also cause idiopathic head tremors...it seems a taboo subject 😢

[@SEVNeurology]

I wouldn't say that it's 'taboo' so much as there's no evidence to support this theory.

[@chefswifelifecharityfarms2598]

& that because there has been no testing past 3 years so rabies vax they get their whole life yet no research supports what it does to them over a long term use so your right no one wants to do the research

[@annad6519]

Maybe it’s a positive that we have anti-vaxxers. Natural selection for the dim, but it’s a shame you can never find them employed on the frontlines.

[@dougg1075]

My hunting beagle started doing this a few days after vaccine boosters for rabies , heart worms and whatever else he got. He’s two and has never done this before.