Idiopathic head tremors (IHT), or "head bobbing," frequently affect Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, and Labrador Retrievers. These often hereditary episodes usually occur in young to middle-aged dogs, manifesting as involuntary vertical or horizontal shaking while the dog remains fully conscious and alert.

Are some dog breeds more prone to head tremors?

Idiopathic head tremors are commonly seen in older dogs and some breeds are more susceptible than others such as boxer, spaniels, labrador retrievers, and bulldogs. Veterinary neurologists can only guess as to the causes of head tremors but some might be: Cerebellum, which controls coordination.

What triggers head tremors in dogs?

It can happen for a number of reasons, including seizures, nervous system issues, or head injuries. But when none of those things are happening, it's called 'idiopathic,' which basically means the cause is still a bit of a mystery. Head tremors have also been linked to a condition known as white dog shaker syndrome.

Which breed is most frequently described to present for idiopathic head tremors?

Young to middle-aged male and female dogs are most commonly affected. All dogs including mixed breed dogs have been seen with these tremors but Dobermans, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Boxers, and Labradors seem to be more commonly affected.

What is the prognosis for dogs with head tremors?

Two-thirds of dogs will experience a spontaneous improvement in the severity or frequency of episodes or complete resolution of episodes over time. Of the reported affected dogs, none died or were euthanized as a result of IHTS. In summary, IHTS is a benign condition resulting in focal head tremors in dogs.

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

How to calm head tremors in dogs?

Treating a dog shaking its head involves finding the root cause, which often requires a vet visit for infections (bacterial, yeast, mites), allergies, foreign objects, or wax buildup, leading to treatments like prescribed ear drops, oral antibiotics/antifungals, anti-inflammatories, allergy management (Apoquel, Cytopoint), or deeper ear cleaning. Prevention includes keeping ears dry and clean, especially after water exposure, using cotton balls during baths/swimming, and managing underlying allergies long-term. 

What triggers head tremors?

ET is the most common cause of head tremor. Cervical dystonia, or spasmodic torticollis, is another less common cause. Patients with Parkinson's disease can also develop head tremor. Dysfunction of circuits in the brain are thought to be the mechanism for essential tremor.

What is the life expectancy of a dog with tremors?

For Veterinarians

Affected puppies suffering from tremors have difficulties standing, moving, and eating. The condition is progressive and leads to seizures. The affected dogs are smaller in size than their unaffected littermates. The life expectancy of affected dogs is not likely to be over 3-4 months.

Do dogs grow out of idiopathic head tremors?

The cause of idiopathic head tremors is unknown, but thankfully, the condition usually resolves itself as the dog grows older.

What do head tremors in dogs look like?

What do the tremors looks like? During a tremor, the head shakes uncontrollably, sometimes up and down, sometimes side to side. Tremors usually last several minutes and can occur several times daily (in the majority of dogs), or just a couple of times a year.

How much head shaking is normal for a dog?

An occasional shake of one or two shakes is what we'd consider to be normal. However, if your dog is shaking their head a lot, and doing it persistently and vigorously, it's time to see your vet for a physical exam.

What triggers idiopathic head tremors in dogs?

There is no known cause for Idiopathic Head tremors, and it is considered idiopathic. Most neurologist don't believe this as a true seizure, but rather as a paroxysmal dyskinesia. Ideally, a complete neurologic evaluation and workup should be performed (e.g., CSF tap, MRI, blood work) to rule out other causes.

What dog breeds tremble?

You may hear this described as 'Little White Shaker Syndrome' because the condition is most common in small-breed white dogs, such as the Maltese, West Highland White Terrier, and Poodle. Although the condition is most common in dogs weighing less than 30 lbs., any color and size dog is susceptible to this condition.

What toxins cause head tremors in dogs?

Some common poisons that result in tremors include:

• Compost poisoning.
• Tremorgenic mycotoxins (found in moldy food or garbage)
• Prescription antidepressants.
• Prescription amphetamines (used for ADD/ADHD in humans)
• Snail and slug bait containing metaldehyde.
• Certain types of mouse and rat poison containing bromethalin.

Can anxiety cause head tremors in dogs?

As alluded to earlier, the term “idiopathic” means that there is no obvious cause for the tremors. However, some veterinary researchers believe these episodes are stress-related. Other studies propose that illness, various medications, heat cycles (in female dogs), and surgery may be triggers for head tremors.

What is the red flag for tremors?

Tremor red flags signaling a potentially serious underlying issue (like Parkinson's or cerebellar problems) include sudden onset, rapid worsening, unilateral (one-sided) presentation, age under 50 without family history, and the presence of other neurological symptoms like muscle stiffness, balance issues, slow movement (bradykinesia), speech changes (dysarthria), or cognitive/behavioral changes. These signs warrant immediate medical evaluation by a doctor or neurologist, as they suggest more than just benign essential tremor.

What is sundowning in dogs?

If you have an aging pet, you may have experience with sundowners, part of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), also called doggie dementia. Sundowners causes disorientation, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and other behavioral changes, and can be challenging for senior dogs' guardians to manage.

Is a head tremor serious?

Tremor is not life threatening, but it may cause challenges and even lead to disabilities. Tremor can make daily life tasks such as writing, typing, eating, shaving, and dressing more difficult. Common symptoms may include: Rhythmic shaking of the hands, arms, head, legs, or torso.

How to calm head tremors?

To control head tremor, turn your head to the side. To reduce tremors when you're using your hands, hold your elbows close to your body.

What deficiency causes head shaking?

Lack of Vitamin B12 can cause tremor symptoms. As I wrote in Part I of this series, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) developed a large following during the last three or four decades.

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