Why does a dog shake its head and scratch its ears?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Many animal lovers cannot imagine their life without a pet. Someone loves parrots, someone loves cats, some even love spiders and snakes. Most often, however, dogs are bred. This is due to the fact that these animals are considered human friends, have a good character, protect their owners and bring a lot of joy to adults and children. However, in addition to positive emotions, dog owners often face various kinds of diseases of their pet. Many of the owners of these animals do not understand why the dog shakes his head and scratches his ears. We need to figure out if the owners should be worried about this.

Why does a dog shake its head and ears?

What to do when a pet gets sick? Many pet owners experience their dog shaking his head and scratching his ears. Of course, every owner worries about this, so it’s worth figuring out what caused this phenomenon and whether you can somehow cure your dog.

It must be said that practicallyall dogs shake their heads and ears after sleep, but every owner should know when this phenomenon may be a reason to go to the veterinarian. So, every dog has a small amount of sulfur in their ears, but the appearance of an unpleasant odor is a deviation from the normal state of he alth of the pet.

If you notice that your pet is shaking its head and ears very strongly and often, you should check for signs of dog ear disease.

Signs of illness that indicate your dog's ear condition

If your dog is shaking his head and scratching his ears, check for these signs of illness:

1. If a dog scratches its ears very often and also shakes its head a lot, this is the very first and most common sign of your pet's ear disease.
2. If you notice that your pet is drooping down on the side of his head where he constantly scratches his ears, this is also a reason to go to the vet.
3. Take a good look at your pet's ear. If your dog has dark red-brown sulfur deposits in his ear, then your pet is most likely suffering from an ear disease.
4. One of the signs of ear disease is an unpleasant smell from this organ.
5. The presence of swelling and fever in the ear canal and dangling part of the ear is also a cause for concern.

If your dog often shakes his head and scratches his ears, and after checking it, you found one of the signsear disease, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible!

Causes of your dog's ear problems

Every owner needs to know what causes his dog's disease. All possible reasons why a dog shakes its head and scratches its ears should be considered.

1. Ear mites. It is these parasites that live inside the ear of a pet that can cause severe irritation, which leads to discomfort. For these reasons, the pet always wants to scratch the ear, damaging its tissues. It is important that very often other pets - cats - become the source of this infection. Therefore, the veterinarian should examine not only your dog, but also the cat.
2. Fungal or yeast infection. It leads to the fact that a red-brown discharge appears in the dog's ear, as well as an unpleasant odor. With this condition of the dog's ear, you should immediately consult a veterinarian.
3. Ingress of foreign objects. It often happens that after a walk the dog shakes its head and scratches its ears. This is due to the fact that a seed, a stalk of grass, etc. can get into them. In this case, you should not try to remove a foreign object from the dog's ear yourself. It is best to seek help from a veterinarian.
4. Various allergies, as well as skin diseases, can cause a dog to shake its head and ears. The owner of a sick animal should contact a veterinarian who will determine the diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
5. Bacterial infections can also becomecausing your pet's ear disease.
6. There is another reason why a dog scratches his ear and shakes his head and whines. This may be due to the characteristics of the breed: the long and hanging ears of the pet do not have good enough ventilation. Also, another feature of the breeds is the excessive amount of wool in the ear canals. This can lead to the retention of sulfur secretions in the ears of the animal, which leads to inflammation of the dog's ear.

Should I go to the vet?

So now you know why your dog is constantly scratching his ears and shaking his head. Now you need to figure out how you can cure your pet of the disease. However, do not forget that any ailment of your pet requires an accurate diagnosis. Only a veterinarian can do this, so it's best not to be guided by your intuition, but simply to turn to professionals who will help return your dog to his former he althy life.

What can cause a late visit to the veterinarian?

If you suspect your pet is ill, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible, as a dog's ear condition can deteriorate quickly. Because of this, your pet will experience severe pain and discomfort, and its treatment will be many times more expensive.

Due to constant and severe ear pain, your dog can become too aggressive, which can lead to disastrousconsequences.

The dog scratches his ear and shakes his head. How to treat and is it worth doing it yourself?

Ear disease in pets is quite common. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog is scratching his ears and shaking his head. The doctor will prescribe the treatment, depending on what caused the discomfort, pain and inflammation of the pet's ear. It is best not to take any measures to treat the dog yourself, because you can aggravate an already painful condition.

Every owner should know what to do when his dog shakes his head and scratches his ears. How to treat a pet disease?

1. The first thing to know is that you shouldn't treat your dog yourself!
2. If after going to the vet you find out that your pet has an ear mite, don't panic, because now you know why the dog scratches his ears and shakes his head. Treating your pet's ear disease may require drugs that kill these parasites.
3. If bacteria is causing your dog's itching and discomfort, your veterinarian should prescribe antibiotics.
4. If after examining your pet it becomes known that there is a foreign object in his ear, sedative medications or local anesthesia may be needed to remove it.

Now you know how to treat your dog's ear condition. This is to ensure that an inexperienced veterinarian does not harm your pet.

What to do if the dog's ear disease is related to their shape?

But it is worth remembering that there is another reason why the dog shakes his head and scratches his ears. How to treat bacterial, yeast infections, etc., you already know. But what if the discomfort and pain is caused by the shape of your dog's ears?

In this case, you need to properly and regularly care for your pet. To do this, you will need to regularly cut the hair in the ear canal. Also, do not forget to clean the auricle at least once a week with a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide. Always brush your dog's ears well to prevent tangles.

How to deal with a dog that suffers from ear disease?

It is worth remembering that a dog that is in pain and constant discomfort can be irritated and aggressive. In this regard, it is necessary to try not to hurt the dog when examining its ears. However, if you notice that your pet has already become too aggressive, you should not touch his ear at all. It is best to contact a veterinarian who will examine your pet, make a diagnosis and prescribe the necessary drugs necessary for your pet's recovery.

If your dog is shaking his head and ears, contact your veterinarian immediately and do not self-medicate. Then your pet will again become he althy, cheerful and will again bring you positiveemotions!