hi everyone,
i have a 7 1/2 year old cavalier male with no hx of serious health problems (occasional ear infections) but he has recently been diagnosed with a grade 2-3 heart murmur (what a surprise right )
i am currently away at school and my sister and mom really aren't the best at cleaning my dog's ears when i'm gone...since i'ts been like 3 weeks since i've been home, his ears weren't cleaned once and it was very wet and rainy pretty much thsi whole week so when i came home for the long weekend his right ear was inflamed and red and yeasty (poor thing). so, with the advice of the internal medicine vet that i work for, started him on mometamax (which seems to be helping, his ear is definitely not as red or inflamed anymore)
there's no blood or anything.
his appetite/drinking is normal, urinating/defecating normally, etc. he had bloodwork checked a few months ago and everything was normal. he had a dental performed in july with one extraction.
BUT starting yesterday, i noticed him having these head nodding/bobbing episodes of about MAYBE 5 seconds. it's very strange -- he snaps out of it when i distract him...and he doesn't have any neuro symptoms like nystagmus, head tilt, loss of balance, stumbling, droopy eyes, excessive drool or anything. he really seems fine other wise AND he doesn't seem to be in pain.
he isn't taking any other medications besides omega 3/6 capsules and monthly interceptor and frontline.
i did recently change his food from Holistic Select to Taste of the Wild.
at first i was suspecting maybe a middle/inner ear infection, but since he doesn't really have any head tilt my vet doesn't really suspect a deeper ear infection.
also, my vet doens't suspect SM since he doesn't have any severe neuro symptoms.
the internal medicine vet that i work with also said that an ear infection can definitel cause head bobbing/nodding.
i've done a little research online and discovered "idiopathic head bobbing syndrome" which is apparently common in english bulldogs and boxers?
also, i read that low blood sugar levels can sometimes cause this? he is usually without food for about 12 hours (fed in early morning and late at night) because my mom and sister are gone the whole time because of school, dance and work (mom has 3 jobs, sister is in school then dance all day)-- could this be causing his head bobbing?
anyone experience something like this with their own pets and can offer some insight?
vet did say that if his ear infection doesn't improve and he keeps head bobbing she thinks it's work it to do an inner ear examination and a neurologist consult (all of which i really can't afford but am so totally willing to do for my baby)
thanks everyone...i'm just so concerned about my little man
i have a 7 1/2 year old cavalier male with no hx of serious health problems (occasional ear infections) but he has recently been diagnosed with a grade 2-3 heart murmur (what a surprise right )
i am currently away at school and my sister and mom really aren't the best at cleaning my dog's ears when i'm gone...since i'ts been like 3 weeks since i've been home, his ears weren't cleaned once and it was very wet and rainy pretty much thsi whole week so when i came home for the long weekend his right ear was inflamed and red and yeasty (poor thing). so, with the advice of the internal medicine vet that i work for, started him on mometamax (which seems to be helping, his ear is definitely not as red or inflamed anymore)
there's no blood or anything.
his appetite/drinking is normal, urinating/defecating normally, etc. he had bloodwork checked a few months ago and everything was normal. he had a dental performed in july with one extraction.
BUT starting yesterday, i noticed him having these head nodding/bobbing episodes of about MAYBE 5 seconds. it's very strange -- he snaps out of it when i distract him...and he doesn't have any neuro symptoms like nystagmus, head tilt, loss of balance, stumbling, droopy eyes, excessive drool or anything. he really seems fine other wise AND he doesn't seem to be in pain.
he isn't taking any other medications besides omega 3/6 capsules and monthly interceptor and frontline.
i did recently change his food from Holistic Select to Taste of the Wild.
at first i was suspecting maybe a middle/inner ear infection, but since he doesn't really have any head tilt my vet doesn't really suspect a deeper ear infection.
also, my vet doens't suspect SM since he doesn't have any severe neuro symptoms.
the internal medicine vet that i work with also said that an ear infection can definitel cause head bobbing/nodding.
i've done a little research online and discovered "idiopathic head bobbing syndrome" which is apparently common in english bulldogs and boxers?
also, i read that low blood sugar levels can sometimes cause this? he is usually without food for about 12 hours (fed in early morning and late at night) because my mom and sister are gone the whole time because of school, dance and work (mom has 3 jobs, sister is in school then dance all day)-- could this be causing his head bobbing?
anyone experience something like this with their own pets and can offer some insight?
vet did say that if his ear infection doesn't improve and he keeps head bobbing she thinks it's work it to do an inner ear examination and a neurologist consult (all of which i really can't afford but am so totally willing to do for my baby)
thanks everyone...i'm just so concerned about my little man