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My Year Old American Bulldog/ English Bulldog Mix Recently Experienced Some Involuntary Head Shaking. Not Ear Infection Type Almost Like A Person With Parkinson's Disease. Is There Canine Parkinson's? Has This Happened To Any Other Dogs?

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Anonymous answered
It could be so many different things, but or course it's our nature to jump to the worst scenario...  bear in mind that it might be nothing more than a little bit of ear moisture or a yeast infection bothering (her?)... Sometimes when dogs get a slight tickle sensation in their ear they shake it very gently-which look like they aren't sure or aware of what they're doing... If her ears smell off or feel damp and wet inside that could be all it is..... BUT it does sound a lot like "idiopathic head bobbing syndrome", seen most commonly in bulldogs, dobermans and boxers... The head bobbing can be either up and down or side to side; usually activity, such as concentrating on food or a toy, makes it go away but not always.   The good news is that it absolutely does not harm the dog, and doesn't seem to not bother them at all, but it is very distressing for the owner.

Others probabilities are "Paroxysmal Dyskinesia" and "Head Tremors" which are two other movement disorders fairly commonly seen in bulldogs... If she's having a petite mal seizure- she might exhibit these symptoms but usually the dog is a bit unfocused afterwards.. Seems out of it.

Here's a site with some good info.

KR- myopinions Profile
KR- myopinions answered
Sounds like it may possibly be head tremors or to be specific what is known as 'Idiopathic Head Bobbing Syndrome'. It is commonly associated with Bulldogs and some other breeds. Many have noticed that a change in feeding schedule and supplementing with something like nutri-stat or nutri-cal seems to help lessen the duration and frequency of episodes similar to minor episodes of hypoglycemia or something. This condition is not generally a concern nor requires medication, it is not seizures or epilepsy, though it is important to make sure your pup isn't actually having seizures or other neurological problem. One detail to pay attention to is whether or not your pup still seems to be alert during and after an episode and just has a bobbing, wobbly head.
http://www.bulldogsoflasvegas.com/about.php
http://bulldogsworld.com/health-and-medical/head-tremors-bulldog-partial-focal-seizures-paroxysmal-dyskinesia
q4829462.html#a2078532
Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Hi, I have a 5 year old toy poodle having the same problems, head bobbing..I've been told there is no Parkinsons that dogs have only epilepsy...I see that you posted this quite a while ago.How is your BullDog now? I have taken her to the vet & they have tried treating with steroids & antibiotics & nothing so far..actually she had what seemed like a seizure last night for a few minutes & then she was fine...I'd be interested in finding out how you made out with your dog & if they found out what was wrong...Someone told me to try taking her off commercial dog food & give her boiled chicken ect.so I just started that, so we'll see if that makes any difference.
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Anonymous answered
Our 2 year old, old english bulldog has the same thing.  As near as I can figure it is most commonly caused by low blood sugar.  When she was younger we would mix a small amount of yogurt into her food,mostly for healthy bones, but we stopped and a short time after that was her first episode.  I have read a report of people giving a tsp of honey, but I think a liquid yogurt added to your dogs food is better.  Google search bulldog head shaking and read some more articles.
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Anonymous answered
I have a one-yr-old American Bulldog and this just happened to her today. I'm really worried. I was wondering, did you ever find out what the problem was? I hope you receive this. Thanks
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Anonymous answered
Please google the term head tremors or head bobbing in dogs, I found tremors of info on it, and my dog does this also... Still learning about it here. Hope that is a start for you .
Allison N Caleb (APBT)

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