Your dog tilts his head – why is he doing that?! You may be asking yourself this question after observing this in your dog.
Not always you have to immediately to the vet, in some cases it may be necessary. What’s the deal with the slant? You can find out in our guide.
In a nutshell: is it normal for the dog to tilt its head?
It depends on the cause. When your dog is curious or confused, it’s normal for the dog to tilt its head. Plugged an illness behind itit is therefore no longer normal if he has his head tilted.
Dog keeps his head askew – causes
As mentioned, can already curiosity be a cause of why a dog tilts its head. So there is no need to worry here.
Often enough interesting noisewhich causes the dog to tilt or droop its head and ears.
The situation is different if the following causes are behind it. Because these are to be taken seriously and should therefore not be taken lightly.
Vestibular Syndrome
This syndrome occurs primarily in older dogs. Here one speaks of the so-called geriatric vestibular syndrome.
This results from reduced blood flow to the inner ear and brain. Symptoms of this condition include loss of balance, dizziness, flickering eyes, and vomiting.
Good to know:
The vestibular syndrome is also the idiopathic, the peripheral and the central vestibular syndrome distinguished.
Ear infection/middle ear infection
It’s in the ears sense of balance. If there is an inflammation here, it is of course affected. Your dog may also have an ear fungus.
In addition, it can feel like a foreign body. Your dog is also in pain. It is not uncommon for him to scratch his ear to get rid of them.
To one supposed foreign body Tilting your head at an angle can also help to get it out of your ear
stroke
A stroke can also meet dogs. This does not come from the heart, as is often assumed, but happens in the brain.
Symptoms also include balance disorders. Also are paralysis a sign. These, in turn, may manifest themselves in a tilted position of the head. It is also possible that the ear hangs.
epilepsy
Dogs can too epilepsy fall ill. This usually manifests itself as follows: the affected dog runs in circles, sways and falls over, howls, drools.
Interesting:
Dogs tilt their heads for another reason. Namely, to be able to look at and see each other better.
What can I do for my dog?
Whenever a dog becomes ill, the first thing to do is: keep calm. Because your worry and your stress are transferred to your dog. As a result, he is even more frightened than he already was.
Your veterinarian can tell you whether exercises – such as those that relax the neck muscles – can help and depends on the cause of the crooked head position.
When should I see a vet?
The first thing you need to do is figure out what might be going on with your dog. To do this, you have to rule out a harmless reason.
If he just heard an interesting noise or is curious, you should definitely not go to the vet.
In addition to the tilted head, does he show other symptoms mentioned above: The earlier you have a medical history taken by the veterinarian, the better.
The rule here is: it’s better to bark at the wrong tree too soon than too little one crucial time.
therapy and treatment options
Possible therapies and treatment options obviously always related to the disease together. They can therefore not be taken as a general rule.
The treating veterinarian makes the decision about this after a detailed preliminary examination of the dog. Determining this is not always easy due to the many causes.
If it is an inflammation of the ear, here, among other things, Antibiotics, corticoids, or antifungals help.
If, on the other hand, it is the central vestibular syndrome that originates in the brain, a cortisone preparation provide first aid. This can also be used in an epileptic seizure.
Is the slanting position another nervous cause: Rest, protection and Vitamin B supplements help to get your dog fit and happily romping around again soon.
Good to know:
Is it a neurological cause, healing depends on their type. As a rule, you can initially assume that your dog will have recovered after 3 days.
In some cases, however, the tilted position of the head can remain. Experts then speak of a so-called nystagmus.
Conclusion
A sloping position of the dog’s head, for example when yawning, does not always have to have a serious reason. If you still suspect this, the same applies here: It is not always a serious illness.
It is important that you keep a close eye on the signs and act accordingly if necessary. Then your dog will soon wink at you again with a cheeky head tilted to the side.
What experiences have you had with your dog and the tilted head? Just share them with us in the comments.