Another "head tremors" question

[ZeusMamma]

Anyone who has experience with this- how often does your baby have this happen? We took Zeus in to the vet today for "head tremors"/possible seizures because they are getting very frequent and longer in duration. He has what appears to be head tremors and is responsive and can function during them but they are lasting 3-4 minutes now rather than the initial 30 seconds that they used to be. He's also started to drool during them and with a couple of them he's had stiffness in his back legs (which makes me more concerned that they are seizures rather than tremors). Does your dog have them often? Zeus's seem nearly cyclical (which the vet said is common with epilepsy)- ie, 3 in 2 days then nothing for 4 weeks then 5 in two days, etc. Has anyone else noticed a cycle to the events? Zeus's are all upon waking but today one stopped for about 20 seconds then restarted again! The vet did a full panel of blood work- are there any other tests we shld request? The vet wants us to try phenobarbital which scares me more than the tremors/seizures. Can head tremors alone follow this pattern, be this frequent and incorporate other symptoms??? Everything I read in the forums here seems to be closer to what we were initially seeing take place with Zeus but I can't seem to find anything elluding to increasing severity and symptoms. TIA!

 

[lafsalot]

The head tremors you described is how our Mya's epilepsy first manifested itself, and she often got them when she was waking up. Left untreated, the seizures could get worse. As long as your vet routinely checks her blood levels and does liver panel tests, you may want to reconsider putting your pooch on phenobarbitol. Although it has yet to be proven, I've read recently that some believe that seizures may in fact be caused by food allergies. Those vets recommend switching to a high quality hypoallergenic dog food. Good luck, and do keep me posted - Cathy

 

[ZeusMamma]

Thanks Cathy! We initially were thinking it was food related too so we've switched his food several times with no significant change in the condition. I hope Mya is well and thank you again!

 

[BoxerSC]

I just noticed these head trmors in Harley a week or so ago. He has had 3, all upon waking. He can function, walk, wag his tail and respond, but all with his head going in a "no" or side to side movement. I was initally very afraid, then I read on the board about it happening to a lot of Boxers and I relaxed a bit.
I will keep an eye on him. It hasn't happened again in almost a week.

I am in the process of swithcing them back to Canidae after being on Chicken Soup for many months.

Good luck and I hope your baby is okay!

 

[angleheart]

How old is Zues? My 5 yr. old boy, Harley, has had spiratic head tremors lasting about 1 min. over the years since he was about 5 months old. I notice that they occour following a stressful event. Of course, an example of a stressful event for him is being left alone for 5 min. while I take the trash out, if you know what I mean. He has severe separation anxiety. It doesn't happen enough to concern me at this point but I understand what your going through. I can remember the panic I felt the first time it happened.

 

[Justalyke]

This is an FYI for Zeus, My Savion is 2 and has been having sporadic head tremors for about 6 months. I also was very worried and researched like crazy to find out what was going on. When I came across many other people who's babies were having similar symptoms I relaxed a bit myself. Then the other night he had a leg tremor, that freaked me out because it was very similar to the head. He was alert and moving and it never bothered him. He always has them when he is at rest and had a lot of activity going on that day. Of course I paniced and took him to the vet the next day. My vet did a lot of research and even came across a thread I started the morning after the tremor. He was surprised to see how many head tremor experiences were out there. To make a long story not so long.....he thinks he is displaying textbook signs of Progressive Axonopathy in Boxers. I guess it used to be common in Boxers, but not so much any more. It isn't good, there is no treatment and it slowly progresses into paralization (sp?). I am waiting on the very edge of my seat for some feedback from a neurologist and I am sure will be seeing one soon. I just wanted to put this out there as much as possible for everyone having this issue. They are born with this, but usually start showing symptoms around 12-18 months (head tremors) then it usually progresses to the hind limbs, and so on and so forth. There isn't a whole lot that I can find out there but I will share everything I can with everyone. I will keep you posted as soon as I get some more results!
Have you heard anything else about Zeus?

 

[MygirlJT]

I'm sorry to read about the problem with Zeus. I have no answers, just a question - what does a "head tremor" look like? Is it just a shaking of the head only? How would one distinguish it from a seizure? Thanks. V

 

[Austin's Mom]

It looks like they are shaking their head no. And it's only the head.