First time head tremor, worried mom

[roxypup]

My 2 yr old Roxy got some kind of stomach virus or ate something poisonous about 4 days ago and had a horiable day of throwing up and bloody diarriah. We took her to the vet and she was given medicine and the special science diet food. She seems all better from that, she eating fine.
Last night though, she was laying on my lap and looked up at me and her head was shaking and continued shaking unil she got up and walked around. I was a very worried doggie mommy and we kept our eye on her. Then it happened again and again.
We ended up taking her at midnight to the emergency pet hospital because we knew we wouldn't be able to sleep anyways.
The doctor had never heard of these "head tremors" before and did some blood work. The doctor did say that she has a defidint heat murmor, which she didn't have before, unless her regular vet never noticed this. She says murmors can come and go away, sometimes staring after an infection or high feaver.
The blood tests came out normal and she didn't have any more tremors last night, thank god!
So this morning I went on BW( wish I would of last night, might of saved $200), but this seems to be happening to a lot of boxers.

What I'm wondering is, has this problem every progressed into full on seisures for anyone? Could she have an allergy to this new Science Diet food? Could coming into contact with just sprayed carpet cleaner cause this? And what about the smell of really strong lotion on me( it happen right after I took a bath and I put slathered lotion all over me and she was laying on me)?
I am so thankful for BW, it took me so long to become a member because it was so full. Just knowing it's not just Roxy is a (big long sigh) of relief!!
By the way, I called the vet this moring to let her know that I found information of BW that was descriped exactly like what Roxy was doing and she said don't trust what you read on the internet, Im not listening to that, there is a lot of good info on this site.
Thanks for reading, I know it's long
:p :p

 

[sashamygirl]

I'v never experinced this but i hope all goes well for you and your furbabie good luck Jenn&Sasha

 

[douma]

Originally posted by roxypup

Could she have an allergy to this new Science Diet food? :p :p

Ofcourse she could and if the food was the cause then you are lucky because you will be easy to find out it. What do you feed her?

Avra had exactly the same problem until the age of 13months,i found the cause(every brand of dry food) and now that she is on raw diet she is free of these episodies for 2,5years.
And by the way... her vet had never heard about head tremors

I wish you find out the cause very soon
Good luck

PS.i suppose that you have done it yet but if not you could search for "head tremors" or "head shaking"and you will find tons of info here on Boxerworld


Sophia and Avra

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

My Susie suffers from these head tremors as well. We were on medication for a while (phenobarbitol and then Potassium Bromide). I have taken her off the meds now (side effects were really bad for Susie), and she still has an occasional episode but, as Sharon stated, it is usually after she has exercised or played or generally been excited and aroused for a while and then lies down to sleep.

I try to keep up with her and make sure that she gets a couple of doggie biscuits after exercise and play, etc. It has helped tremendously. She has fewer now than when on the meds, and as I am getting better at making sure she has enough blood sugar after exercise, she is having a MUCH easier time with it. Hopefully in a few more months, we will see the end of these tremors.

I know it is frightening, but don't worry too much. The only problem with Susie having these episodes is her heart rate increases a bit too much. I try and keep her (and me) calm, I get in her face and she licks and licks me, and I massage her neck vigorously. This seems to help a LOT. I just keep telling her that "daddy's here, it's ok" and she comes out of them in about 5 to 15 seconds.

I see no effects from them other than increased heart rate while going through them but, I suspect that is because she gets scared and doesn't understand what's happening to her. Bless her heart.

My vet hadn't heard of these either. All Susie's tests were normal but she was having them so frequently and so violently and her heart rate (initially when they began at 4 years old) went sky high, so we medicated her. The doctor felt it could be the start of epilepsy so we went the cautious route. But we've both researched and learned and understand what it is all about much better now. Even though there isn't a whole lot of information out there on this condition, there is some and it is mostly reassuring to know that this is not something horribly serious or even as serious as epilepsy or other type seizures.

Some of the threads here have some links to excellent articles about head tremors. If I were you, I'd go visit those sites, print off the information and take it to your vet. I think he'll see that this isn't just "internet stuff" but, in fact, information put on the internet by reputable and authoritative professionals, vets, behaviorists, nutritionists, etc., for the sake of all of our dogs and for all of our information.

Remember, a lot of vets think that if they didn't learn it in Vet School, it doesn't exist. Shallow thinking, but that's how they are (doctors as well). Do your own research and make your own educated decisions along WITH your vet. It is YOUR DOG, not your vet's dog. He can do what he wants with his own dog. If he isn't willing to at least listen and learn from his dog owner clients, then in my estimation he isn't worth much as a vet.

My vet, although she'd not heard of it, was very willing to learn and take into her practice the information which I provided for her. She did her own research as well after this was brought to her attention. She had just not ever run across any dogs with this condition before and didn't know anything about it. But she was willing to learn and that is worth the world to me and my dogs.

There is a lot of excellent information here at BW, all of which has helped me and Susie (and my vet) tremendously. I only hope that it can help you and others as well. That's why we're here.

Best of luck. Keep us posted.

 

[roxypup]

Thank you so much for your replies!! Roxy has doing fine today. I've decided it's time to go back to her feeding rutine which is Wellness, dry and wet mixed(I've heard a lot of good stuff about this food). I will get some suyrup at the store so I can try that if this happens again (hopefully not).
Should I be worried about this heart murmer?:confused:

 

[hberling]

I had a similar experience with my 2 year old boxer just the other day. He was resting on the couch when he had his first head tremor. It lasted about 3 minutes then he was fine. His heart rate was normal, pulse was good and his pupils were normal. I took him to the emergency vet and they did an ECG which was normal. The next morning, as he was waking up, he had 3 more episodes-one for 3 minutes, then ten minutes later he had one for 30 seconds, then two minutes after that he had one for 2 minutes. I took him to my regular vet for blood work and all came back normal. Hopefully this will be his last experience with head tremors. But, as it was explained to me, as long as they do not progress to gran mal seizures and the frequency does not increase he should be o.k. without meds. As someone mentioned before, there is a ton of info about head tremors and seizures on this site. After reading many of the posts I felt much better about my boxer's "condition." Thanks to all who share their experiences!!

 

[Usandthedog]

Not sure if this is related, but I had a Border Collie that developed a sort of inner-ear "issue" that resulted in something like this: We went to wake her up one morning and she wouldn't move, when she did she fell down or walked in circles, all the while her head was shaking and tilted to the left. After going to the vet, he determined that she had some imbalance in her inner-ear and we had to hope for the best that she would come out of it. In time, a month or two, she could walk fine, but her head still listed to the left. She was about 14 when this happened and it was most likely an age-related thing, but thought I'd toss it out there anyway.
Good luck, hope its nothing serious.

 

[douma]

Originally posted by Debbie Magon


Many people, vets especially dont know that boxers tend to get low on blood sugars very easily.
After an illness or surgery they need a glucose fix and regular snacks.
I see this in bitches who have used up all their reserves whelping.
Its quite scary till you know what your dealing with so dont panic and get that glucose out.

.

I'm really so impressed!!!!!!!! i'm sure that Avra's "head tremor" is due to kibbles but i have not imagined that is was due to low blood sugar!!!
I don't know if it's coincidence,but reading your respond here i gave her honey and she is more active than the previous days:eek: :eek: :eek:
I would like to give her some kibbles and honey at the same time in order to see the results,but i'm afraid to see her shaking her head again:(

Thank you SO MUCH
Sophia and Avra

 

[Krikkit]

Hi Sophia, just on the honey, we carry that everywhere with us. I have it in the house, the two cars and the caravan so it will always be on hand where we are with the Boxers. Ruben was hypoglycemic as a puppy and I started it then.

I've only had to use it once in the past 5 years, but I feel better knowing we have some on hand at all times. Honey can be good for shock too. It is a great emergency standby.

Sharon

 

[douma]

Originally posted by Krikkit
Hi Sophia, just on the honey, we carry that everywhere with us. I have it in the house, the two cars and the caravan so it will always be on hand where we are with the Boxers. Ruben was hypoglycemic as a puppy and I started it then.

I've only had to use it once in the past 5 years, but I feel better knowing we have some on hand at all times. Honey can be good for shock too. It is a great emergency standby.

Sharon

This is why the Boxerworld is the best site:D I know that i would find the more useful info here:D

Thanks
Sophia and Avra