Spaniel head shaking.

[ClaudiaWankleman]

I've currently got a spaniel who seems to be having ear problems. He is constantly shaking his head and sometimes scratching them. Really enjoying when I scratch his ears. I have cleaned them multiple times and there's nothing really coming out so I don't think it's an infection. He's not lost his balance so no vertigo I think.

Any ideas? He has a vets appointment next week for something unrelated. What can I do in the meanwhile?

Sounds like he may have a grass seed or similar in there, they can get really deep. Our springer used to get no end of them. The vet should be able to get out whatever's there

Yes, probably a seed has got in there, it happened to one of our dogs a few years ago and was unbelievably deep - then when she got it out it was one of those horrible, sharp arrowhead type

Fairly sure it can't be a grass seed. He had a major operation at the beginning of the month and hasn't been allowed out on walks since. The grass in our garden is always cut.

Grass seeds can be there a long time and are really common at this time of year. The big risk is that cleaning can force them further down the ear. Only full examination with an otoscope will tell you what is going on.

Ok great. I haven't seen him shake for a few hours so hopefully it doesn't come back. I'll get the vet to check it out though.

Have 3 spaniels and so far 2 grass seeds. There is a distinctive tilt. Would get it checked either way as they germinate and cause big problems. If your dog is calm enough they can remove it without GA. Def. worth a go.

Clean ears, pop in some Thornit powder, has totally resolved my spaniel's shaking of head.

Maybe yeasty ears. We have two spaniels. One scratched and shook her ears regularly. The only hung we found that help was cleaning her ears with witch hazel. Everything else was too greasy which made the yeast and subsequent itchyness worse. Use z plastic syringe to flush die the ear, massage as normal, wipe away anything after they shake.