Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Whole Lotta Shakin Going on in Bulldog

Pets Symptom Solver Tool: "Head shaking and head tilting are usually caused by an outer-ear infection called otitis externa. Caused by bacteria, yeast, or other organisms, this condition is particularly common in dogs with large, floppy ears because the insides of the ears get hot and humid, creating a perfect environment for infection, says Stephen Simpson, D.V.M., associate professor of neurology at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in Auburn, Alabama.
Pets with ear mites will also shake or tilt their heads."

--and we thought they tilted their heads to be cute
E.S.

Head Shaking Causes

Face and Head probelms in Dogs: "In my practice area, head shaking is a frequent side effect of allergies,
fleas, mosquito bites and fly bites. Allergies can be inhalant allergies to
pollens, etc. (atopy), food allergies, or flea or mosquito bite allergies
(worse reaction than just getting bitten). Some dogs have immune mediated
diseases that make their ears itchy. Occasionally a young dog will have
head shaking as an early sign of demodectic mange infestation. Sarcoptic
mange mite infection also can lead to head shaking.
In the case of atopy, the head shaking may be the result of itchiness or it
may be the result of inflammation of the respiratory tract and eustachian
tube leading to problems equalizing the pressure in the middle ears or to
fluid accumulation in the middle ears. Antihistamines may help relieve the
itchiness and sometimes help with the respiratory signs, as well. You might
want to ask your vet about this, too. "

--a trip to the vet is in order
E.S.

Bulldog Love - Who Can Resist?

Welcome: "Hope you weren't expecting some great love story about my husband or some other lost love. Although I adore my husband to no end, anyone who knows me also knows that my puppy, an English Bulldog named Sgt. Major, is the center of my world. "

--they do work into the heart very quickly, and stay forever!
E.S.