Help Needed! Head Tremors

[betterxthanxnew]

I had hoped we weren't going to have this issue.... but it's been a long sleepless weekend. Effie has started having head tremors. I'm really shocked, because she's going to be 3 next January, and I really thought if she was going to have them, we would have seen them by now!

My husband was getting ready for work Saturday morning around 5:30am, and all of the sudden I felt the entire bed shaking. I woke up to Effie still half asleep, but bobbing her head up and down in a "yes" fashion, I hollered out for my husband to bring me one of their peanut butter biscuits, and she took it from me & immediately the bobbing stopped. It started again just a few minutes later. I'd say this went on for about 45 minutes off and on. It happened again Sunday morning, and then again this morning starting around 3am. I'm glad that I've read so much information on this forum that I basically knew what was happening when it started. It sure didn't stop me from bawling like a baby though. I keep racking my brain trying to figure out what could have caused this...We were debating changing their food, but hadn't yet. Effie has been on Earthborn Holistic for 2 years now with no problems. We use the same treats we've always used (Buddy Biscuits, green beens, ice cubes, and every now and then a little dab of peanut butter). We've cut out out all people food/scraps over the last few months to help her lose some weight. She doesn't have allergies, but she does have seasonal flank alopecia, which is in full swing right now. Both of our girls get a dollop of plain non-fat greek yogurt with their dinner in the evenings....

I'm not sure what to do, if I should even do anything. I debated taking her into the vet for a work up. But I know beyond a shadow of a doubt it's head tremors. I know that I absolutely shouldn't have her on any seizure meds for this. She's fully aware, she responds to me. She sits up, she takes treats. Her body isn't stiff & there's no foaming. It's just the most heart breaking thing I've seen. Is there anything I should try to do? I've read about supplementing with TUMS or B vitamins? Has anyone had any positive experiences with either of those? I'm just at a loss for what, if anything, I can do for her....

 

[2BullyMama]

I had hoped we weren't going to have this issue.... but it's been a long sleepless weekend. Effie has started having head tremors. I'm really shocked, because she's going to be 3 next January, and I really thought if she was going to have them, we would have seen them by now!

My husband was getting ready for work Saturday morning around 5:30am, and all of the sudden I felt the entire bed shaking. I woke up to Effie still half asleep, but bobbing her head up and down in a "yes" fashion, I hollered out for my husband to bring me one of their peanut butter biscuits, and she took it from me & immediately the bobbing stopped. It started again just a few minutes later. I'd say this went on for about 45 minutes off and on. It happened again Sunday morning, and then again this morning starting around 3am. I'm glad that I've read so much information on this forum that I basically knew what was happening when it started. It sure didn't stop me from bawling like a baby though. I keep racking my brain trying to figure out what could have caused this...We were debating changing their food, but hadn't yet. Effie has been on Earthborn Holistic for 2 years now with no problems. We use the same treats we've always used (Buddy Biscuits, green beens, ice cubes, and every now and then a little dab of peanut butter). We've cut out out all people food/scraps over the last few months to help her lose some weight. She doesn't have allergies, but she does have seasonal flank alopecia, which is in full swing right now. Both of our girls get a dollop of plain non-fat greek yogurt with their dinner in the evenings....

I'm not sure what to do, if I should even do anything. I debated taking her into the vet for a work up. But I know beyond a shadow of a doubt it's head tremors. I know that I absolutely shouldn't have her on any seizure meds for this. She's fully aware, she responds to me. She sits up, she takes treats. Her body isn't stiff & there's no foaming. It's just the most heart breaking thing I've seen. Is there anything I should try to do? I've read about supplementing with TUMS or B vitamins? Has anyone had any positive experiences with either of those? I'm just at a loss for what, if anything, I can do for her....

These are totally harmless... there is no know cause for them all you can do is what you did. You can look or try to identify triggers but the vet community still has no understanding of why they happen. Some think it is allergies, stress, vitamins deficiency but nothing proven.

Continue as you do, distract the muscles with treats and know.. there is no pain, they are scary but they are not in any pain at all.

As long as she responds to you and there is no foaming or lack of response they are just idiopathic tremors.
((Hug))


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[RiiSi]

I would start her with vitamin B's. They are water soluble, so no danger of overdose. Also check her neck muscles . Some say head tremors can be caused by overly stressed neck muscles and bullies o have big neck muscles.

 

[betterxthanxnew]

[MENTION=2894]2BullyMama[/MENTION] Thank you. I've been so stressed out over the whole ordeal I've been scouring the internet all day searching for answers- and it looks like there really isn't one. It seems like distraction is the only thing that works for shortening the episodes. I did call and speak with our vet. She made an appointment for Effie to come in tomorrow morning for a check up & blood work. She wants to rule out an inner ear infection & other types of seizures before diagnosing them as idiopathic. So we'll see how that goes...She wants us to try and get a video as well if we are able to.

 

[MFrey2012]

[MENTION=2894]2BullyMama[/MENTION] Thank you. I've been so stressed out over the whole ordeal I've been scouring the internet all day searching for answers- and it looks like there really isn't one. It seems like distraction is the only thing that works for shortening the episodes. I did call and speak with our vet. She made an appointment for Effie to come in tomorrow morning for a check up & blood work. She wants to rule out an inner ear infection & other types of seizures before diagnosing them as idiopathic. So we'll see how that goes...She wants us to try and get a video as well if we are able to.

Ellie and I wish the best to Effie!! - keep us posted!!

 

[Hankster]

oh boy I know how you feel about 'hoping to have gotton past the getting point' . These guys just surprise us over and over I guess. I'm glad it's this though and not something serious!!! and mabie, if you keep sort of not letting it happen, they will just go away??? It seems I read something like that a while ago. That and seizures as well. Anyway, bout to head to church, will say a little prayer there... Some real sweet people there that will love to say some too

 

[ddnene]

I'm so sorry to read this... we have many members on the forum who deal w/seizures, and I can only imagine how frightening that can be. I think it's a good idea to let your vet do some initial blood work, and rule out anything else. We are here for you and your baby... please keep us posted!!!

 

[betterxthanxnew]

Thanks for the kind words everyone My husband dropped Effie off with our vet this morning & they just called me. All of her blood work came back normal! Idiopathic head tremors is now her official diagnosis. Our vet said that it isn't related to blood sugar or calcium deficiencies, and that the cause is actually unknown. She went into scientific mode and started explaining theories related to the brain & stretch muscles in the neck- but none have been proven. For now she said to continue the distraction method or just let her ride them out. She offered a small glimmer of hope, that they may go away on their own as Effie gets older. Lord, I hope that happens! My heart breaks seeing her shake like that. I got a video of it at 3am this morning for my husband to show to the vet today, I'll attempt to attach it here. Thanks again for all of the well-wishes. I love this community.

 

[Hankster]

well crap doggone it!!!! The best thing I guess is that it's said there is no pain or discomfort. I hope this stops as quick as it started!! It's so awful that these precious hearts, and us! have to be open to so many issues... Prayers

 

[2BullyMama]

Thanks for the kind words everyone My husband dropped Effie off with our vet this morning & they just called me. All of her blood work came back normal! Idiopathic head tremors is now her official diagnosis. Our vet said that it isn't related to blood sugar or calcium deficiencies, and that the cause is actually unknown. She went into scientific mode and started explaining theories related to the brain & stretch muscles in the neck- but none have been proven. For now she said to continue the distraction method or just let her ride them out. She offered a small glimmer of hope, that they may go away on their own as Effie gets older. Lord, I hope that happens! My heart breaks seeing her shake like that. I got a video of it at 3am this morning for my husband to show to the vet today, I'll attempt to attach it here. Thanks again for all of the well-wishes. I love this community.

Hate these, but as scary as they as it is good to know there is no pain

Hugs to Miss Effie


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[Mom of a bully girl]

Hi
Yes these tremors are scary. My Stella ( now 6 yrs old) had them for the first time about 10 days post CCL surgery at the age of 3. We (and our vet)had such a hard time figuring out if it was a medication reaction, seizures or just idiopathic head tremors. We had never heard of these before this so we took her to specialists and had all kinds of work ups done. After some research we discovered that ideopathic trmors can be triggered by some kind of trauma that may occur. As it turns out, this was Stella's situation (I.e. Her surgery). They stopped after another 2 weeks or so. We found out that for her, the trauma is her trigger. 18 months after her left CCL surgery, she had to have her right CCL done and amazingly the head tremors returned!! And again, once she was about 4 weeks post surgery they stopped and we haven't seen them again.
We used the treats and lots of calm voices and tiny hugs to bring her out of the tremors and it always worked ��

Good luck and I'm glad it is the idiopathic type of tremor.

 

[betterxthanxnew]

[MENTION=17501]Mom of a bully girl[/MENTION], well Effie hasn't had any trauma or surgery in a long time. She isn't actively on any medication either. I wish I could figure out what has triggered her, but I guess it is just going to remain a mystery for now!! The tremors do have a good prognosis though, our vet said it usually goes away in 50% of dogs, so fingers crossed!!

Effie actually didn't have a single tremor over night or early this morning (she's been having them between 3am and 6am)!! My husband and I racked our brains & the only new thing she has had is a peanut butter nylabone that we gave to her Friday evening (before all of this started). It was the ONLY new thing in her life. I did take it away from her, so she didn't get it Sunday night. We had 1 tremor Monday morning (compared to the multiples on Sat/Sun mornings), and then ZERO this morning. Now I have no idea why the nylabone would have anything to do with it! It isn't the first one that she's had- she loves nylabones & we've never had an issue before. It was a new design that she hasn't had before, but I wouldn't think that would make a difference! Needless to say I'm gonna keep it away for a few more days, just in case, and see how things go. I was so relieved that she didn't have any tremors this morning though! But, I'm not gonna hold my breath.

Thanks again for all of the well wishes for my baby girl

 

[helsonwheels]

[MENTION=17501]Mom of a bully girl[/MENTION], well Effie hasn't had any trauma or surgery in a long time. She isn't actively on any medication either. I wish I could figure out what has triggered her, but I guess it is just going to remain a mystery for now!! The tremors do have a good prognosis though, our vet said it usually goes away in 50% of dogs, so fingers crossed!!

Effie actually didn't have a single tremor over night or early this morning (she's been having them between 3am and 6am)!! My husband and I racked our brains & the only new thing she has had is a peanut butter nylabone that we gave to her Friday evening (before all of this started). It was the ONLY new thing in her life. I did take it away from her, so she didn't get it Sunday night. We had 1 tremor Monday morning (compared to the multiples on Sat/Sun mornings), and then ZERO this morning. Now I have no idea why the nylabone would have anything to do with it! It isn't the first one that she's had- she loves nylabones & we've never had an issue before. It was a new design that she hasn't had before, but I wouldn't think that would make a difference! Needless to say I'm gonna keep it away for a few more days, just in case, and see how things go. I was so relieved that she didn't have any tremors this morning though! But, I'm not gonna hold my breath.

Thanks again for all of the well wishes for my baby girl

If you're going to let ride as mentioned, I personally would start this little mixture for tremors. Get Helichrysum, Frankincense and Vetiver essential oils. Reduces inflammation of the brain and Vetiver is known to reduse tremors in Parkinson patients. Mix 2 drops of each oils with 1/2 a teaspoon of fractionated coconut oil on the temples n neck 2x a day.