Tremors and neck twitch

[Cniewald]

Hi everyone — looking for some guidance or shared experiences with my English Bulldog, Thor.





Thor is 8.5 years old, and over the last few months he’s developed some strange, very specific episodes that I’m trying to understand better. Hoping someone here has seen something similar.





What’s been happening:

• This first started 4–5 months ago after a normal tug-of-war session. He suddenly froze and his eyes darted back and forth for a few seconds.
• Since then, he’s had intermittent 5–7 second episodes that happen immediately after he shakes his head — never at random.
• During these episodes his head dips/tilts, his eyes twitch rapidly, and he looks briefly off-balance.
• He snaps out of it quickly and then acts completely normal: eating, responding, cuddling, going outside, etc.
• Separately, he has had mild bulldog “head bobble” tremors his whole life — the classic IHTS head nodding — but those occur on their own. They are NOT triggered by head shaking and are completely different from these new episodes.
• In the last 24 hours, the head tremors become longer and more frequent

What we’ve already tried:

• Two full weeks of focal seizure medication — no improvement at all.
• Before that:
  • Two weeks of oral antibiotics
  • Ear medication (topical)
    → No change in the episodes.

New symptom today:

• He’s slightly ginger on his back right leg — still using it, but slower/hesitant.

What I’m trying to figure out:

• Could this still be an inner or middle ear issue, even after antibiotics and ear drops?
• Could it be a vestibular problem, pinched nerve, or cervical spine issue that only shows up after he shakes his head?
• Has anyone seen these short “post–head shake” episodes in bulldogs that were not seizures?

Thor is completely himself outside of these episodes, but the frequency increase has me worried. We’re following up with our vet, but I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has seen something similar or has insight into possible causes.

 

[Cniewald]

Had to take Thor to the ER for tremor clusters. He’s staying overnight. Please please if anyone has dealt with these please reach out. Xray and blood were negative, no mri yet….

 

[Lennie. U.K.]

I think the MRI, may help with the diagnosis. When is Thor due to have the MRI?

 

[helsonwheels]

If he had head bobble tremors his whole life, the tug a war must of unlocked a nerve. We’ve seen this question many with some members. When the dog goes into a trance, some will give like a tablespoon of peanut butter and it stops almost immediately. You said:

• He snaps out of it quickly and then acts completely normal: eating, responding, cuddling, going outside, etc.”

You say it’s nots a seizure. Who said it wasn’t cause it sounds like one. It doesn’t harm the dog either and basically nothing to do about it. Vets will give all sorts of meds like they did with yours and nothing works. Just wait till the X-ray results. Please keep us posted.

@2BullyMama

 

[Cniewald]

I think the MRI, may help with the diagnosis. When is Thor due to have the MRI?

He spent the night in the ER. Xray negatives, blood work negative - they said the meds they put him on over night helped but he was heavily sedated. We can’t afford an mri ) so now we are going to try the seizure medication + steroids and antibiotics. Only time will tell if it’s a tumor or something else. I’ve never been more devastated in my life but I’m just happy to get him back and go from there.

And the head bobbles / tremors he’s had his entire life he would snap out of - what he experienced yesterday and Monday (looked similar but he didn’t snap out were seizures) now again what’s causing that (possible tumor, underlying middle ear infection, inflammation) we won’t really know bc we can’t do the mri. Please pray for our Thor boy. Thank you.

 

[Cniewald]

Discharge Summary – 8.5-year-old English Bulldog

“Thor was hospitalized for recurrent head tremors and possible focal seizure activity. Bloodwork and X-rays were normal. MRI/CT was not performed at this time.

After evaluation by a neurologist, the current working differential (ranked) is:

1. Brain tumor – ranked slightly higher due to age and gradual progression of symptoms over several months, but not confirmed without MRI
2. Inflammatory or infectious brain disease (e.g., meningitis or inflammation extending from the ear)

3. Inner or middle ear disease as a contributing factor

Because no imaging was done, the treatment plan is medical management and close observation:

• Steroids (prednisone taper) to reduce possible brain/nerve inflammation
• Antibiotics to cover potential infectious or inner ear causes
• Anti-seizure meds adjusted based on response

The goal over the next 7–14 days is to monitor whether symptoms improve, stay the same, or worsen on treatment. Improvement would suggest an inflammatory/infectious process; lack of improvement or progression would increase concern for a structural cause and prompt reconsideration of MRI.

At home, we are monitoring:

Frequency, duration, and intensity of tremor/seizure-like episodes

• Responsiveness during episodes
• Balance, walking, appetite, and breathing

We were advised to seek urgent care if episodes last >5 minutes, if he becomes unresponsive, collapses, develops labored breathing, or shows rapid neurologic decline.

This is currently a “treat and observe” approach, not a confirmed diagnosis.

 

[Lennie. U.K.]

I am so sorry Thor, you and your family are going through this (its heart breaking reading it) I really do know what you are going through, as many members on the forum do. Please don't be a stranger to the forum, remember we are all part of the Bulldog family. Good Luck!

 

[helsonwheels]

@Cniewald so sorry you have to go through all this. Very stressful time. Let’s hope his meds helps. Please keep us posted.

 

[Cniewald]

I am so sorry Thor, you and your family are going through this (its heart breaking reading it) I really do know what you are going through, as many members on the forum do. Please don't be a stranger to the forum, remember we are all part of the Bulldog family. Good Luck!

Today (so far

 

[Cniewald]

Thank you. It’s been extremely difficult the past few days. Today has show positive signs to the meds, although it’s still very early. One day at a time, please keep Thor in your prayers.

 

[Donna-Marie]

Discharge Summary – 8.5-year-old English Bulldog

“Thor was hospitalized for recurrent head tremors and possible focal seizure activity. Bloodwork and X-rays were normal. MRI/CT was not performed at this time.

After evaluation by a neurologist, the current working differential (ranked) is:

1. Brain tumor – ranked slightly higher due to age and gradual progression of symptoms over several months, but not confirmed without MRI
2. Inflammatory or infectious brain disease (e.g., meningitis or inflammation extending from the ear)

3. Inner or middle ear disease as a contributing factor

Because no imaging was done, the treatment plan is medical management and close observation:

• Steroids (prednisone taper) to reduce possible brain/nerve inflammation
• Antibiotics to cover potential infectious or inner ear causes
• Anti-seizure meds adjusted based on response

The goal over the next 7–14 days is to monitor whether symptoms improve, stay the same, or worsen on treatment. Improvement would suggest an inflammatory/infectious process; lack of improvement or progression would increase concern for a structural cause and prompt reconsideration of MRI.

At home, we are monitoring:

Frequency, duration, and intensity of tremor/seizure-like episodes

• Responsiveness during episodes
• Balance, walking, appetite, and breathing

We were advised to seek urgent care if episodes last >5 minutes, if he becomes unresponsive, collapses, develops labored breathing, or shows rapid neurologic decline.

This is currently a “treat and observe” approach, not a confirmed diagnosis.

Do you live in the U.K.? Depending on your circumstances you might be entitled to free or lower priced help for an MRI or CT from the PDSA, if not depending where you live (U.K.) the blue cross or rspca may be able to help.

 

[2BullyMama]

This is so scary… I have no experience but a question, does he ever press his forehead against anything, wall, you furniture ?

@oscarmayer … any insight?

 

[oscarmayer]

Just seeing the post. Mama thinking what I’m thinking.
Pressing head against wall is to relieve head pain, likely a tumor based on past experiences.
Dogs will also walk in circles. I hope he doesn’t start doing either and continues to respond favorably to the meds.