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  #61  
Old July 17th, 2007, 01:41 PM
bmathers bmathers is offline
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Idiopathic head tremors

My lab has been experiencing this for over a week. I have had blood tests done and just got back from a neurologist. They diagnosed her with this syndrome and said it is a benign condition.

The bottom line is, if your dog is having the same thing as mine, it is not seizure related and the seizure medicine won't help. In fact, the seizure medicine has lots of side effects. Do a search for "idiopathic head tremors" and see if that sounds like what your dog is doing. If it is, there is no known cause, no known treatment, but it is not harmful to your dog. They may even grow out of it.

I wish someone was doing more research into this syndrome...as of now, it seems that there isn't much going on in the way of research, probably because people don't think it's a harmful condition.
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  #62  
Old July 17th, 2007, 01:58 PM
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pitgrrl pitgrrl is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dcasey View Post

I would like to continue communicating with others in the Montreal area who are/were having the same problem.
Have you seen a neurologist? I know there is one in Montreal (I wish I could remember her name) who travels to different clinics and will look at video and any blood work done by your own vet and consult on the situation.

This is what I did when my dog was suffering from head tremors and it was most helpful to both myself and the vets I was using, as like you, they did not necessarily have a lot of experience in this area.
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  #63  
Old July 25th, 2007, 10:21 AM
buckeye.girl buckeye.girl is offline
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Diagnosed!

Bailey had the neurologist appointment yesterday.
The neurologist confirmed that she has these idiopathic head tremors.
They basically say that the tremors don't hurt the dog, and your dog is perfectly normal- albeight a bit special!

He did caution that if I would notice loss of control of bowels, or non-responsive that it could be seizure activity. If anyone sees that in their dog, it is NOT idiopathic head tremors, and they should see their vet immediately.

Hope this helps everyone that has been through the same thing I have. It's been a long year of worrying. Glad that this has finally been diagnosed!
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  #64  
Old July 26th, 2007, 02:01 PM
sways_bodyguard sways_bodyguard is offline
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oh my goodness...that video is heartbreaking to watch...poor guy :sad:
it seems like he is perfectly fine thruout the time it takes for them to run there course though so i wouldnt think there is any suffering going on...
a 2nd opinion from another vet wouldnt hurt just incase they have any other ideas as far as possibly eliminating this all together from your dogs daily routines.
i dont have much info to add other than the dog is a beauty and i hope he gets better... ill be praying for him!!
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  #65  
Old August 7th, 2007, 12:11 PM
Kat_r64 Kat_r64 is offline
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Smile My Boxer, Bruno just started having head tremors too!

I was so releived to find this site! My Boxer, Bruno just started having head tremors about 10 days ago. I saw the video of Buster and not only does Bruno have the same exact tremor but he looks just like Buster as well. Anyways, When Bruno had his first tremor I was very scared and I got on the internet. I too found the information about bulldogs having head tremors that are not harmful to them but it talked about when the dog gets hypoglycemic the tremors seem to accur. When the bulldog had a tremor the owner gave him some yogurt, ice cream or caro syrup and the tremor quit a lot faster. The only changes with Bruno that I can think of would be that we were in the process of moving and he didn't have access to his food whenever he wanted like he did before. He has always ate smaller amounts of food but more often throughout the day and right before bed and first thing in the morning. Once I got him back to his normal eating habits it has been 4 days now and he hasn't had another tremor. He doesn't seem to have any other symptoms either. He eats well and has normal bowel movements. I am releived at this point and I am glad that I found this site. I'm hoping that I have seen my last tremor. kat
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  #66  
Old August 15th, 2007, 07:29 PM
michmc1972 michmc1972 is offline
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Head Tremors

Has anyone figued out what these tremors are???
My 2 year old boxer started doing exactly what buster is doing last sunday. The vet isnt concerned, but does not know how to explain it.. Can any one help?
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  #67  
Old August 24th, 2007, 09:33 PM
banshee banshee is offline
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Banshee's head tremors (HELP)!

After talking to 6 different vets and putting my dog on phenobarbital for the last week I found this forum.I'm sooooo glad to see other people going through this too.
I have a 2yr. old Boxer named Banshee, and is very healthy,playfull, and energetic, he also started having the same exact thing happen to him 2 weeks ago for 4 days, but his happened either late at night or early morning.
We took him to our vet and she thought they were mild seizures, after getting his blood work back everything came back fine.I called 6 different vets and they have never heard of tremors.My husband and I decided last Wednesday to give him a half of pheno one time a day at 6:30 at night so we would be home with him.Now today is Friday, and he hasn't gotten one, but we are taking him off the pill to see what happens.I hate him taking it.
The only thing I could think of was that we went swimming 2 weekends in a row and he swam alot in a pool.

I want to know if anybody else has gave their dogs phenobarbital for these symtoms and what the outcome is?
Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks,
Gabi

Last edited by banshee; August 25th, 2007 at 04:32 PM.
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  #68  
Old October 5th, 2007, 06:22 PM
kate iv kate iv is offline
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buster's head tremor

Hi, I just joined this forum today and am relieved (not happy, just relieved) to see that other dogs have the same head-bobbing thing as my great dane Mozart. So far, he's had three episodes and they look exactly like Buster's. I can't find any common thread as to why it happens. Mozart has never been vaccinated and is not on any type of chemical or medication. The vet's explanation about firing nerves in the neck sounds the most plausable to me. I am so grateful that Buster's mom posted the video; it has given me much relief. The tremors don't seem to bother Mo at all; but they really, really upset me! I hope Buster is doing ok and to everyone else whose dogs are experiencing this, I wish you well. Kate
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  #69  
Old October 16th, 2007, 05:50 PM
boxermom32 boxermom32 is offline
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Wow! I'm so glad I found this place and Buster's video. My 2 year old male started doing the same thing about 3 weeks ago. I immediately called the vet but didn't describe it very well b/c they told me to give him some benadryl. They were thinking the was shaking his head b/c of something in his ear obviously. Anyway, he's had about 6 episodes, all lasting less than 2 minutes each. All of the ones that I've witnessed occured upon him waking up from a nap. He's due to get his heartworm test soon and I'm going to have some extra bloodwoork done on him just to rule out anything else.
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  #70  
Old October 19th, 2007, 03:03 PM
SonoPixie SonoPixie is offline
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7 month Doberman head Temors

My 7 month old Doberman, Quentin, has had tremors since about the last month. About 1 a week, this week 2. They all seem to happen when it is time to eat. This appears to be a well known condition with Doberman owners but not with Vet's. I elected not to do blood work etc, since he does not seem to be affected and I found so much information about it on the net. He did have surgery around 4 1/2 months, he was fixed and microchipped. I am saving this thread and taking it to the next Vet visit. I can't seem to attach a picture to this thread but you can see him on my space, myspace.com/shezor
Have a great day, Sheila
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  #71  
Old October 22nd, 2007, 11:23 AM
bertieGW bertieGW is offline
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Idiopathic Head Bobbing in my boxer Bertie

My boxer Bertie has started having episodes of Idiopathic Head Bobbing. He is 2.5 years old and the first one was on Sun, 14 Oct then on Fri, 19 Oct, Sat, 20 Oct and Sun, 21 Oct. I took him to the vet and they've suggested blood tests and an MRI scan but as he's not insured we've not gone down this road. We feed him IAMS dry dog food and my housemate works in a restaurant and brings him home meat everynight; could it be a build up of protein that's causing his head to bob? I'd be grateful for any advice.
Lorna
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  #72  
Old October 26th, 2007, 10:04 AM
lovinglife321 lovinglife321 is offline
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Thanks to you all!!

Hello Everybody!

My Boxer/Bulldog mix started having head tremors a few months ago. Back then I decided to do some research on the internet and try not to panic. I found a lot of info about the tremors in bulldogs. Well, yesterday my bully had another episode. I tried not to panic but decided I would contact the people I got her from to see if there was any history of it in either the father or the mother. They said no. AND said it was VERY UNUSUAL!!!! Well, since, the guy who I got her from is a VET and has been for a long time, told me it was VERY UNUSUAL....I started to get a little worried. SO....once again I got on the internet to do more research!!! And I found you guys.

OH WHAT A RELIEF IT HAS BEEN!!! Tatum does the exact same thing as Buster. It usually happens in the morning after she has been sleeping. I am really at ease after reading and seeing all this information on all of your fur kids!!!

I just joined as a member so I could continue to read and communicate with you guys. Thanks a bunch and I look forward to all the knowledge and experience that is shared here!!
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  #73  
Old November 26th, 2007, 09:22 AM
Chanelbrown Chanelbrown is offline
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Chanel's Head Tremor

Attention Busters MOM!

I have a 3 year old fawn female boxer, her name is Chanel, When she turned close to the age of 1 she began to have a head tremor, it was very scray! I rushed her to a Vet where they looked at me as if I was nuts.

I changed Vets, and many sleep overs for Chanel at the vet as well as thousands of dollars, there was no cure and no one had witnessed her do what I was telling them.

Chanel does exactly what Buster does, at first although her head was an up and down, and as of 4am yesetrday it became a side to side motion and a little more faster than normal, her eyes appear the same as Busters, howveer she will nuzzel her head under my arm or any part of e possible.

She is now 3 and up until yesterday she had these tremors far and few and in between. Last night they began at 1 18am, then again at 5 56am lasted on and off till 6am, they are lasting longer and these past two days she has had so many I am, at a loss of what to do next.

I brought her to the er yesterday and they said this is her form of a seizure and recommended I place her on meds, My own vet said I would have to meet with a nuro to treat her and go from there, also I have been trying to find some holistic remedyes as well.

I think you and I have a ton in common, I am 25, this dog is my heart and soul and I just need help, as do you, I dont want to see her put on meds that are not needed and cause more harm than good, pleaserespond to me and let me know where Buster's condition stands at this moment and if you have had any more help.

Nikki
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  #74  
Old November 26th, 2007, 09:33 AM
Chanelbrown Chanelbrown is offline
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Any meds

I am wondering if at this point if anyone that has seen and lived the head tremors if they had gone to a secialist or if they have placed their baby on any meds, holistic, anything.....??/

PLEASE let me know

I have an apt on wed with a specialiost, although I am so concerned that all they will tell me is it is a form of a seizure and want to place Chanel on meds that have dangerous side effects...
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  #75  
Old January 28th, 2008, 08:34 PM
melodyh melodyh is offline
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9 years of head bobbing!

Hi - I'm the mom of a 9-yr-old bully breed (sometimes called Olde English Bulldogge)...just wanted to share my story. Lula began having head tremors as a puppy (just a few months old), and we freaked of course. The bobbing looks just like some of the videos posted here. Our vet was not too worried since she was completely alert and only seemed annoyed by our attempts to make her head stop bobbing! We were given the option to take her to a veterinary neurologist in Alabama, but we were young, poor college students in Atlanta--we just stuck it out. Nine years later, I have seen no ill effects from this condition. Lula has gone through phases of having tremors several days in a row, then nothing for a year or more. She has just begun doing it again, which may be related to the stress of our recent cross-country move (I feel like having my own tremors). I still try to distract her to stop the bobbing just because it's hard to watch. And, she's still annoyed by my attempts. I resolved myself long ago to the 'idiopathic head bobbing' answer, and have not worried too much about it. If any of you are being told the same thing by your vet, I hope you can feel confident in the diagnosis (or lack thereof, I guess). Good luck!
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  #76  
Old February 4th, 2008, 09:51 AM
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Pittie_mom Pittie_mom is offline
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So glad to find this info!

My 3 yr old Pit/American Bulldog mix started having these head tremors on Saturday. After seeing Buster's video, I'm positive that's what Shock had! I also took a video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?do...77803776&hl=en
I'm taking it in to show to his vet this afternoon.

I've only witnessed two of these episodes. The first was around 5:30pm and the 2nd (the video) was around 2am. The first one lasted about 2-3 minutes, but the 2nd one was a little over five minutes.

I worry constantly about him because he's already had 2 mast cell tumors removed and recently had problems with the scar from the first surgery opening back up (10 months post-op!) and the vet thinks the cancer may have metastasized. So....I was scared to death that the cancer had spread to his brain when this happened. Seeing the video of Buster definitely put my mind at ease that this is not related to the cancer. I'm going to have the vet check him out just be be on the safe side though...
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  #77  
Old February 4th, 2008, 05:12 PM
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chico2 chico2 is offline
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Oh,poor Shock,he looks confused and scared,the video tells it all..
I am sure your vet will appreciate seeing the video and go from there.
there is no new cancer
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  #78  
Old February 5th, 2008, 05:24 PM
julieV julieV is offline
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Unhappy head bobbing

That sure was quite the list of things that can cause convulsionsI also have a boxer and now I'm a little worried. If I were you I would insist that my vet at least did some blood work. Nobody wants to put their pet through stressful tests but if your worried it might put your mind at ease. Hopefully it isn't anything to worry about but at least if the vet runs a few tests you'll know for sure.I watched the video and I would be worried too.
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  #79  
Old February 12th, 2008, 12:38 AM
brunnilove brunnilove is offline
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I know this is an old post but i had the same experience with my american bull dog. Luckily I had a friend with a eng. bulldog who had also had this problem. so the first time it happened i was nervous but not to bad because i had heard of it. vets never seem to have any clue. I was told that bully breeds need more minerals and that eating a fish diet was best. I can also tell you that the first time it happened the do was exhausted. he was just under a year, playing with the family all day on a summer sunday! that night it was happening. this did occur maybe 2 more times within a year i guess of the first time. only if he was overplayed, maybe foods containg fish does help, i dont know but my dog is now 5 and has always had a fish ingredient in whatever food i give him ever since. so if anyone is going through this as well i would pass on the idea about the food! It cant hurt!!! hope this helps someone!
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  #80  
Old February 12th, 2008, 12:47 AM
brunnilove brunnilove is offline
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I Wish Vets Who Think There Is No Such Thing As This Bully Head Bobbing Thing Can See All Of These Dogs On This Site!!!! It Really Isn't That Rare I Guess. I Cannot Believe How Many!!

High Quality Dog Food Is Key!!!
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  #81  
Old March 4th, 2008, 02:33 PM
Roxi_Anne Roxi_Anne is offline
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Smile

We've never belonged to a chat before but seeing Buster compelled us to join immediately so I could share our story with you. We have a female Boxer who's about 7 -we got her at the shelter so we're not sure of her exact age. Her name is Roxi and she means the world to us. Her first head tremor was Jan. 5, 2008. We rushed to the vet and had a full work-up done. Blood, urine, stool, physical exam; it showed only what we already knew (she has a thyroid problem that causes excessive hunger and weight gain), everything was normal. So we thought perhaps it was a one time thing-maybe something in her ear? Then Friday morinig (Feb. 29th, 2008) it happened again for about three minutes. Pure terror struck us. As we were getting dressed to rush her to the vet it happened again-this time ~6min. When we got to the vet it happened again with the Vet present. She was treated with valium and I think phenobarb. That's when our quest for what was happening to her began. She was scheduled for an MRI for Monday but she had another 'seizure' Saturday night so we ran to the ER for valium. It is a liquid given anally. We thought it was helping. To make a long story shorter, Monday came and Roxi was hooked up to an ECG and had several arrhythmias. The cardiologist wanted to check her heart before we did the MRI because of a very dangerous and common disease actually called "boxer cardiomyopathy" which can be fatal. A lack of oxygen gets to the brain so the dog can have tremors and faint. Sometimes the first episode is the last. So to all you boxer lovers, please educate yourself on the symptoms of this disease. She was given a Holter belt (a big vest with electrodes that records her heart activity for 24 hours). This is the only way to diagnose boxer cardiomyopathy since X-rays and ultrasounds can be normal. We will be turning in her belt today. However, last night she had two 'seizures' only a couple of hours apart and the valium didn't seem to help. So again, I rush her off the the ER. While I was waiting for the vet I began searching her syptoms online which led me to bulldogsworld.com. My mind was blown! Roxi's exact symptoms with a response from a neurologist saying that it is idiopathic head bobbing and not to worry. We, like so many of you, have had lots of tests done with the results showing that there is nothing wrong with her that would explain the head movements. I will let you all know the results of her Holter belt readings which takes a couple of weeks to get back. Hopefully her heart will be okay. We will not be going forward with the MRI now that I have all this information from this forum. Thank you so much for posting the video of Buster. It probably saved my Roxi from alot more misery and anasthesia and blood draws. As soon as possible I will post a video of Roxi having one of her episodes and a photo of her with her Holter belt.
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  #82  
Old March 6th, 2008, 09:03 AM
aerial'smom aerial'smom is offline
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Aerial's head bobbling - saw a neurologist at Texas A&M

Hello all - I was so happy to find this post along with the video of what Buster was doing. I have a boxer - Aerial - who is about 4 years old. She was head bobbling (we joked she was a bobble head doll) on and off - only about 10 times in 2 years. I saw our regular vet. He was very helpful, but suggested we see a neurologist.

We went up to Texas A&M (the best vet clinic in the state of Texas - if not one of the top in the nation) and saw a neurologist. She diagnosed Aerial with 'head bobble syndrome'. She said it is common in Dobermans, and can be found in Boxers.

The course of actions she recommends was no medication. It is not a seizure or epilepsy (spelling?) or anything of that nature. She said it is not harmful to her health. The only thing she suggested is that if Aerial becomes unresponsive during an 'episode', then have an MRI. But since she is so responsive and 'normal' (besides the head bobbing), there is little we can do. Apparently, this syndrome has no cure or course of action.

I hope this helps all of you that have made posts. Aerial is my baby and I was very concerned. The neurologist put me at ease. If you live in Texas, visit the Texas A&M Small Animal Clinic. Here is their website:
http://www.cvm.tamu.edu/vscs/
If you are out of Texas, then you might consider a neurologist visit. I would be careful with medications from a regular vet to treat this.

Again, I hope this helps and I am happy that Aerial and I are not alone.
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  #83  
Old April 24th, 2008, 12:55 PM
bodietuckermom bodietuckermom is offline
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tucker head tremors

Hi everyone...I see this post dates back quite a ways. I've been up for nights searching for anything related to what our nearly 2 year old Austrailian Shepard/Border Collie Tucker has been doing. He too has had these head tremors. He's had 3 'episodes' of them so far, and is at the vet today. All 3 times have been at night, and he's been lying on his side. He looks at me while he's going through this. There is no eye-rolling, or eyes going side-to-side, there is not vomit or anything like that. I told my vet that while obviously disturbing to my husband and I, I wouldn't necessarily classify them as 'violent.' They last about 1 - 2 minutes and afterwards he seems completely fine.

I dont' feel like this is a full-blown seizure. But they are most definitely tremors. I actually had one nurse (over the phone) say, "Maybe he has water in his ear and is shaking it out." I think I know the difference between a voluntary head shake back-and-forth and an involuntary 1-2 minute tremor. That upset me.

I will let you know what the doctor finds out. It's nice to know that Tucker is not in this alone. For those that have posted in the past, how are things with your dogs now? Has anyone found a decisive cause or treatment for this?

Thanks so much. Whether you realize it or not, your support has helped me get through the last few days.
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  #84  
Old April 25th, 2008, 11:29 AM
bodietuckermom bodietuckermom is offline
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I thought I would update...

Tucker's blood tests and phsyical exam came back with flying colors. Unfortunately this morning he had another 'epidsode.' I called the vet and forwarded her Buster's video. Since she hadn't seen the bobbing, I think it was hard for her to understand. I described it as "Parkinsons-like."

We are going to see a great neurologist here in the Kansas City area on Thursday. I wish it was treatable. I understand that they may not be technically harming him if it is just head-bobbing syndrome, but I can tell he's scared, and I'm sure he can tell we're terribly scared too.

I worry about so many enviornmental factors coming into play - cleaning supplies, dog food, etc. We have always fed our other dog Science Diet, but it didnt' seem to agree with Tucker's system. He was raised on (we got him when he was 1yr. old) Iams, so we went back to that. I'm tempted to try to go back to the Science Diet Natural dog food. I'm hoping maybe change in diet might help. I'm desparate - I want my running partner, and napping partner back to his old self. :sad:

I will update what the neurologist said. Maybe it will be of some help to someone else.
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  #85  
Old May 10th, 2008, 05:59 PM
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meb999 meb999 is offline
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Hi everyone!

I never would have thought that a single thread could bring SO MUCH e-mails!
I get a few e-mails every month from fellow boxer (and other breeds) owners telling me how glad they are that they saw Buster's video and that their dog has the SAME thing. Everyone asks how Buster is doing, so I thought I'd come back and update on what I've done and how things have improved.

No one could give me a definate answer as to the cause of these mini-seizures. BUT I DID notice that it happens ALOT more after his heartworm medication is given. So, I stopped giving him heartworm pills. Before anyone jumps down my throat (as my vet did) -- Buster gets tested twice a year for heartworm -- so I'm not being careless about it. It's just that all those pesticides seem to make him sick

Also, I don't think food is an issue, because he was on a high grade hollistic food when this started.
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  #86  
Old May 10th, 2008, 07:57 PM
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pitgrrl pitgrrl is offline
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Originally Posted by meb999 View Post

No one could give me a definate answer as to the cause of these mini-seizures. BUT I DID notice that it happens ALOT more after his heartworm medication is given. So, I stopped giving him heartworm pills. Before anyone jumps down my throat (as my vet did) -- Buster gets tested twice a year for heartworm -- so I'm not being careless about it. It's just that all those pesticides seem to make him sick
I think I may have posted about this somewhere earlier in this thread, but I since you mentioned this I thought it would be worth adding my experience.

Streets had head tremors about 4 years ago. They started when I gave him his first dose of heartworm preventative for that summer. I saw 3 vets, one of which was a neurologist, and none could find a cause. On a hunch I didn't give him the next dose of the HW preventative and within a couple of weeks the tremors had stopped.

I haven't given any HW preventatives since and we've never seen another tremor.
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  #87  
Old May 11th, 2008, 06:58 PM
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erykah1310 erykah1310 is offline
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Ummm,
I dont know if this is going to help anyone at all, but after reading through this after experiencing it with a Boxer I was watching for a while and talking to some breeders/vets/rescues and others.

For this guy in particular it was a low blood sugar thing (not diabetes though). All we had to do for him was split his meals so he ate more frequently through out the day (same amount but less time in between meals). He is a very energetic boy and this has helped. ALOT.

I cant watch the vids (dial up) but by the sounds of things its pretty much the same thing this boy had.

Glad to report he hasnt done it since the "better" feeding schedual was made.
Hopefully this may help a few of these dogs
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  #88  
Old May 14th, 2008, 09:17 AM
werther werther is offline
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thanks for the update meb. My boxer (buttercup) is 8 mos old and had an episode exactly like buster's last night. (and also recently had heart-worm meds -heartguard.

You said that you stopped giving Buster Heart-worm medication, but did not state whether or not Buster was still experiencing the 'tremors'. You said that it seemed to happen a lot more after the medication so I can only infer that it still happens just less frequently without medication. Could you please clarify this. Thank you.
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  #89  
Old July 28th, 2008, 05:16 PM
cbcarlson1 cbcarlson1 is offline
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Head Tremors - 16 mo old Brit Spaniel

Our 16 mo old fm Brittany Spaniel just started the head tremors, they look just like Buster's. She has
had 5 episodes (that we know of) over 45 days, at various times of the day, usually lasting 1-2 min. The ones at nite (2 of the 5) seem to last longer.
Pupils are not dialated, eyes stay clear and bright, she seems to know something wierd is happening but not overly bothered. Our vet did a liver function test, says this can sometimes be a cause in young dogs, came back clear. Now we are trying the blood sugar route, small feedings every 4 hours, 2 of the 5 episodes were a few days into the new feeding shedule though. Vet's next suggestion is to videotape and send the tape to Wash State Univ College of Vet Med.

By the way, her 1st and most severe episode was 3 hrs after I put her
2nd (of (3) 30 day doses) of Frontline on her. And I happen to notice that
after her 1st dose, she had really runny stool. So in my mind, I have been
blaming Frontline...perhaps wrongly...but I won't ever use it on her again. I have used it on prior Brittanies and had no problem whatsoever.
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Old July 29th, 2008, 04:16 PM
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meb999 meb999 is offline
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You wouldn't BELIEVE how many e-mails I get from boxer owners (and other reeds) who seem to have the same problem...

To clarify (sorry I forgot the name of the pp who asked for this info...), Buster's head tremors went from 2-5 times a weeks to about once every 3-4 months without the heartworm meds. I don't think they are the root cause of the problem, but I do believe (for MY dog at least), they make things worse.
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