AgileGSD
Posted : 5/20/2011 3:35:33 PM
My boss's Boxer has "Idiopathic Head Tremor Syndrome" and has occasional episodes of head tremors. That's exactly what Finn's twitching looks like to me. Head tremors are most common in Bulldogs, Boxers and Dobes but can affect other breeds and mixes too (search on Google or Youtube and you will see lots and lots of different breeds with head tremors). Some people seem to feel that it is related to a sudden drop in blood sugar and/or calcium. Others feel it is environmental or stress related. While it does seem seizure-like, anti-seizure drugs haven't proven effective in reducing the number or severity of the tremors.
Like all things idiopathic, the real cause is unknown. Dogs who have this tend to check out totally normal health wise - xrays, bloodwork, etc. The good news is that who have these head tremors live perfectly normal lives and the tremors don't lead to or predict further neurological problems.
A blurb in a vet manual: http://books.google.com/books?id=VT_Tnpt2hJAC&pg=PA122&lpg=PA122&dq=idiopathic+head+tremor+in+dogs&source=bl&ots=OJ0d-pDfkw&sig=VnK5JYYng7p31YNYer0RhXICfSc&hl=en&ei=yczWTYeBLYG_gQeOkKmrBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CFQQ6AEwCDgU#v=onepage&q=idiopathic%20head%20tremor%20in%20dogs&f=false
Here is a page with lots of info from Bulldog people: http://www.bulldogsworld.com/health-and-medical/head-tremors-bulldog-partial-focal-seizures-paroxysmal-dyskinesia
And from an Ask the Vet...
http://readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=59968
Video of a Dane with head tremors: http://savagedane.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html
Video of Boxer with head tremors: http://www.hitowerboxers.com/apps/videos/videos/show/7311345-boxer-head-tremors
This was posted to a Dobe board about it:
"Anyone experiencing head tremors in Dobermanns and who have not been able to find out anything about it, please rest easy.
Unfortunatly this condition seems to be on the increase and breeders are
less than forthcoming in making it know, apparently Bulldogs are prone
to it.
Below is a copy of an email to from Dr WB Thomas to me permission to
reproduce is granted, I hope this give some relief to those who have
found themselves with a dog with this condition.
A syndrome called “idiopathic head tremor”, for lack
of a better name, has been recognized in dogs.
Dobermans are most commonly affected, with English
bulldogs being also common. Other breeds can also be
affected.
Signs consist of an intermittent tremor of the head. This
can be an up-and-down movement or a side-to-side
movement. The tremor starts and stops spontaneously.
The dogs are alert and responsive during the tremor
and are able to walk normally. In some cases,
distracting the dog, for example with food, can stop the
tremor.
Diagnostic testing, including CT/MRI, spinal fluid
analysis, and EEG are typically normal. Affected dogs
do not develop other neurologic signs. There is no
treatment but the episodes sometimes eventually stop.
This has been discussed among neurologists and
nobody really agrees on the nature of these episodes.
They may be focal seizures, but they rarely respond to
anti-seizure drugs. Another theory is that this is a
movement disorder. A behavior disorder, such as
stereotypy has also been postulated. I have seen
related Dobermans affected, suggesting there may be a
genetic component.
WB Thomas DVM,MS
Dipl.ACVIM(Neurology)
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN" http://www.gentledoberman.com/forums/head-tremors