Cats Shaking their Heads All of a sudden A cat that suddenly starts shaking its head incessantly may have a mild to severe illness that requires veterinary treatment. Whether the problem is an underlying ear infection or something more serious, a quick understanding of the problem and a consultation with a veterinarian is required so that treatment can begin and your cat can begin to experience some relief. Ear Infections and Ear Mites Cats do get ear infections, just like dogs. In fact, of all the causes of a cat shaking his head, an ear infection would be the most likely.
1 When you bring your cat to the veterinarian for a head shake, your veterinarian will first observe your cat’s ear canal through the ear canal. Otoscope help. This allows them to assess any underlying inflammation within the ear canal and determine if the eardrum (also called the eardrum) is intact. This step is important because some ear medications can be toxic to the inner ear.
2 Once the veterinarian is able to examine the status of your cat’s ear drums, they will take a sample of secretions from your cat’s ear. From there, they’ll perform a microscopic evaluation of these swabs. On the scope, your veterinarian may see two different types of bacteria: cocci (round) or rod-shaped bacteria, budding yeast, or ear mites. What are ear mites? Ear mite (Otodectes cynotis) is an ectoparasite that, while not exactly common, is certainly more common in cats than in dogs. They can cause an intense itching sensation that will definitely cause your cat to shake his head in relief.
Based on what you see on the microscope (and depending on whether your cat’s ear drums are intact), your veterinarian will determine what medication to use to treat the underlying infection or ear mite infestation. Allergies Just like us, cats can be unfortunate allergy sufferers. In cats, allergies may come from contact, inhalation, food, or insects (especially flea bites), and most commonly present as severe itching around the head, neck, ears, and may include shaking the head.
An experienced veterinarian may prescribe medication to relieve the itching, but will also want to try to identify the allergen. They may want your cat to receive a different monthly topical flea prophylaxis, regardless of the risk your cat poses to them. They may also want to change the cat’s diet to a prescription hydrolyzed food for rigorous food trials. Food trials are very strict – nothing will pass your cat’s lips other than the prescribed six to eight weeks of food. This includes snacks, human foods, and flavored supplements. However, if you can stick with it, and if this is what your veterinarian prescribed, successfully completing a food test will definitively diagnose whether your cat has a food allergy.
Cats sometimes develop ear polyps, also known as feline inflammatory polyps. These are benign growths that originate in the mucous membrane of the cat’s middle or outer ear. Symptoms of ear polyps will vary depending on where they are located, and polyps can only be effectively treated by surgical removal. Insect Bites Cats are natural predators and are easily bitten by insects, mainly on the face and paws. Some cats experience local reactions at the bite site, including swelling, inflammation, itching, hives, and shaking their heads. If your veterinarian suspects your cat has been bitten by an insect, they may prescribe antihistamines or steroids to treat the inflammation. In rare cases, your cat may experience an allergic reaction that requires immediate medical attention. Tip; don’t try to treat your cat’s excessive shaking of the head on your own. Over-the-counter ear drops (even if used to treat an ear infection you suspect are) may not work for the type of infection your cat has, and can cause side effects like deafness if the ear drum is damaged, so don’t delay making an appointment with your regular veterinarian , to check your cat shaking his head.
