Ear infections
Warm, moist ear canals breed yeast and bacteria, especially in floppy-eared breeds like Labradors and Cocker Spaniels. Infection causes inflammation, discharge, and intense head shaking.
Dog Symptom
My Dog Keeps Shaking Their Head — Online Vet Help
Head shaking almost always points to ear discomfort. Get a same-day assessment and prescription ear treatment before a minor irritation becomes a painful infection.
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Moderate urgency — consult a vet within 24–48 hours
Ear problems behind head shaking
Expert online help when your dog keeps shaking their head
Licensed vet inspects ear appearance and discharge on video
Same-day prescription ear medications available
Allergy and swimming history reviewed
$65 flat fee — no hidden costs
Guidance on safe ear cleaning technique
Referral criteria for deep ear infections or hematomas
Occasional head shaking after a bath is normal. Persistent shaking — especially with pawing at ears, odor, or brown/yellow discharge — indicates otitis that responds best to early treatment.
TelaVets veterinarians evaluate ear redness, swelling, and discharge on camera, then prescribe topical ear drops (antifungal, antibiotic, or steroid combinations) and address underlying allergies when needed.
Signs to watch for when your dog is head shaking
- Repeated vigorous head shaking
- Pawing or scratching at one or both ears
- Brown, yellow, or bloody ear discharge
- Foul odor from the ears
- Red, swollen ear canal or pinna
- Head tilt or loss of balance
- Crying when ears are touched
- Swollen ear flap (aural hematoma)
Common causes of head shaking in dogs
- Bacterial otitis externa
- Yeast (Malassezia) ear infection
- Ear mites
- Allergies (atopic dermatitis)
- Water trapped in ear canal after swimming
- Foreign body (grass awn, foxtail)
- Hypothyroidism
- Excessive ear hair or narrow canals (floppy-eared breeds)
Why is my dog head shaking?
Treating the infection alone without addressing allergies often leads to recurrence. Our vets target both the acute flare and the underlying predisposition.
Allergic inflammation
Environmental and food allergies inflame the skin lining the ear canal, creating a favorable environment for secondary yeast and bacterial overgrowth.
Mechanical irritation
Swimming, improper cleaning, foreign material, and ear mites physically irritate the canal and trigger the head-shake reflex.
How our vets assess this online
Visual ear assessment on video combined with discharge description allows our vets to prescribe appropriate topical therapy for most uncomplicated otitis cases.
- Ear discharge color and odor described and shown on camera
- One-sided vs. bilateral shaking noted
- Swimming, grooming, and allergy history reviewed
- Ear pinna examined for swelling or hematoma
- Guidance on in-clinic ear cytology or culture if infection recurs
Treatments we may recommend
Most ear infections clear within 1–2 weeks with consistent topical medication and proper cleaning. Our vets provide step-by-step ear treatment instructions during your consultation.
Prescription ear drops (antibiotic/antifungal/steroid combos)
Oral antifungal (ketoconazole) for severe yeast otitis
Ear cleaning solution and technique demonstration
Allergy management (Apoquel, antihistamines) for recurrent cases
Ear mite treatment (selamectin, ivermectin)
Pain medication if ears are extremely inflamed
Referral for aural hematoma repair or deep otitis workup
All medications are prescribed only when clinically appropriate by a licensed veterinarian and dispensed through our FDA-compliant pharmacy.
Keeping your dog's ears healthy
Dry ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing
Use vet-approved ear cleaner for routine maintenance
Manage underlying allergies to reduce ear flare-ups
Avoid inserting cotton swabs deep into the ear canal
Schedule regular ear checks for floppy-eared breeds
Why pet parents choose TelaVets
Licensed DVMs Only
Every consultation is with a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine — not a chatbot or technician.
$65 Flat Fee
One transparent price covers your full video consultation and treatment plan. No facility fees or surprise charges.
Same-Day Appointments
Most pet parents are connected with a vet within 1–3 hours of booking, 7 days a week.
Next-Day Prescriptions
When medication is appropriate, prescriptions are issued same-day and delivered to your door next business day.
Stress-Free Home Visits
Your pet is assessed in their calm home environment, which often makes symptoms easier to evaluate on video.
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Encrypted video calls and HIPAA-compliant records keep your pet's health information protected.
How TelaVets works
Book your consultation
Pick a same-day or upcoming slot — appointments available 7 days a week.
Connect with a licensed vet
Your vet assesses your pet via secure video, asks detailed questions, and reviews their history.
Get your treatment plan
Receive a diagnosis, personalised care plan, and same-day prescriptions delivered next-day.
What Our Pet Parents Say
Join thousands of happy pet parents who trust TelaVets for their furry family members care
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
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Frequently asked questions about head shaking in dogs
head shaking in dogs can have many causes. Our licensed vets use your pet's history, symptom pattern, and a visual assessment via video to narrow down the most likely cause and recommend appropriate treatment.
If your dog's head shaking has lasted more than 24–48 hours, is severe, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms (lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting), book a consultation immediately.
Yes. Our vets can assess your dog's symptoms via secure video, ask detailed diagnostic questions, and prescribe appropriate treatment — all without a clinic visit.
If medication is clinically appropriate, our licensed vets can issue prescriptions same-day with next-day delivery to your home.
Mild head shaking often isn't an emergency, but if your dog shows severe distress, difficulty breathing, collapse, or other alarming signs, seek emergency in-person care immediately. When in doubt, book a consultation — our vets will help you assess the urgency.
Get expert help for your dog's head shaking today
Same-day appointments — $65 flat fee — licensed vets