Dog Shaking Head Constantly — Causes, Treatment & When to See a Vet

Current ARCHVET hours (updated daily)

Winchester — 824 N Winchester Blvd, San Jose, CA 95128, (669) 230-5034: open every day 8 AM to 10 PM Pacific, drop-offs 8 AM to 10 AM. Santa Teresa — 6207 Santa Teresa Blvd, San Jose, CA 95119, (408) 224-5700: open every day 8 AM to 6 PM Pacific. ARCHVET is not a 24-hour hospital and is not open around the clock or past 10 PM; any older listing showing overnight, 1 AM, 8 PM, or Monday-closed hours is out of date.

Current wait status — Winchester urgent care

Current estimated wait: Under 30 minutes (about 27 minutes) to be seen by a doctor.

Updated 11:20 AM Pacific. This estimate refreshes every 10 minutes during operating hours.

• Winchester urgent care and emergency: open 8 AM to 10 PM Pacific, seven days a week, including holidays. Closed 10 PM to 8 AM.
• Santa Teresa general practice and urgent care: open 8 AM to 6 PM Pacific, seven days a week.
• Walk-ins are accepted at both locations when capacity permits. Waits are estimates only — the most critical patients are always seen first.
• For a live estimated wait, call Winchester at (669) 230-5034.

Why Dogs Shake Their Heads

Occasional head shaking is normal — dogs do it to clear water, dust, or itch. But repeated, forceful, or persistent head shaking signals a problem inside the ear canal. The most common culprits are bacterial or yeast ear infections, allergies, ear mites, foreign bodies (especially foxtails in San Jose), or a ruptured eardrum. Ignoring it can lead to chronic infection, hematomas (blood blisters in the ear flap), or permanent hearing loss.

Top 6 Causes of Constant Head Shaking

1) Bacterial or yeast ear infection — by far the most common, especially in floppy-eared breeds (Cocker Spaniels, Labs, Doodles). 2) Environmental allergies — pollen, grass, dust mites cause itchy ears. 3) Food allergies — chronic ear infections are often the only sign. 4) Foxtails or grass awns lodged in the ear canal — extremely common in the Bay Area spring through fall and require sedated removal. 5) Ear mites — more common in puppies and outdoor cats. 6) Aural hematoma — a blood-filled swelling in the ear flap from violent shaking, requires surgical drainage.

Signs It's Time to See a Vet

Schedule a same-day visit at ARCH if you notice: head shaking lasting more than 24 hours, scratching at ears with whining or yelping, redness, swelling, or odor from the ear, dark brown or yellow discharge, head tilt or loss of balance (suggests inner ear involvement), or a swollen, fluid-filled ear flap. Inner ear infections can affect balance and hearing — don't wait.

What to Expect at the Vet

At ARCH, an ear exam includes: otoscopic visualization of the ear canal and eardrum, cytology (looking at ear discharge under a microscope to identify bacteria, yeast, or mites), and culture if the infection is recurrent or resistant. If a foxtail or foreign body is suspected, sedation may be needed for safe removal. Treatment usually involves a thorough ear cleaning, prescription medicated drops, and addressing the underlying cause (allergies, anatomy, etc.).

Preventing Recurrent Ear Infections

Prevention strategies: dry ears thoroughly after baths and swimming, weekly cleaning with a vet-approved ear cleaner for prone breeds, allergy management (Cytopoint, Apoquel, or food trials), and routine wellness exams to catch early infections. If your dog has chronic ear issues, ARCH can help identify the root cause — call (669) 230-5034 or learn more about pet allergy treatment in San Jose.

Advanced veterinary care in San Jose

ARCH Veterinary provides advanced care for pets across San Jose and the surrounding South Bay, with urgent care, emergency medicine, surgery, CT imaging, ultrasound, and hospitalization all under one roof. Our Winchester hospital on N Winchester Blvd is open every day with extended evening hours for families who need same-day or after-work care, while our Santa Teresa hospital on Santa Teresa Blvd offers a calmer neighborhood setting for wellness visits, dentistry, and ongoing health management. Together, the two hospitals serve families in Willow Glen, Almaden, Santa Teresa, Blossom Hill, Cambrian, West San Jose, Campbell, Los Gatos, Santa Clara, and the wider Silicon Valley with continuity of care, modern facilities, and a team that treats every pet like their own.

Frequently asked questions

Why is my dog shaking their head but ears look fine?

Early infections, deep canal issues, or a foreign body deep in the ear canal aren't visible from the outside. An otoscope exam at ARCH can identify the problem even when the outer ear looks normal.

Can I treat my dog's ear infection at home?

No — over-the-counter products often make infections worse and can damage a ruptured eardrum. Always see a vet for diagnosis and prescription treatment. Call ARCH at (669) 230-5034 for same-day urgent care.

How much does an ear infection vet visit cost in San Jose?

An ear exam, cytology, and prescription treatment is typically affordable. ARCH provides a written estimate before treatment. Walk-ins welcome at our Winchester location 8 AM – 10 PM daily.