Moving head side to side, tongue curled

[baileyBooBear]

My 6 yr old yorkie is moving his head side to side continuously. At times he acts like hes panting but his tongue curls upward. When I put him down he will go in circles. He doesnt seem to be in any pain, could he have had a stroke? He has not had any infections or been previously ill. His eyes are not moving back and forth, just his head, like he's tracking something close to his face like a fly, etc. I also have 2 other dogs and a cat who are acting normal. Though now is is doing circles around the bed, under and out and he isnt having trouble balancing at all.

[nansyorkies]

please call your vet. it could be anything. my brutis got smacked by a cat at the kennel where i got my miss fergie. showed no signs of injury til next morning, he had gotten hit in the eye, hollered when you touched the side of his head, or if he tried to shake his head. please let me know how he is doing.

[Lacy's Mom]

I would definitely be worried about this behavior and think you need to consult a vet. One of my Yorkie's tongue does curl when he pants like when riding in the car before he settles down. I found this on stages of a seizure - if you look under the "aura" stage it sounds like what you are describing.

Stages of a Seizure
There are 4 basic stages to a seizure: 1) the prodome, 2) the aura or preictus, 3) the ictus or seizure stage, and 4) the postictus.
1) The prodome may precede the actual seizure by hours or days. It is characterized by a change in mood or behavior. Human epileptics experience mood changes, headaches, insomnia or feelings about the impending seizure. It is not known whether animals experience a prodome except for any behavioral changes observed by their owners.

2) The aura signals the start of the seizure. Signs include restlessness, nervousness, whining, trembling, salivation, affection, wandering, hiding, hysterical running, and apprehension.

3) The ictus is the actual seizure, characterized by sudden increase in tone of all muscle groups. The ictus is either tonic or tonic-clonic, generally lasting from 1-3 minutes.

4) The postictus may be the only sign of epilepsy the owner sees, particularly since many seizures occur at night or early in the morning. For minutes to days after the seizure, the dog may be confused, disoriented, restless, or unresponsive, or may wander or suffer from transient blindness. At this stage the animal is conscious but not functional. (Shell, Understanding; Kay; Oliver, Seizures).

What can you do when your dog seizures? Note the time to determine how long the seizure lasts. Keep the dog as quiet as possible. Loud or sharp noises may prolong the seizure or make it worse. Other dogs should be removed from the area, as they may disturb or attack the seizuring dog. Should you attempt to comfort the animal? Opinions on this vary. My own dog is comforted by my presence and looks for me as he returns to consciousness. I make a point of calmly maintaining physical and voice contact with him throughout the seizure and during recovery.

[Lacy's Mom]

How is your baby today?

[chachi]

There was a cat at a kennel where I got my himilayan that ran in circles like that and the breeder said it had a neurological disorder. The cat had taken a fall

[Sugar's Mom]

Originally Posted by baileyBooBear

My 6 yr old yorkie is moving his head side to side continuously. At times he acts like hes panting but his tongue curls upward. When I put him down he will go in circles. He doesnt seem to be in any pain, could he have had a stroke? He has not had any infections or been previously ill. His eyes are not moving back and forth, just his head, like he's tracking something close to his face like a fly, etc. I also have 2 other dogs and a cat who are acting normal. Though now is is doing circles around the bed, under and out and he isnt having trouble balancing at all.

i have seen dogs act this way when they have ear mites. have him vet checked and let us know please what is going on.

[Lacy's Mom]

Mites could be a possibility. Look in the ears for a dark crumbly substance. With close inspection you can see the little white mites in the material. You can clean the ear with mineral oil on a cotton ball, but this is only until you can get into a vet.

[ilovelouie]

I hope your little one is doing better. I agree with the others get him to a vet asap! Good luck and keep us posted....he sure is a cutie pie.

[lucylola]

there was a yorkie at my work about a month ago with the same symptoms...it sounds neurologic just like that one was..she went for an MRI, i would see your vet and maybe be referred to a neurologist

[Lacy's Mom]

Checking for an update on Bailey - how is he doing?

[Emmsmom]

AWW. I can't offer any help but I hope your little feels better soon.

[txshopper73]

With head injuries or neurological disorders, they will walk in a tight circle. Hugs to your baby.

[tammy8833]

my yorkie/pom "little girl" (looks like yorkie) has always curled her tongue when panting but you pups sounds like it is having more things going on then just that, so yes take em to the vet ...good luck i hope he/she will be okay!!!

[YorkieRose]

When dogs pant and curl their tongues they are in distress of some sort..it can be the heat, anxiety, stress or pain..please have the vet check him over..the circling can be a sign of pain or serious problems. Dogs do not yelp in pain unless they have a broken bone or something like that..it could be his teeth..an abcess.

[baileyBooBear]

Thank you everyone for your concern and replys. Let me tell you first off that he is just fine and back to normal. We still are not sure what happened to him. His behavior continued through the night. The next morning all was back to normal and has been since that Sunday. All of his tests came back normal and he shows no ill effects or has had any more of what I call an "episode". I'm thinking he was having some sort of nervous spaz attack.

Shortly after I posted my concern I went ahead and took boobear to the only after hours emergency center in my area. They took him in right away while my son and I waited anxiously. After what seemed like forever the doctor spoke with me briefly, she didnt know what could be wrong with him, she was assumming he had gotten into something that made him sick. Aside from the fact that I had been home with him all day, boo isnt one to nosey around, he is content napping on pillows or playing with Sophie (my 15 yr old poodle). I know for a fact he did not "get into something".

After the doctor left me the nurse came in with 2 pages of tests they wanted to run with the total being $800. Keep in mind these were just the tests, the price didnt include any treatment. I tell her that no way can I pay the $800 today, I simply didnt have it. She just looked at me, then said, "you do know your dog is critical dont you?" Up to this point I had remained calm but still very concerned for his health. The doctor who I just spoke with did not mention or express any critical concerns, just that he maybe got into something. She certainly didnt tell me that if i didnt admit him he could die!
So now of course im in tears, she left for a moment then returned and said they could do fewer tests and the new price will be $237. Ok, I said, I can pay that today, and I assummed they would run the tests I could afford.
But they kept telling me this price is only for tests and no treatment. Im like fine, do the tests, get in there, hes critical! She left and returned again with another lower price of $189 again with a reminder this is just for test and no treatment. Basically they were telling me I need to pay the $800 and admit him or take him home. So I got my boobear and with mixed emotions we headed home. It was early evening and a pretty bad storm had just moved through. In my head I was arguing with myself over the fact that he could die before we got home, because of the moment of what started as a relaxing sunday afternoon, I didnt have $800 on me. In my gut I felt he would be ok and made a wish for him on the rainbow. Sounds silly, I was hoping and praying, not knowing what else I could do for him.

Looking back on this experience, the more I think about the emergency vet the more it upsets me. I feel like they play your emotions knowing that if your there then you would do anything to help your pet. They hit you with unbelievable charges and if you cant pay it they tell you your pet could die and make you sign a release then send you on your way.

Thanks again for your concerns.