Do dogs have headaches? How not to miss dangerous symptoms

If you're prone to headaches, you know the inconvenience, embarrassment and downright pain they bring. Although it is usually mistaken as a minor problem that will go away on its own, many doctors will tell you how severe headaches can be. Imagine how you must feel when you experience this pain, but you cannot convey it to your student, what is the problem.

For those owners who notice any unusual symptoms in their dogs, you should consider whether your dog suffers from headaches or even migraines. So, do dogs get headaches? Read on to find out the latest theories regarding headaches in dogs.

Can dogs get headaches?

Because there are no tests that can be done to diagnose migraines, other than a first-person perspective of what they feel, there is no definitive way to tell whether dogs might have headaches. However, as anyone with a non-physical or non-physical condition will tell you; just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't there.

What we do have are patterns of behavior and symptoms that can indicate pain and its location. Just as you can tell if your puppy has paw problems by his licking of his pads or the way he avoids stepping on his paw, which could make the problem worse, we can see if dogs experience headache-like pain. . This means that even if there is no concrete evidence that your dog is suffering from a headache, we can infer a problem from his body language and our own sense of empathy.

Although there is nothing that directly indicates pain in the skull or anything like that, we can still see that there is a problem similar to either a headache or a headache itself. This belief is universal among almost all veterinarians, and this is why veterinarians are trained to manage headaches in all animals, not just dogs. This belief is supported when one considers that many of the treatments aimed at curing headaches have worked, which they certainly would not have done if the problem had not been a headache in the first place.

In fact, many physical problems in dogs were brought to the attention of veterinarians when they viewed headaches as a symptom of a larger problem, causing them to explore many avenues of treatment in the same way that a doctor would try to cure us humans for chronic illnesses. This has led to successful diagnosis and treatment of everything from cancerous tumors to concussions.

In short, many veterinarians agree that dogs can indeed experience headaches, and they use these headaches to successfully treat and work with many dogs suffering from headache symptoms. This may be a separate problem or part of a larger problem that is being investigated and solved.

Clinical manifestations

First of all, you should be alert to any changes in your dog's behavior. If he has become aggressive, withdrawn and simply strange, it’s time to sound the alarm. Dogs suffering from headaches are often characterized by severe photophobia: they try to hide in a corner somewhere, and avoid leaving the house on a sunny day. In addition, the dog seems to be protecting his head: his gait is wooden, he does not make sudden movements. Of course, animals with this pathology do not suffer from increased appetite, so the food in the bowl most often remains untouched. Thirst persists (mostly).

A dog (especially a puppy) with a severe migraine may constantly, thinly and protractedly whine. The eyes are cloudy, traces of hemorrhages may be visible on the eyeball, all blood vessels “swell” and are clearly visible on the cornea. The latter, by the way, may very well be signs of glaucoma. With this ophthalmological disease, intraocular pressure sharply increases, and therefore headaches in dogs are not excluded at all. In cases where migraine is a symptom of some serious brain damage, constant, purposeful walking in a circle is possible. It’s really bad if the dog rests its head against a pole or any other obstacle. With a migraine, animals may sigh constantly, breathe quickly and heavily. Some veterinarians believe that it is quite common for a dog to bark because of a headache. A constant, suppressed growl is possible; the dog may even rub its head with its paws, as if trying to get rid of the source of its suffering.

So what should you do if you notice something like this in your pet? Of course, immediately contact the nearest veterinary clinic! We strongly advise against giving your dog any painkillers on your own, as this can lead to very unpleasant and sad consequences.

Headache symptoms

You may recognize some symptoms of headaches from your own experience with this unpleasant illness, such as a desire to be alone or worries. Of course, they are not all-inclusive as headaches can manifest in different ways and in a number of areas around the skull. However, most professionals agree that headache symptoms in dogs likely include :

Sensitivity to light . Sensitivity to light is often a clear sign of headaches in dogs unless any eye problems have been ruled out.
The dog wants to be alone . Avoid dogs from both owners and strangers as your pet will likely want some alone time as they are in pain and stressed. This is a common symptom of any pain, so it can easily be classified as a headache when there is no apparent physical reason for this behavior.
Anxiety . This manifests itself in their behavior, such as walking, drooling, or hiding. If this happens when your dog has no reason to act anxious, it may be due to an unseen problem, such as a headache.
Frequent sleep . This is an effective method for dogs that are in pain, as they will often try to "wait out" the painful period by sleeping off the pain. If you notice that your dog is napping more often even though his mental and physical stimulation remains the same, this may be a sign that your dog is suffering from headaches.
Lack of interest in food . As you can imagine, a dog that is in pain is unlikely to be interested in food. This may be especially true during headaches, as the pressure caused by chewing, as well as the sounds and vibrations caused by chewing around the skull, can increase the pain.
Walks with his head down . This may be your dog's way of reducing distress, but this position is often a sign of severe pain. This could be a sign of pressure in the neck, which is not too different from our own stress headaches, which occur at the base of the skull.

As you can probably tell, these symptoms can clearly indicate that something is wrong with your puppy, but there is no way to know that they are directly related to the headaches unless everything else has been addressed first. Since many of these symptoms are associated with more serious problems, it is vital that you take your dog to the vet if you notice any of them, especially if they occur more regularly.

How do you know if your dog is in pain?

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How much many dog owners would pay so that their beloved pets could talk! How many interesting things dogs and their owners could tell each other! But, of course, there are no miracles; however, a sensitive and attentive owner, based on a number of many, many signs, direct and indirect, will always be able to determine how his pet is feeling.

Today's article will hopefully help you understand that your pet may be experiencing pain and suffering, and urgent professional intervention is needed to help the animal.

The most important symptom is the animal's lack of appetite. If your dog refuses to eat or has serious problems with eating, you should contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Pay close attention to your pet's behavior. Please note: Your dog, who was previously cheerful, sociable and energetic, may have begun to seek solitude, tend to hide under the bed, or avoid people altogether. Of course, first you need to exclude problems of a psychological nature - perhaps the animal has experienced severe stressful situations. If not, and moreover, this pattern of behavior manifests itself within two to three days, immediately consult a veterinarian. The desire for solitude and unsociability in dogs is usually a sign of serious pain experienced by the animal.

Do you have an affectionate dog? Does she like to be stroked, and in certain places? And now your pet, in complete well-being, avoids any contact, even growls angrily at times when you try to touch it. It may not even be a growl, but a plaintive whine, and sometimes the soulful look of your dog can tell more than a thousand words. You can also accidentally touch the dog's sore spot, so much so that the animal literally jumps in pain. Remember this place, describe all the symptoms at your veterinarian appointment. One way or another, a dog’s avoidance of any form of contact with its owner can indicate with almost one hundred percent certainty that the animal is in pain.

Sometimes you can notice that the dog cannot get comfortable in any place - he constantly gets up, looks for another, then a third place, and so on. This is also a sure sign that the animal is in pain; the dog is simply looking for a comfortable position in which the pain will not be felt so much.

We repeat, the life and health of your pet is in your hands. Dogs, unfortunately, will never learn to speak and will never find their own way to the veterinarian. Dogs entrust their lives and health, as well as their hearts, to us, and we should cherish this love. An owner's understanding of their pet's body language will help maintain its health for many years.

Original publication: How to Tell if a Dog is in Pain. Author: Melissa Maroff Source and photo:

Reasons why your dog has a headache

Just like us humans, the reasons why your dog may suffer from headaches can vary greatly, but some of the most common causes of pain in dogs include :

Trauma . Naturally, any fractures can cause pressure, which in turn can cause severe headaches. If your puppy has recently suffered a neck injury, you should take him to the vet immediately to rule out any serious problems.
Hormonal/chemical imbalance . An excess of one hormone or another can cause headaches in any animal. It may also be due to problems related to the kidneys, liver, stomach and brain, which can release chemicals that can affect both the brain itself and pain receptors, leading to headaches.
Dental problems . Because teeth are home to many nerve endings and are directly connected to the jaw and skull, dental problems can be a common cause of headaches in dogs.
Exposure to external chemicals . If your dog has likely eaten a plant or animal that has come into contact with chemicals such as pesticides, they may be suffering from headaches as part of a wider set of symptoms. They may also suffer from headaches from exposure to carbon monoxide, MSG and large amounts of nitrates or similar chemicals.

These are just some of the reasons why dogs can experience headaches, and there are many other reasons that are symptoms of more serious problems such as tumors or even something as simple as stress. As you probably already know, the only way to get a definitive answer as to why your dog may be suffering from headaches is to make an appointment with your local veterinarian, who can run some basic tests and give you a proper assessment—a diagnosis.

What can I give my dog for headaches?

Treatment for headaches in dogs varies depending on the symptoms and causes, as there are so many reasons why your dog may suffer from headaches, and therefore, so many different ways to treat these problems. However, regardless of the cause, if your dog has been diagnosed with headaches or your veterinarian thinks your pup may be suffering from headaches as part of a larger problem, there are a few things you can do to help.

First, it is important to respect the dog's space. As you can imagine, excessive petting or fussing during pain is not ideal and can cause your dog more stress, which can worsen his headache or even make him aggressive. In particular, you should avoid petting their head, especially if the headache is caused by an injury or some kind of internal pressure, as you may cause your dog more pain.

Then follow your veterinarian's advice carefully, giving your dog pain medications when prescribed and making sure their medications are working effectively. If your veterinarian gives you permission, use a hot or cold compress at the base of your dog's neck, which will help drain blood from the head and relieve some of the pressure your dog may be experiencing.

You can also help your dog by providing him with a cool, dark space to retreat from. Giving them a quiet place to rest is the best way to help them recover faster - after all, that's what we all want.

Author of the article : Olivia Williams.