My dog pressed his head to the wall once and I called the vet before the second time. Head pressing in dogs is a sign of pain in the head or neck, not a quirk, and the call should be soon.
This behavior, in which a pet adopts a compulsive tendency to place its head against a solid object for long periods of time, is called “head pressing.”
Symptoms
Besides head pressing, dogs and cats may also exhibit the following symptoms:
- Pacing and circling
- Seizures
- Behavior changes
- Impaired reflexes
- Vision problems
Head pressing can be a symptom of many diseases, but it’s most commonly some sort of damage to the nervous system, or it could toxicity due to liver damage. Brain damage, tumors, toxic poisoning, or stroke are also common causes.
Causes
Head pressing can be caused by a number of different conditions, including:
- Metabolic disorders (such as too much or too little sodium)
- Tumors
- Nervous system infection (such as rabies or fungus)
- Head trauma
- Exposure to toxins (such as lead)
“Head pressing” and “head butting” are not the same thing. “Head Butting” is when your pet rubs its head against you to show affection.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Your vet may perform an examination of the retina and other parts of the back of the eye to look for signs of disease. Your vet may also take a blood pressure measurement, and blood and urine specimens. CT and MRI scans of the brain may also be performed. Treatment varies according to the cause and severity of the condition. Your pet may require immediate treatment and hospitalization, but no specific treatment can be administered until a definitive diagnosis is reached. Long-term care will depend on the diagnosis, with your vet scheduling follow-up neurological exams to check on progress.
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Head pressing in dogs is a sign of pain in the head or neck, not a quirk. The call to the vet should be soon.
