Idiopathic Head Tremors (in dogs)

[amc80]

Does anyone have experience with or knowledge about idiopathic head tremors? Our English Bulldog, Tater, has been getting them. We thought she was having seizures, but upon further research they appear to be these head tremors. When they happen, she's fully alert and responsive. It's as if she's nodding her head up and down uncontrollably. They last anywhere from 10 seconds to a couple of minutes. Her eyes remain focused and if we distract her it may even stop for a second. I can't seem to find any solid research about why they happen. Some say it's related to low blood sugar or calcium. Others say it can be stress induced. We had to put our other dog down last week (that dog was Tater's mom). Tater hadn't been eating her normal amount, like she's had a little doggy depression, so it's likely that both stress and low blood sugar could be factors. One thing I read was that giving the dog some karo syrup or honey can help regulate their sugar quickly when there's an episode. We just tried it and it seemed to work. Oh, this condition seems to be most common on the muscular breeds- bulldogs, boxers, etc.

Any advice or knowledge would be appreciated!

 

[lulu]

Louie has had them-not often-but they have occurred when he seems very relaxed, so I can't say they're related to stress but I don't know. I thought he was having seizures too. He does seem to have them less and less and he's 9 now.