When our fox red Lab, Tess, reached her twilight years she began staring at the wall sometimes.
A dog gazing into a corner or into space on occasion isn’t a big cause for concern. But a dog staring at the wall for long periods, or who presses their head against the wall, is showing signs of a problem.
Dementia, depression or serious neurological conditions all need to be considered.
Contents
- Disease can cause head pressing
- Signs of dementia in older dogs
- Canine depression is real
- Vestibular disease in dogs
Head Pressing In Dogs
I am afraid that the action of a dog head pressing usually indicates something is wrong with your pet. The same holds true of a dog walking into walls or a dog running into wall or doors.
Dog head pressing is a sign of various canine conditions. Among them are brain tumors, head trauma, encephalitis, nervous system infection, exposure to toxins or poisons and metabolic issues. Dog head pressing may also result from a vascular accident, better known as a stroke.
Having a stroke is not as common in canines as in people, but there are risk factors for dogs. These include metabolic issues such as Cushing’s disease or kidney failure. If your female dog receives Prion or phenylpropanolamine for incontinence, she is at a higher risk for stroke. In fact, this drug is no longer available for human use due to the stroke risk.
Emergency Vet Visits
Take your dog to the nearest veterinary emergency hospital immediately if you see him or her doing it. Diagnostic testing is necessary to get to the bottom of your dog’s head pressing to devise the best treatment plan.
The diagnostic tests for head pressing in dogs include blood tests, blood pressure levels and a urinalysis. The veterinarian will likely have the dog undergo an MRI. An examination of the dog’s eyes is also conducted.
Prosencephalon disease in dogs
A dog head pressing may have prosencephalon disease, a brain disorder. This disease affects the canine thalamus and forebrain. The thalamus regulates activity and sensory information, while the forebrain – the prosencephalon – makes up the largest part of the brain.
Head pressing in dogs is just one symptom of prosencephalon disease.
Other symptoms include seizures, trouble seeing and no longer responding to well-known training cues. If the dog also starts circling or compulsively pacing, suspect prosencephalon disease.
For some dogs, a diagnosis of prosencephalon disease probably means euthanasia is the best option. Other dogs may respond to aggressive treatment. Your veterinarian will advise you of the alternatives for your pet.
If treatment is an option, it may consist of surgery and/or drug therapy. Your dog may need to see a veterinary neurology specialist. Dietary and management changes are also likely for your dog.
Dog Dementia
Just like people, elderly dogs can develop dementia. The term used is canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome, or CDS. A dog staring at the wall or a dog staring at nothing are symptoms of this disorder.
Dogs with CDS may appear disoriented, getting lost in familiar surroundings. Affected dogs may wander about the house or yard aimlessly. The dog may wander into a corner or behind furniture and seem “stuck.”
Dogs suffering from dementia may forget their house training. The dog may want to go outdoors to relieve himself, but then seem to forget why he is there. However, it is worth remembering that although starting to urinate or defecate indoors may indicate a mental issue, it can also have a physical cause.
Humans with dementia may not recognize beloved family members. Canines with dementia may exhibit the same trait. Not only does the dog not recognize his people, but he may not respond to his name, even if you know he can still hear.
If you are concerned your dog might have dementia, then take him for a check up. Your veterinarian will perform a physical examination on the dog, along with diagnostic testing to rule out underlying medical conditions. Fortunately, there is medication available for dog dementia. It eases many of the symptoms and improves the quality of life for you and your pet.
Is My Dog Despressed?
If your dog sits facing wall day after day, he may suffer from depression. Again, the symptoms of canine depression aren’t that different from those afflicting humans. Look for less activity, withdrawal from people and personality changes.
It’s not just a dog facing the wall that indicates depression. Other symptoms indicative of a depressed dog include excessive licking and chewing, changes in sleeping and eating habits and the loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed.
If your dog no longer gets excited about the prospect of a walk or car ride, something is wrong. Canine depression can result from physical issues, so take your pet to the vet for an examination.
Causes of depression in dogs aren’t always obvious, but sometimes they aren’t hard to figure out. The loss of an owner, family member or another pet in the household may cause depression. Any significant change – such as moving to a new home or a schedule leaving less time for Fido- may trigger depression.
Depending on the diagnosis, behavioral therapy may help your dog get back into his groove. Medication, including the types of antidepressants used to help people, also lifts the spirits of canines. Yes, depressed dogs may have Prozac or Paxil prescribed, and these drugs may make all the difference in your dog’s mood.
Vestibular Disease in Dogs
If you find your dog running into a wall along with other odd symptoms, he could have vestibular disease. The vestibular system maintains balance. When it is out of whack, all sorts of things go awry. The condition is so common it has earned the moniker, “old dog’s disease.”
Besides disorientation, symptoms of vestibular disease include head tilt and balance loss. The eyes start jerking, a condition known as nystagmus. Overall, it’s a scary scenario.
Vestibular disease may result from ear infections, injury, tumors or diseases such as hypothyroidism. The majority of cases have no known cause. These are referred to as “idiopathic canine vestibular disease.”
The veterinarian performs a clinical evaluation of the dog. Blood and urine is taken for testing. If a tumor is suspected, an MRI is scheduled.
Treatment depends on the diagnosis. A dog with a middle ear infection receives antibiotics. Sedation may help dogs running into walls or falling over.
But try not to panic, as there’s good news about most cases of vestibular disease.
The majority of dogs recover within a few weeks, as long a tumor or life-threatening disorder wasn’t the cause. Once recovered, dogs are back to normal, although some may retain a head tilt.
Staring At The Wall vs Head Pressing
If your dog is staring at the wall there are a number of possible reasons why, ranging from dog dementia to dog depression. But a dog head pressing is an even more serious matter. Head pressing in dogs doesn’t need to literally mean a “dog head against wall.” The dog may head press into any solid object. The same holds true for a dog staring at a wall – it could involve a dog staring at nothing. Knowing that this is a neurological problem allows you to take quick action and possibly save your dog’s life.
Jean Sewell says
I have a three-year-old Yorky who stays close to the corner wall and stares every night because I think some kind of animals is right under our house and I hear them making thumping noises etc. I can’t get my Yorkie to stop obsessing over them ?
If I close my bedroom door off to her then she scratches and whines to get in! I don’t know what to do? MOVE???
Edward J Piper says
this past holiday season we traveled to see family for many hours in a day. we have a 18 month old English cocker and was left in his kennel the entire time we were gone. this happened more during xmas and new year. we noticed this past week that he stops at any door in the house and stares at the floor next to a door, at times he tilts his head as though there is something standing under the door. I open the door and he will go out or through the door and act out the same behavior from the other side. at times I can break him, but most of the time and on occasion I need to pick him up and relocate him or redirect him. at times he will return to the door and have the same behavior prior to moving him. because this is new behavior . do I need to worry that something more savior is going on?
Saraya says
You made this up
Laura says
My Bichon is 18+ he runs into walls and stares off onto space (however he is blind) he runs into walls and howls. Vet says normal for a dog his. Age. Is it? How do I know if he is in pain? He eats, goes potty outside and loves cuddles but I worry he is in pain sometimes. He takes no meds. Sometimes trips over nothing.
Sue L Blackwell says
My pit is two years old he’s a AWESOME dog on the inside of the house with my other two all male none fixed a chiweenie a chihuahua and him when I go to go outside the Chihuahua and pit want to fight and the pit tries to fight me why is this only outside
Amy says
My 4yr old Staffy suddenly started facing the wall and when outside she would lay in spots she had never laid in before. She could walk if I made her. She seemed to occasionally not have good judgment on her right side. Took her to the vet, labs were normal. Vet thought maybe she had a neck injury. Sent home w muscle relaxers then next day added some antibiotics the following evening she died. Any ideas, my vet had no answers.
Andrea Nosek says
My dog has been whining a lot lately. She wants to eat more and go out more. She is a rescue and we have had her for about 9 months. It may just be that she is sure she is safe here and she is just being demanding. If we don’t give her more food or take her out (again) she faces a corner an whines. Any ideas?
PH says
Is she gettng the right amount of calories, check the food labels and make sure she is getting enough to eat. Maybe she needs to go to the bathroom and wants to go outside
Nancy Teschner says
My 12 yr. old pit-mix will go in my closet and stare in the corner. She also began whining about a month ago. I took her to the r ad she had her two front bottom teeth extracted. I had hoped that she was whining because maybe her teeth were causing her pain, but her gums have healed and she still whines and wants treats and wants in and out all the time. My vet didn’t seem too concerned but it’s really wearing me down. Anyone else dealing with this?
Doug Arch says
can’t comment on the hallway but in cemetary, a good possibility is that he is responding to certain scents /smells
-Ralphie says
My mini Doxie recently had dental surgery, a few teeth were removed. The dog was under anesthesia during the procedure. The vet said the procedure “took much longer than expected”.
The dogs mouth has healed well now, but ever since the surgery, the dog seems to be “stareing off into space at times, and seems “disconnected” from everything around him.
Also he then seems a bit surprised if I come up to him and pet him, but then comes out of it. He gets back to moving normally, till the next time it happens.
Could the anesthesia have caused this to occur?
Patricia says
My dog will stare at the wall the hallway . It’s like someone or something is talking to him he will move his head back and forth and his ears go down why does he do this?? Does he see something that I don’t, I do live right next to a cemetery.. I don’t walk him over there anymore cause he will go to certain graves an lay on them an tilt his head back and forth as if someone is talking to him .. it has me very scared. Please help my dog and i.please……. the vet put him on doggie xanx sometimes it helps but a lot of times it doesn’t,….
Doug Arch says
can’t comment on the hallway but in cemetary, a good possibility is that he is responding to certain scents /smells