TL;DR: Head pressing is a critical neurological emergency that requires immediate veterinary intervention. Record a brief video of the behavior and transport your dog to an emergency clinic right away.
What does it mean if my dog is pressing their head against a wall?
Head pressing is a compulsive behavior where a dog stands in front of a wall, corner, or furniture and pushes the top of their head against it for extended periods. It is important to distinguish this from affectionate 'nuzzling' or 'head-butting.' True head pressing is often accompanied by a vacant stare, disorientation, or signs of distress, indicating a direct issue with the animal's neurological system or brain function.
Is head pressing in dogs a veterinary emergency?
Yes, this is a high-priority medical emergency indicating forebrain or brainstem distress. If you observe your dog performing this behavior, follow these steps:
- Recognize that this can be caused by life-threatening conditions such as lead poisoning, liver failure (hepatic encephalopathy), brain tumors, strokes, or meningitis.
- Bypass home monitoring or "waiting to see" if it stops.
- Transport your dog to an emergency veterinary hospital immediately.
How can recording a video of head pressing help my veterinarian?
- Capture a short 10-second video of the behavior occurring in your home environment.
- Use the video to show the veterinary triage team, as the behavior may temporarily stop due to the adrenaline of a car ride or the stress of entering the clinic.
- Provide this vital diagnostic evidence to help the veterinarian reach a faster diagnosis and more targeted treatment plan.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
During triage, altered mental status such as stupor (arousable only with painful stimuli) or coma (unarousable with any stimuli) should be evaluated. Changes in behavior, such as avoidance or aggression, should also be noted. Rapid detection of cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) in an unconscious animal can be difficult; owners can be instructed to watch for chest excursions and to touch the cornea or eyelids to elicit a corneal or palpebral reflex in an unconscious pet, with the absence of one or both indicative of CPA. When moving the animal, motion of the head, neck, and spine should be minimized using a flat, firm board.
Chapter: Emergency, General Principles
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1662)