Head pressing explained

Head pressing is a veterinary condition characterized by pressing the head against a wall or pushing the face into a corner for no apparent reason.^[1] This condition is seen in dogs, cats, cows, horses, and goats. Head pressing is usually a sign of a neurological disorder, especially of the forebrain (e.g., prosencephalon disease), or of toxicity due to liver damage, such as portosystemic shunt and hepatic encephalopathy.^[2]

It should be distinguished from bunting, which is a normal behavior found in healthy animals.

Possible causes

• Prosencephalon disease
• Liver shunt
• Brain tumor
• Metabolic disorder (e.g., hyponatremia or hyperatremia)
• Stroke
• Infection of the nervous system (rabies, parasites, bacterial, viral or fungal infection)
• Head trauma^[3]

Liver neurotoxicity

A liver shunt is a congenital or acquired condition that may lead to toxicity and head pressing. Additional symptoms include drooling and slow maturation early in development. Middle-aged and older animals more commonly suffer from liver cirrhosis than younger animals.^[4]

Viral causes

Several viruses that cause encephalitis or meningoencephalitis can lead to the neurological sign of head pressing, such as eastern equine encephalitis and bovine herpesvirus 5.^{[5] [6]}

See also

• Bovine malignant catarrhal fever
• Canine brain tumors

Notes and References

1. Web site: Head Pressing in Dogs. de Cardenas. Cecilia. 5 November 2008. petMD. Chewy. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200413005628/https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/neurological/c_multi_headpressing. 13 April 2020. 12 December 2019.
2. Book: Faerber. Cody W.. Canine Medicine and Disease Prevention. Durrant. S. Mario. Fishman Leon. Jane. Animal Health Publications. 2004. 978-0-9701159-1-1. 5th.
3. Web site: Dogs Who Head Press Should See A Vet ASAP. Recognizing This Behavior Could Save Your Dog's Life.. 30 May 2014. DogHeirs. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150324024843/http://www.dogheirs.com/dogheirs/posts/5625-dogs-who-head-press-should-see-a-vet-asap-recognizing-this-behavior-could-save-your-dogs-life. 24 March 2015. 4 July 2014.
4. Web site: Cirrhosis in Dogs. Pet Health Network. IDEXX Laboratories. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191212005907/https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-diseases-conditions-a-z/cirrhosis-dogs. 12 December 2019. 12 December 2019.
5. Book: Hostetler, Douglas E.. https://books.google.com/books?id=KcrUS1gaix0C&pg=PA573. Veterinary Microbiology. John Wiley & Sons. 2013. 978-1-118-65056-1. McVey. D. Scott. 3rd. 573. Nervous System. Kennedy. Melissa. Chengappa. M. M..
6. Book: Gilberd. Natural Remedies For Sheep. 2005. 978-0-9775330-2-2. 30. Mark Gilberd .