If you really pay attention, you will likely find yourself rubbing your eyes or scratching your head, nose, ears, and face throughout the day. Similarly, you might notice your dog rubbing its face with its paws or across walls, furniture, carpet, the ground, or even on you.
Why Is Your Dog Rubbing Its Face?
Some kind of annoyance, itch, pain, or just because it feels good are all reasons why a dog might be rubbing its face.
Common reasons for a dog rubbing its face include:
- Wet fur
- Dirty fur
- Itchy skin
- Eye boogers
- Eye injury
- Ear infection
- Dental disease
- Allergies
- Fleas, ticks, mites
- Head collar or muzzle
- Normal grooming
Face rubbing is normal behavior and usually nothing to worry about, but if it seems like your dog is rubbing its face constantly, there may actually be an underlying health issue to address.
For example, a rare, but serious pair of neurological conditions known as Chiari-like malformation and subsequent syringomyelia can cause excessive face rubbing in dogs - and if you have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, there's a good chance your dog has it!
Chiari-like Malformation and Syringomyelia Can Cause Excessive Face Rubbing in Dogs
Chiari-like malformation (CM) is a hereditary neurological condition characterized by unusual bone growth in the back of the skull, resulting in a skull that’s too small for the brain and affecting the flow of cerebrospinal fluid. This can cause a secondary condition known as syringomyelia (SM), in which fluid-filled cysts form and expand within the spinal cord, ultimately destroying its center.
The most obvious sign of CM and SM is neuropathic pain, or the abnormal processing of sensory input by the nervous system. This altered sensation is why you might find your dog constantly rubbing its face or scratching at the head to no avail.
Face Rubbing Isn't the Only Symptom of Chiari-like Malformation and Syringomyelia in Dogs
Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia can occur in any dog but are generally seen in small and toy breeds, most commonly the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Brussels Griffon. In fact, almost all Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have CM, even though not all dogs will show signs.
Symptoms that may occur if your dog has Chiari-like malformation or syringomyelia include:
- Constantly rubbing at the face
- Scratching at the ears, neck, or head
- Phantom scratching (scratching without making contact)
- Sensitivity around the back of the neck and shoulders
- Painful when excited, passing stool, or even wearing a collar
- Changes in behavior
- Limb weakness and poor coordination
- Scoliosis (curvature of the spine)
Treating Chiari-like Malformation and Syringomyelia to Ease Dog Face Rubbing
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is typically used to confirm whether or not CM or SM are the reasons behind your dog rubbing its face, and surgery is the treatment of choice for progressive cases. The operation involves removing the malformed bone in the back of the skull to make more space for cerebrospinal fluid to flow through, with studies showing over 80% of patients maintaining an improved quality of life in the long term.
What to Do if Your Dog Won’t Stop Rubbing Its Face
If your dog is rubbing its face excessively, please visit your veterinarian to rule out some of the more common possibilities listed at the beginning of this article.
However, if your dog is showing other Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia symptoms, or if you have a high-risk breed, please contact us right away. Although CM and SM cannot be cured, a highly specialized veterinary neurologist can add quality back to your dog’s life. Early diagnosis and treatment can slow progression of the disease and help pet parents be better prepared.
Schedule your dog’s visit with a highly specialized veterinary neurologist at Southeast Veterinary Neurology today by calling any of our Miami, Boynton Beach, Jupiter or Virginia Beach locations. Whatever the cause may be, there is help for your dog’s face rubbing!