Understanding Idiopathic Head Tremors in Dobermans: A Different Approach
When we first noticed our Doberman puppy Persephone's head tremors, we were concerned and confused. While we had heard about idiopathic head tremors and that they’re common in the breed, we never had to deal with the condition before. So, naturally, we asked ourselves: What are these tremors? Why are they happening? Unfortunately, conventional wisdom sticks mostly with the idea that these tremors are called idiopathic head tremors, meaning their origin is unknown, and, thus, there’s no real treatment for them. Moreover, veterinarians have deemed them as not very concerning, hence, there has been no real effort to study where they come from and, therefore, no urgency to look into treatments. However, just because the cause isn't immediately apparent doesn't mean there isn't one. Clearly, these tremors are a symptom of something not functioning correctly within the dog's system. Just ignoring the tremors because they’re supposedly not concerning is not good enough for us and do we really know that the head tremors are not an expression of a larger problem that may or may not lead to serious health issues down the road? All of these concerns lead us to adopt a more integrative approach to address the issue. What follows is a personal account of what we did for Persephone.
What Are Idiopathic Head Tremors?
Idiopathic head tremors are involuntary movements of the head, often resembling a "yes" or "no" motion (video 1shows the yes motion; video 2 shows the ‘no’ movement). Episodes have been reported to last from 10 seconds to 3 hours. The onset of this condition varies with some dogs showing the first episodes under a year of age, while others show a more sporadic form that usually starts later in life. The former is often referred to as the familial early-onset form. The term "idiopathic" indicates that the exact cause is unknown. Despite this, it’s crucial to recognize that these tremors are not without origin. In a systems approach to health, they are, at least to us, a sign that something in the dog's body is not in balance. For us, this meant looking beyond the symptoms to understand and address some of the potentially underlying issues affecting Persephone's health.
Our Journey with Persephone
Persephone's journey with idiopathic head tremors began around four months of age, coinciding with the period we were taping her ears. Initially, the ‘no’ movement tremors (of course our sassy girl would never signal ‘yes’ universally) occurred about twice a month. However, after a deworming treatment (PPM Dewormer) for roundworms at six and a half months, her tremors increased dramatically, occurring daily and multiple times a day. Looking back, her tremors actually started after her first two rounds of dewormer for hookworms (Panacur-Fenbendazole) at around 3.5 months of age. Our integrative vet confirmed that the dewormers could exacerbate the tremors. Moreover, especially in integrative medicine, we were told that fenbendazole is considered less harmful than other wormers, which seems to be true for Persephone, as the head tremors she showed afterward were much less severe and less frequent. The thinking behind using the PPM wormer to treat her roundworms, however, was that she needed only a single dose, and we had not made the connection between the wormer and the tremors at that point, yet.
Integrative Support Approach
In our quest to help Persephone, we decided to explore integrative treatments. It’s important to note that while this approach worked for Persephone, it may not work for every Doberman. As mentioned before, head tremors are not researched very well, and none of the statements we make in this blog post should be construed as evidence-based. Instead, they are simply an observational, non-scientific study of one. We are simply sharing our experience in hopes that it might help others facing similar challenges.
Nux Vomica
Our vet initially suggested a round of Nux Vomica, a homeopathic remedy, administered twice a day for three days. Unfortunately, this did not alleviate Persephone's tremors.
Liver Tonic, MCT Oil, and Vitamin C
We then decided to use Adored Beast's Liver Tonic and incorporate MCT oil and Vitamin C into her daily diet. Persephone went through the entire bottle of the liver tonic as recommended, which took about 2.5 weeks. Remarkably, her tremors ceased after just four days and have not returned since. (Update, January, 2026: Persephone stopped taking MCT oil and Vitamin C, as well as the Liver Tonic, which we only gave twice a year. However, when we stopped this regimen, her tremors returned. She is now back on this regimen. While we believe these supportive measures do help, we also note that the improvements we have seen may be spontaneous. We have no truly objective evidence that what we are doing is indeed the reason why she stops the head tremors. However, we would like to believe that these simple measures do help her alleviate the tremors. However, believing is not the same as knowing for a fact.
Why MCT Oil, Liver Tonic, and Vitamin C?
MCT Oil: Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are known for their potential benefits in managing neurological disorders. They provide a quick source of energy for the brain and can help support overall brain health. MCT oil is easily digestible and can improve gut health, which is critical since a significant portion of the immune system is located in the gut. By supporting gut health, MCT oil may help reduce systemic inflammation and support overall neurological function.
Liver Tonic: The liver plays a crucial role in detoxification and overall health. The ingredients in the liver tonic support liver function (not to be confused with any ‘detox’ beyond what the liver already does by design). Here’s a closer look at the individual ingredients:
Taraxacum Officinalis (Dandelion Root): Dandelion root is known for its diuretic properties, which help the liver eliminate toxins. It also supports digestion and reduces inflammation.
Chelidonium majus (Greater Celandine): This herb supports liver health and bile production, aiding in the natural detoxification processes. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Cardus Marianus (Milk Thistle): Milk thistle is a well-known liver tonic that protects liver cells from toxins and supports regeneration. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that can promote overall liver health.
Berberis Vulgaris (Barberry): Barberry supports liver function and bile production. It also has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that help maintain a healthy digestive system.
The combination of these ingredients supports the liver’s natural detoxification processes, which we believe can be especially important after exposure to substances like dewormers in possibly sensitive dogs, such as Persephone.
Vitamin C Supplementation
To further support Persephone's immune system and overall health, we also made her Vitamin C supplementation more permanent. We administer 250 mg a day for two weeks out of every month. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce inflammation and support immune function. We use Acerola cherry as a powerful whole-food vitamin C supplement. (Update 2026: We transitioned her to seedless sea-buckthorn from Germany)
Ongoing and Future Integrative Approaches
Liver Tonic: We plan to administer the liver tonic thrice a year to maintain liver health and support ongoing detoxification assistance. (Update 2026: as mentioned above, we had stopped this regimen, but she is back on twice a year).
Probiotics: We rotate her probiotics regularly to support a healthy gut microbiome, which, we think, is crucial for immune function. (Update 2026: We have stopped probiotics)
MCT Oil: We will keep MCT oil as a permanent part of her diet due to its numerous health benefits. (Update 2026: She is getting MCT oil every other day again)
Vitamin C: Acerola Cherry Vitamin C will stay in Persephone’s rotation for 2 weeks out of every month. (Update 2026: Persephone is on seedless sea-buckthorn)
Exploring Additional Treatments
We are currently exploring the potential benefits of CBD oil and medicinal mushrooms to further support Persephone's immune system. CBD oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, while medicinal mushrooms can boost immune function and overall health. (Update 2026: We have not used CBD oil or medicinal mushrooms for Persephone. Persephone has a very delicate GI-system, and a scaled-down, simpler approach seems to work best for her overall needs)
Persephone's Diet
Persephone is raw-fed with a balanced recipe, and we ensure she only receives whole-food-based supplements (not because we necessarily believe that only whole-food-based supplements are viable, but because they appear to work best for her). This approach has significantly improved many of the health issues we initially observed in her, such as gastrointestinal problems and skin rashes. We will share more details about her diet in an upcoming blog post.
A Note on Breeders and Health Challenges
We want to make it clear that we do not blame Persephone's breeder for her health issues. Just like with humans, sometimes puppies need extra help to overcome initial health challenges. It's part of the journey, and we're committed to providing Persephone with the best care possible.
Final Thoughts
From our personal experience, idiopathic head tremors can be distressing for both dogs and their owners. Although we think it is likely more distressing to the owners than the dogs. While the cause may be unknown, an integrative approach can help address underlying issues and promote overall health. Our experience with Persephone highlights the importance of looking at the dog's system as a whole and considering natural, supportive treatments.
We hope our story provides insights and potential ideas for others facing similar challenges. Always consult with a knowledgeable veterinarian before starting any new treatment regimen for your pet.
Stay tuned for our next blog post, where we will dive into the details of Persephone's raw diet and the benefits we've observed.
With love and paw-sitivity,
Persephone’s Parents, Mike & Marie
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other healthcare professional. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease or prescribe any medication or other treatment. Always consult with your veterinarian or other qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your pet's healthcare regimen, especially if they have or suspect they may have a health problem. The author and publisher of this article are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of any suggestions, products, or procedures mentioned in this article. The use of this information is at the reader's discretion and risk.
