Depressed Dog?

[missmoo]

Hey all,

I need some advice from the Behaviourists out there.

I have a 5 year old Kelpie X Rotti. I have had her since she was 10 weeks old. She has critical period issues which I have been working hard on (she is fearful of unknown ppl) My other dog passed away 3 months ago . Before she passed away I had already put my name down for a lab pup which came home 2 weeks after Molly died. Timing wasn't great I know but couldnt be helped. I also had my brothers dog for the last 4 months (now gone home), my girl and my brothers girl get along great, they've had interaction ever since they where babes. Anyway everything with the pup and my girl are going well. She mothers him, tells him off when he gets to rough, plays with him. If anything he has helped to increase her self confidence around ppl.

Over the last week she has begun to sleep heaps. She wont come inside very often (the door is left open when i am home) and she just stays in the kennel. She is off her food, she will eat but not the usual amount. She is not drinking anymore than normal. She is not interested in going for a walk. I do train her to keep her mind active but she is not responding to that very well either. She just seems blurrgh (for want of a better word). I have taken her to the vet, physically she is fine. I know she was grieving for Molly (they had been together since they were 10 weeks old). Up until a week agao she seemed like she was OK. Could she be depressed? about Molly or even my brother's girl no longer being there. They do see ecah other at least once a week.

I'm stuck.

thanks

[~*Shell*~]

Sounds very like what Zero does when he's depressed. A few trips to the dog park, a couple of long walks and some play time usually fixes him right up though. Then again, he's never had a second dog in the house so I can't offer advice about the death of your other dog and any related depression. Maybe things have just changed too quickly for your girl and she's having trouble coping.

Personally, i would be seeking a second opinion vet wise - just in case.

[persephone]

It may well be a physical problem, which needs diagnosing...what tests did the vet do?

If other blood/urine tests etc come back normal,try her on some rescue remedy..

[missmoo]

they did the usual as well as a blood test.

[cwm]

I would always get a second opinion if you're not really sure.

It could well be delayed grieving for your other dog - maybe she still thought she was coming home and now she realises it's not happening.

My old ridgeback grieved for 6 months when we had to put our older ridge x down - she was like a mother to him - it honestly took that long - and there was no wag, no smile, no enthusiasm.. it honestly broke your heart to watch this boy dragging himself around with all the cares of the world on his shoulders. Then he just picked back up again. (and we had introduced a new puppy too)