Odd Behaviour

[Annabel]

Hi. I have a 6 yr old female GSP.

For the last two months, she has been exhibiting some really odd behaviour which I thought might have been because my parents looked after her for a week whilst we were away. They obviously fed her treats, fed her from the table and didn't walk her enough. Except that that was now two months ago and I thought I had ironed out those wrong behaviours. Thanks, parents.

The behaviours are:

Pacing about the house constantly... walking 6 paces one way, returning to walk 6 paces the other... repetitively.

She stands at the window whining at nothing.

Last night she went to the hallway and stared at my older daughter's bedroom door for about 20 minutes... (I actually left her to see how long she'd do it for because I was curious) She was completely motionless whilst she did it.

I put her food down and make her wait... she just walks off... She actually comes to eat when we do, which ya know, that's fine, but why change after 6 years?

She has a real 'hang dog' look...

Sometimes she appears to be in a trance.

A door banged the other day and it totally freaked her out. She now hates the laundry door and won't go near it. It's surreal.

So I've taken her to our vet who can find absolutely nothing wrong with her... but something is up. I know it is, but I can't afford to keep going back and forth to the vet like this without some idea of what to look for. (I'm currently not working after breaking my leg very badly so trip after trip is kind of mad)

Has anyone experience of anything like this at all? Any advice?

If I didn't know better, I'd say she she has early alzheimers. I know dogs can get this... right?

Edited March 20, 2012 by Annabel

[Annabel]

Oh I forgot to add:

Grass eating ALL THE TIME... (which worries me that she's feeling unwell)

An accident where she peed all over the floor last week. Hasn't happened again though.

[harley]

Do you think she is depressed and missing your parents?

Have you seen them since you got back from your trip?

[Annabel]

Do you think she is depressed and missing your parents?

Have you seen them since you got back from your trip?

I doubt she'd be remotely missing them as they didn't walk her... Depressed... could be but I don't know why... she has loads of exercise, fun, games and love.

[persephone]

It sounds as if she is unwell...- write down EVERYTHING.

VIDEO her staring /pacing (don't talk to her..just observe/record.

and maybe see another vet, or take to a University Teaching clinic/hospital?

Best of luck with it ....

[Feebeez]

A lot of what you mention sound like symptoms of anxiety.

[Annabel]

A lot of what you mention sound like symptoms of anxiety.

Ok Febeez, that's better than doggy alzheimers, but why on earth would she be exhibiting anxiety? There's nothing happening here that would have this effect! I'm completely stumped.

[Annabel]

It sounds as if she is unwell...- write down EVERYTHING.

VIDEO her staring /pacing (don't talk to her..just observe/record.

and maybe see another vet, or take to a University Teaching clinic/hospital?

Best of luck with it ....

Ok, I'll do that, thanks, that hadn't occurred to do a video. She's all bouncy at the vet of course. The vet and her love each other.

When I do tricks with her, it's like the old Emma, but when she's not being stimulated by us, she 'drifts'

[Fourjays]

Hi Annabelle,

Sorry to say, but she sounds like she is in some sort of pain to me. I very recently had one of mine doing very similar to this and she had a pinched nerve or a disc issue in her neck/shoulder and was extremely uncomfortable - at her worst I thought I was going to have to say goodbye to her as had never seen a dog in that much pain before She would pace, she would lie in the most bizaare places, didn't want to be with us or with the other dogs, was extremely reluctant to eat (and I am sure you know this, but food is very important to a GSP!) and she would whine and cry for no apparent reason - standing or lying, it didn't matter. All sorts of abnormal behaviours!

I would recommend a good check over by a good chiro vet or performance dog vet - she may need x-rays even. My girl was treated with a course of steroids, anti-inflams, and valium to calm her down as well as regular chiro's, stretching and very gentle exercise only. She is as good as gold now, although if she is silly she has flair ups (and she is 13) - it also took a good couple of months to get her sorted out.

And btw - I think some over zealous pulling on her collar/lead by my husband when out walking one day, is all that it took to trigger the problem my dog had (most likely there was already an undetected problem though). Was there any sort of incident that occurred whilst your parents had her? Is she fully weight bearing on all her legs when standing? My girl started off with only a very slight weight transference off the front leg that was affected, so you have to pay really close attention as they are excellent at masking their pain and discomfort from you.

[Fourjays]

Incidentally, involuntary urination like that or even the opposite, can be caused by pelvic pain and discomfort also. I've seen it in a puppy that had severe sciatica which was affecting the nerves in the urinary tract and thus it appeared that the puppy had a constant UTI, when in fact, she was just in a lot of pain as her pelvis was not aligned correctly and the pain from the sciatica and the pelvis was affecting her urinary system. Had her chiro'd and this sorted that problem out.

Similarly, I've had another old dog who was having some incontinence issues and he had some sort of lower back and pelvic involvement and a good chiro session has sorted him out for the moment.

It can be worth getting all of these things checked out. Unfortunately, it does cost a little bit however, but worth it to make them comfortable and happy again :)

[Pretty Miss Emma]

My first thoughts were something neurological or something vision related. But in all honesty I don't know these are just the thoughts that came from our descriptions.

I like the idea of the video as that will give a vet a full picture and also trying to see someone who can do a very thorough check. Has she had bloods done? Has she seen an opthalmologist? When my dog went blind my vet knew that she was on the way to being blind (she had cataracts) but didn't realise it was to the extent diagnosed by the opthalmologist - the vets we usually see in practices can't be experts at everything! Sometimes it is good to see a specialist if you have a suspicion something is wrong.

[Annabel]

Hi Annabelle,

Sorry to say, but she sounds like she is in some sort of pain to me. I very recently had one of mine doing very similar to this and she had a pinched nerve or a disc issue in her neck/shoulder and was extremely uncomfortable - at her worst I thought I was going to have to say goodbye to her as had never seen a dog in that much pain before She would pace, she would lie in the most bizaare places, didn't want to be with us or with the other dogs, was extremely reluctant to eat (and I am sure you know this, but food is very important to a GSP!) and she would whine and cry for no apparent reason - standing or lying, it didn't matter. All sorts of abnormal behaviours!

I would recommend a good check over by a good chiro vet or performance dog vet - she may need x-rays even. My girl was treated with a course of steroids, anti-inflams, and valium to calm her down as well as regular chiro's, stretching and very gentle exercise only. She is as good as gold now, although if she is silly she has flair ups (and she is 13) - it also took a good couple of months to get her sorted out.

And btw - I think some over zealous pulling on her collar/lead by my husband when out walking one day, is all that it took to trigger the problem my dog had (most likely there was already an undetected problem though). Was there any sort of incident that occurred whilst your parents had her? Is she fully weight bearing on all her legs when standing? My girl started off with only a very slight weight transference off the front leg that was affected, so you have to pay really close attention as they are excellent at masking their pain and discomfort from you.

Hi, thanks GSP... The vet seemed to clear her of any pain. He gave her a pretty good working over. There's been no incident that I know of, but who knows. My parents are not dog people. They think they are but they're not. She's fully weight bearing... I've run my hands over her whole body (which I do pretty much daily anyway) and she seems to be fine... The only thing I can see is that she's put a little weight on which I put down to my broken leg situation - she's not getting quite as much exercise as she was but she's being walked and run extensively by the rest of the family, plus off leash stuff at the dog park.

I did her morning tricks with her today and she was leaping and sitting just like she does normally... full of beans.

I think I'll go back to the vet and ask for xrays but I'll do the video of her pacing and take that too. It's really worrying.

Incidentally, involuntary urination like that or even the opposite, can be caused by pelvic pain and discomfort also. I've seen it in a puppy that had severe sciatica which was affecting the nerves in the urinary tract and thus it appeared that the puppy had a constant UTI, when in fact, she was just in a lot of pain as her pelvis was not aligned correctly and the pain from the sciatica and the pelvis was affecting her urinary system. Had her chiro'd and this sorted that problem out.

Similarly, I've had another old dog who was having some incontinence issues and he had some sort of lower back and pelvic involvement and a good chiro session has sorted him out for the moment.

It can be worth getting all of these things checked out. Unfortunately, it does cost a little bit however, but worth it to make them comfortable and happy again :)

I don't mind spending the money as long as it's worth it... It's just repeated trips to the vet where he draws a blank are a waste of time and are not getting me or Emma anywhere. Em only had the one accident and we think that was because she didn't go out in the morning but we're not sure. It hasn't happened again.

More weird stuff... walking to the door, pawing it, walking to other door, pawing at it... then I take her out and she just stands in the garden like she's forgotten why she's there. I call her name and she kinda snaps out of it and seems ok but then wants to go back in. I'm monitoring her very closely outside to make sure her her urinary function etc is working fine and it seems to be. Totally normal.

My first thoughts were something neurological or something vision related. But in all honesty I don't know these are just the thoughts that came from our descriptions.

I like the idea of the video as that will give a vet a full picture and also trying to see someone who can do a very thorough check. Has she had bloods done? Has she seen an opthalmologist? When my dog went blind my vet knew that she was on the way to being blind (she had cataracts) but didn't realise it was to the extent diagnosed by the opthalmologist - the vets we usually see in practices can't be experts at everything! Sometimes it is good to see a specialist if you have a suspicion something is wrong.

She had bloods done - everything totally clear, the vet checked her eyes and said they were perfect. Her eyes seem to be functioning just fine if her skink hunting is anything to go by!

Yesterday evening, my hub and I were talking and I raised my voice a tone or two to say something funny and Em ran in barking, looking around for a stranger. She didn't recognize it was my voice at all.

That was pretty worrying. That and random barking at the slightest sound.

Thanks so much for all your suggestions folks... I'll perhaps go to another vet I know locally who might have a different approach.

[westiemum]

More weird stuff... walking to the door, pawing it, walking to other door, pawing at it... then I take her out and she just stands in the garden like she's forgotten why she's there. I call her name and she kinda snaps out of it and seems ok but then wants to go back in...

My first thoughts were something neurological or something vision related. But in all honesty I don't know these are just the thoughts that came from our descriptions.

I like the idea of the video as that will give a vet a full picture and also trying to see someone who can do a very thorough check. Has she had bloods done? Has she seen an opthalmologist? When my dog went blind my vet knew that she was on the way to being blind (she had cataracts) but didn't realise it was to the extent diagnosed by the opthalmologist - the vets we usually see in practices can't be experts at everything! Sometimes it is good to see a specialist if you have a suspicion something is wrong.

She had bloods done - everything totally clear, the vet checked her eyes and said they were perfect. Her eyes seem to be functioning just fine if her skink hunting is anything to go by!

Yesterday evening, my hub and I were talking and I raised my voice a tone or two to say something funny and Em ran in barking, looking around for a stranger. She didn't recognize it was my voice at all.

That was pretty worrying. That and random barking at the slightest sound.

Annabel I don't want to alarm you but the selective quotes above are exactly what I didn't want to hear. As far as I know, pain behavior is usually very purposeful. The thing which distinguishes canine dementia from other diagnoses is the aimless purposelessness of the behaviorr and the apparent forgetfulness. Sadly, my Mac's growling and barking into space was a key diagnostic feature. Some dogs also lose their ability to problem solve eg they get themselves into a corner and can't get themselves out again. My Mac also has perfect bloods - so nothing there to explain the changes.

In this forum there's a thread entitled doggie dementia - suggest you read it as in it is some really good discussion in it. In that thread, Corvus suggested I contact deerhoundowner by pm who has been studying canine dementia for sometime and has a diagnostic tool on her website - strongly suggest you look at this. Lastly you need a vet who is a good observer, listener and diagnostician - lucky for me this wasn't a problem - mind you I made it easy for her with a detailed diary of observations and occurrences - so suggest you do that too. It becomes much clearer if you keep dated objective notes.

Having said all that, I must say that 6 is pretty young for this I think - but not unheard of. If it is dementia then I really feel for you as you've been incredibly unlucky for it to strike so young. But the good news is as you can see in the dementia thread that it is manageable.

So good luck, all fingers and paws crossed for you here - and will be very interested to see how you get on. :)

[becks]

My first thought was the start of epilepsy. Is the pacing done in the same places? My dog wore tracks in the lawn from constant pacing. There were other signs too which only fitted once we witnessed a proper fit. Moments of spacing out etc are also signs.

[Annabel]

Annabel I don't want to alarm you but the selective quotes above are exactly what I didn't want to hear. As far as I know, pain behavior is usually very purposeful. The thing which distinguishes canine dementia from other diagnoses is the aimless purposelessness of the behaviorr and the apparent forgetfulness. Sadly, my Mac's growling and barking into space was a key diagnostic feature. Some dogs also lose their ability to problem solve eg they get themselves into a corner and can't get themselves out again. My Mac also has perfect bloods - so nothing there to explain the changes.

In this forum there's a thread entitled doggie dementia - suggest you read it as in it is some really good discussion in it. In that thread, Corvus suggested I contact deerhoundowner by pm who has been studying canine dementia for sometime and has a diagnostic tool on her website - strongly suggest you look at this. Lastly you need a vet who is a good observer, listener and diagnostician - lucky for me this wasn't a problem - mind you I made it easy for her with a detailed diary of observations and occurrences - so suggest you do that too. It becomes much clearer if you keep dated objective notes.

Having said all that, I must say that 6 is pretty young for this I think - but not unheard of. If it is dementia then I really feel for you as you've been incredibly unlucky for it to strike so young. But the good news is as you can see in the dementia thread that it is manageable.

So good luck, all fingers and paws crossed for you here - and will be very interested to see how you get on. :)

Hey lovely, that's ok, I'm already alarmed. :-/

Thanks for that... yeah the voice thing totally freaked me out the other night.

I will read the thread and keep a close eye on it. I'm not going to head back to the vet until I have video and something more concrete. I truly don't think there's any pain... it's just all so random.

My first thought was the start of epilepsy. Is the pacing done in the same places? My dog wore tracks in the lawn from constant pacing. There were other signs too which only fitted once we witnessed a proper fit. Moments of spacing out etc are also signs.

Becks, thanks, I'll keep that in mind. The pacing is generally in the lounge... so you may have a valid point and I'll put this on our list to watch for and ask the vet to rule it in our out.

This week, my husband bought an article home from the paper which was talking about a huge increase in depression in dogs due to the poor weather - rain and lack of sunshine.

With this in mind, I've spoken to the kids and we are all having a 'make Emma more happy' effort in case that's what it is. She's getting a very structured day of training, fun, strokes, grooming and love from everyone.

This will rule out any anxiety and depression issues.

Thanks all for your really helpful advice and concern.

x