Odd Behavior by Traveler: Ideas?

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#1
Ok, so I just want some opinions on this thing Traveler does periodically that started about a year ago. I've avoided asking because I didn't want a doomsday answer but I figured it was worth a shot anyways.

All of a sudden he'll stop wanting to jump on me/on things. Which for him is really really weird. He'll come up to me and just sit on my feet hunched over and when he walks his back is kinda arched up. This is how I know it's happening.

He'll not make any noises (again, he's a very vocal dog who groans, moans and so on.

He'll then start a full body quiver in time with his breaths.

His muscles are all tensed.

Won't take food.

He'll walk, he can poop, pee, he's completely alert, responds to commands and me. His eyes are clear and awake and there is no repetitive clenching of any muscles or body parts. No twitching except for his quivering. No drooling either.

It tends to last anywhere from 10 minutes to half an hour.

I know it's done when he lets out a moan or groan in a deep breath.

I just don't know what it could be. I've thought maybe an upset stomach/gas but I just don't know. It doesn't seem like any kind of seizure I've ever heard of.

I haven't brought him to the vet for this because he's fine once it stops and I have no clue what they would be able to tell me if he isn't doing it.
 
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#3
I wonder if he's having some muscle spasms in his back?
What would be the best way to see if that was it?

If it means anything he does do full body stretches without any issue. He loves to come over and stretch off me with his back arched in a lot.
 

stardogs

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#4
Charlie horse? Or tummy upset - I've see Kes do something similar (hunched up, slow/stilted movement) when he really has to pee.

Might be worth looking into a chiro.
 
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#6
I meant maybe he's having some muscle spasms just during those episodes. Do you mean while this is going on he'll come over and stretch, or just in general? You could try gently feeling along the long muscles of the back - feel for areas that feel warmer, tighter, or harder than the surrounding areas. I usually just lightly use my palm first, and then gently walk my fingers down. If you get a skin twitch in any area, go back and investigate it a little more thoroughly.
 
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#7
Next time it happens, video it if you can!
I will if I can! Not sure if it will look like anything to anyone that doesn't know him. I had to do a lot of convincing to make anyone else in my family think anything was off.

And Sassafras, he doesn't stretch when it's happening. I thought you meant his back was off and was just saying he does stretch no issue when these things are happening. But I'll do that.
 

Lizmo

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#10
I would think some sort of back pain or muscle cramp. Maybe stretch him before and after play sessions?
This was my first thought as well. From the things I've read on here, I would start the search for a decent chiro. Could be a very simply fix with a chiro visit!
 

SaraB

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#11
This was my first thought as well. From the things I've read on here, I would start the search for a decent chiro. Could be a very simply fix with a chiro visit!
YES!! Totally forgot about chiropractors! Loooong day with tooo many classes.
 

Toller_08

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#12
I agree that it could be muscle cramps but I also would take him in to see a chiropractor. I've had so many good experiences with chiro for my dogs. And especially since he is so active and bouncy, he could easily have something out of place. I hope whatever it is that it's nothing too serious and can be easily helped.
 

Doberluv

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#13
With his back all hunched up, it makes me think something in his abdomen is hurting....like he's trying to get the weight off by raising his back up. I hope he'll be all right. I'd make sure with a vet that there's nothing wrong internally first. Best wishes that he's okay.
 
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#14
My first thought would be that it sounds like stomach cramps.
Yeah, I'm still leaning towards something with the stomach but I could be way off. He was farting away last night later on so that also makes me think that.

But his poop is fine and he's pooped before while this was going on. But on the flip side it seemed like it was happening in a larger cluster when he was doing that thing were he didn't want to eat poultry and had thrown up a few times.

At the same time he did take a fall yesterday while going after a frisbee, but I don't remember anything like that before when it's happened.

It's just weird to me how it passes so fast. The way he'll be curled up hiding against me quivering and then that will slow down and he'll let out this loud groan/moan/breath and that's how I know it's done with. And then he's back to normal jumping me and being him. It's happened about maybe 6-8 times in a year.

I did look up and found the vet he's gone to (I'm terrible with keeping regular vets, I see them so infrequently I don't have a relationship with any) does have Chiro and the one that does it is a vet he's seen once or twice.

About how much does this usually cost? From what I was reading on their site I need to first have a one on one consultation (which makes sense) and then they get back to me with the course of action they think is best and we discuss it again and then we act on it and then there are followups.

I just hate it because he's my boy and anytime he's off at all I get super worried and he's so sad when this is happening. So not himself, even though he bounces back 10-30 minutes later when it's over like it was nothing. But when he's looking at me with sad eyes and curled against me quivering it's such a bad feeling because I can't figure out what to do to make it better.
 

JacksonsMom

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#16
Oh, man. I have no ideas or suggestions, other than what everyone already said. It does sound like some sort of a stomach issue, but like you said, it's hard to pinpoint.

I just know what you mean about them being "off" and it's so sad to see. I'm sending Trav some good vibes that it can be "cured" and not cause him too much pain or anything... hope he's back to 100000% again soon!
 
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#17
I just know what you mean about them being "off" and it's so sad to see. I'm sending Trav some good vibes that it can be "cured" and not cause him too much pain or anything... hope he's back to 100000% again soon!
Luckily as soon as it's finished he's back to himself right away! I'm the one left angsting while he's looking at me like "Ball."

My other thought today was I remembered that when it was happening a lot with his throwing up I was also fasting him a lot. And yesterday when it happened I hadn't fed him a lot because I was almost to the end of my raw and figured Didgie needed it more than him and he could wait for the other stuff to defrost.

I know you take him swimming a lot - could it possibly be cramping due to cold water?
I don't think any of the days it's happened we had been swimming. I'm almost happy about that, I don't think we both could live without him swimming :p
 

JacksonsMom

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#18
Luckily as soon as it's finished he's back to himself right away! I'm the one left angsting while he's looking at me like "Ball."

My other thought today was I remembered that when it was happening a lot with his throwing up I was also fasting him a lot. And yesterday when it happened I hadn't fed him a lot because I was almost to the end of my raw and figured Didgie needed it more than him and he could wait for the other stuff to defrost.



I don't think any of the days it's happened we had been swimming. I'm almost happy about that, I don't think we both could live without him swimming :p
Lol, yeah that's always good though.. to know it can't be bothering them THAT much. Jackson will pull stuff like that sometimes... act like he's not feeling well or whatever and I'm all worried and then he goes FLYING off the couch to go run at full speed outside when he hears the four wheelers drive by on other side of the fence. I'm like ooohhkkayyy guess you're absolutely fine nutball. haha.

I also hear you on the swimming! I think I would kill myself all summer long if he didn't have swimming. He hates heat so water is the only way he gets TRUE exercise.

But anyways back on topic... *vibes to Trav and YOU more importantly* ;)
 

SpringerLover

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#19
I don't want to know where my two elderlies would be without a chiro we know, like, and trust! Do you know of anyone who uses one? I went by referrals and luckily the first one has been the best for us (we've tried others and I was less than satisfied).
 

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