Help

[dirtie_birdie]

Hi..i have a 7 yr old German Shepherd Male with a split personality!!

One minute he is the lovely sweet friendly dog he normally is then the next he acts very timid and fearful, cowering, hiding and often pee-ing on the floor. This comes on very suddenly out of nowhere.

This started gradually around the start of December when his existing condition (Pancreatic Enzyme Insufficency) flared up after nearly 3yrs of no problems.

Does anyone recognise this or have any tips?

I have another vets appointment at the end of the week but was looking for some advice in the meantime? The last time i mentioned it to my vet he dismissed it as attention seeking but it has gradually gone from when we come back home to 90% of the time.

Help Please
thanks

 

[Renee750il]

It does sound like a dog that knows it's ill and vulnerable. Lots and lots of reassurance and patience.

Did it start when he'd been to the vet? If so, I'd be checking into another vet! I wouldn't be terribly pleased with a vet who dismissed this behaviour as attention seeking anyway. Dogs don't act fearful when they want attention, they may become mischievious, destructive, even fake an injury or illness, but rarely, if ever do they act in the way you've described, especially a Shepherd, and that goes doubly for a mature Shepherd.

 

[dirtie_birdie]

I did wonder - he's never acted like this before even with my ex-partner who had a very violent temper.

I think the vet dismissed it at first because it was only happening when he had been in the house alone. But it is happened more and more often. Even after he has came up for a cuddle, you can talk to him 2 minutes later and he cowers away.

I dont like to think of my boy being frightened of the people who love him the most :S

 

[Renee750il]

I can understand how terribly upset you must be! That would just break my heart.

Try to notice everything that is going on when he has one of his spells: sounds, events, etc., then write it all down so that maybe you can start to see a pattern.

Does he have any possessions or toys that he's particularly fond of? If so, when he gets scared, you might try getting one of his favorites out to distract him. Or even just go to the window and exclaim in an excited voice, "What is it?" or some other phrase that he keys on. Just anything to distract him from his fears.

 

[CreatureTeacher]

I agree with Renee--I would get myself a new vet and go right away. Behavior changes don't happen overnight, but illness might. Endocrine issues can cause huge mood swings like those you describe...I would have the vet do a complete analysis, though. Get a really in-depth physical with blood and urine tests, and you might consider having an ultrasound of the pancreas. Let us know what happens!

 

[dirtie_birdie]

Thanks all...

He was really loving last nite, came up and lay with his head on my partners stomach and they fell asleep like that (awww) and this morning he came in and jumped on the bed for a cuddle..but 10 minutes later after been asked for a cuddle in the living room he peed all over the floor for absolutely no reason....I will be demanding more attention from the vet on this case. Unfort i dont have the transport to attend the next nearest vet which is quite a distance away so im gonna have to stick with the one i have.

Thanks for all your replies, i let you know after Friday what the vet says.

 

[smkie]

Is he in pain? Could there be a surge of discomfort? That would make me act like that. I don't know the signs and symptoms of your dog's illness. I would deffinately get a second opinion, and let the first vet know as well what you think. A change in behavior should never be dismissed. I found working in the nursing home that people's behavior almost always have a good reason..eg.. I asked Lucille..Why do you throw your peaches at the aids when they are serving breakfast..and she said.. "DID you ever try to eat cling peaches without your teeth in?" I find asking why to be the first step to all my problem solving. Asking Lucille why she did things..got very interesting in the year I was aquainted with her..I just loved her s much and everyone else thought she was a horrible pain in the *&^* All vets are not good!!! Finding one you can trust is so important.