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Need some help with a dog?
My friend has a dog, he is normally a very happy, loving dog. He is healthy (near as she can tell). Recently he has been acting different, mean, and withdrawn. She said he tried to attack her a couple times today. She is considering putting him down since she has kids. But it is really upsetting her cause this family LOVES this dog. So I thought I would look for advice here.
They have recently moved, but she noticed his changes before the move, so if anything the move may have added stress to an already "sick" dog. She said he zones out for a little bit and then turns aggressive. Seizures maybe? He also whines and barks in his sleep, which he has never done before. NO food changes, no major life changes. They do have a cat that isn't fixed, and the dog seems different when the cat is in heat. Could the cat be triggering the dog? The dog is fixed. I wonder if the cat in heat can cause the dog some stress or something. Any other ideas for this poor family and dog? The cat is getting spayed soon, and the dog is going to the vet next week.
7 Answers
- Anonymous8 years ago
I don't think I would wait a week to get a suddenly aggressive dog into the vet, especially if he has already tried ATTACKING me. Very scary when dogs suddenly turn aggressive.
She needs to get him tested completely.. but it sounds like a neurological issue and sadly, I don't think it would be smart to keep this dog around children.
Important factors are breed and age, shot records?? Has he has his rabies and distemper shots?
I hope she gets this figured out before the dog does any permanent damage to her or God forbid her children!
- E. H. AmosLv 78 years ago
Have the vet run a blood & urine panel on the dog (esp to check THYROID function) & do a physical exam on the dog to look for body pain/discomfort. Some dogs with LOW thyroid can turn aggressive. (If so, it can be fixed with medication.) Other health issues could also be causing the unexpected aggression from Brain Tumor to Hyperparathyroidism (entirely different from hypothyroidism).
Source(s): Hypothyroidism links: http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/dog-hypo.htm http://www.marvistavet.com/html/hypothyroidism.htm... Hyperparathyroidism links: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/hyperparathyroidism-i... See: Neurobehavioral and Neurocognitive Features.: http://www.endotext.org/parathyroid/parathyroid5/p... - RayLv 68 years ago
The dog is either suffering from high stress or is ill. He is trying to communicate with you. Before your friend does anything radical like put him down, take him to a vet.
- ?Lv 48 years ago
Sounds like a neurological problem. The dog should be put down if there is a risk of it attacking. Especially if children are involved.
Source(s): Doberman breeder - How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- ?Lv 78 years ago
The recent move is a major stressor. Stress can bring out illness.
Sudden changes in behavior and attitude can be caused by illness or injury.
I recommend getting the dog to the veterinarian ASAP: it's more important than spaying the cat. The dog could harm one of those children... get the dog to the vet ASAP.
- 8 years ago
What kind of dog is it? If its a Springer or Cocker Spaniel, it sounds like Spaniel Rage.
- 8 years ago
I think that is a mental illness that you need to go to a vet as soon as possible. It could also bought by stress of moving and changes in the environment. It is necessary to let he vet check up on him for any possible illness.
