Dogs experts...please help

D

divagirl

Cathlete
I'm concerned about my dog and could use advice.

1. approx. 6 months ago my vet said he tested positive for lyme's disease in a routine visit but he wasn't showing any symptoms so they let me decide whether to put him on antibiotics since it was controversial if the dog doesn't show symptoms. I opted not to.

2. For over a month now every evening he is getting anxious when it starts getting dark. This started with fireworks that were going off at night and now he associates night time with it (I guess) and starts getting scared...unable to relax..running around the house trying to hide. I've had him on some Bach flower remedy for stress for a week now but don't think that's helping too much.

3. Some mornings now he seems very tired and this morning never moved from the couch while I made breakfast and ate it. I went to pet him afterwards and he snarled at me, I pulled my hand away and then he got off the couch and laid on the floor away from me. A short time later I went over to him to pet him again and he snarled again, I raised my voice and then he came over all nervous like he was now sorry for what he did and then went away from me.

Could he be picking up on my general anxiety? Could this possibly be a symptom of lyme's? His behavior is concerning me. Any ideas?
 
Call your vet!!!

These are the symptoms for Lyme Disease in dogs:

Infected dogs may be lethargic, have a poor/loss of appetite, or a fever (103° - 105 ° F). Dogs may also experience lameness shifting from one joint to another, fatigue, kidney damage or failure, heart disorders, or neurologic involvement (e.g. aggression, confusion, overeating, seizures). Dogs can be infected with the Lyme bacterium but not exhibit any noticeable symptoms.

It is not too late to put your dog on antibiotics. If he already tested positive for Lyme Disease, there is a good chance the behavior you describe has to do with the Lyme Disease.

There are homeopathic treatments for dogs with Lyme Disease, me personally, I would opt for the homeopathic treatment, but it is a little controversial and homeopathic / naturopathic treatments belong in the hands of a homeopathically trained vet or naturopathic vet. Don't self-medicate!!

Good luck and keep us posted.

Carola
 
I called the vet and of course they say they have to see him but they said they don't think it has anything to do with lyme's. I have a feeling this will be a wasted visit. Our last visit was actually in October 2006 and he was fine except the lyme's.
 
>I called the vet and of course they say they have to see him
>but they said they don't think it has anything to do with
>lyme's. I have a feeling this will be a wasted visit. Our
>last visit was actually in October 2006 and he was fine except
>the lyme's.

Not sure this will be a wasted visit, there seems to be something going on with your dog! By the way, thyroid problems can cause aggression and anxiety as well.

Good luck! Hope your doggie will be doing better soon.

Carola
 
I agree with Carola that he should see the vet.

I'm no expert, but it would seem to me that if some of the Lyme symptoms like stiff, achy joints are manifesting themselves, the pain from that could be coming out as some misplaced aggression (i.e. snarling when you go to pet him).

FWIW, my friends Sheltie was recently diagnosed w/ Lyme Disease, though showed no symptoms. They put him on a course of antibiotics with no ill effects.

Hope your pup feels better.
 
It doesn't necessarily indicate lyme, those symptoms could be a variety of things--they're similar to Cosmo's symptoms when she had distemper. The dog needs bloodwork at the very least.
 
I called the vet and have an appointment tomorrow. They however said that the first thing they are going to want to do is neuter him after they do basic bloodwork. They said they wouldn't even treat him if he had a thyroid problem until he was neutered. He's already 9...I hate to neuter him now. Plus, that's only going to add to his stress at the moment. Ugh!
 
>I called the vet and have an appointment tomorrow. They
>however said that the first thing they are going to want to do
>is neuter him after they do basic bloodwork. They said they
>wouldn't even treat him if he had a thyroid problem until he
>was neutered. He's already 9...I hate to neuter him now.
>Plus, that's only going to add to his stress at the moment.
>Ugh!

What does the dog not being neutered have to do with thyroid treatments???? Never heard of that!! But they don't even know what it is yet!

Talk to another vet!

Carola
 
Not sure I understand why the vet doesn't find out what the problem is first before pushing you to have him neutered? The symptoms could be several things, but it also bugs me that they said over the phone that it didn't sound like Lyme disease. It certainly sounded like the description Carola gave. Plus, they already know he has it, so wouldn't that be a logical place to start? Also, did they explain to you why neutering a 9 year old dog was imperative in order for them to treat a thyroid if this is even a thyroid problem? Not trying to be critical of your vet, I'm sure he/she knows what he/she is talking about, just wondering if you have been given any explanations. I know my vet will take me for a ride if I let him. After three $100 visits (useless treatments, pills, etc..) for my one dog, I finally researched his problem myself and went back to the vet and TOLD them what the problem was. Since then, I'm very critical and make them give me answers and explanations for everything they do.
 
There is definitely something wrong here and I would go to a different vet. If he tested positive for Lyme, why didn't they treat him? I would get a second opinion and probably not go back to that vet.. sounds strange about the neutering too.
 
How many tests did you have for the Lyme's Disease? My dog tested positive on a routine visit (apparently this is now a routine test). The vet then suggested a second test, to see exactly what his blood levels were. According to my vet, unless the levels are over a certain number, you need not treat the disease. If the nuber is high, they run a series of antibiotics. Most often, that is all that is necessary to treat an infected animal. At least, that is what my doc said and what my research then confirmed.

According to my doc, it was time to worry when the dog became very lethargic and didn't have much care to go out, play, etc. I'd keep an eye on him for a few days before running off to the vet (just my opinion). He really might have just been having a bad day or been not feeling well from something that will resolve itself. We all have days when we want to be left alone, right!?

The fireworks thing is common amongst many dogs and tends to happen as they grow older. My female dog was very comfortable with loud noises as a puppy. By age three, thunder sent her flying upstairs under the bed and fireworks made her bark like a crazy lady cowering in the corner of the room. In fact, if the TV has thunder, she'd fly upstairs under the bed!

On the "fixing him," I'd be curious why they think this is necessary at the moment. I agree....he isn't going to be happy at all! Plus, if he is already feeling a little under the weather, this isn't going to help the poor guy.

How long have you noticed the changes? Has anything significant changed around your household lately?
 
My dog does seem better today so maybe he was just feeling under the weather. I cancelled the vet visit for now. He was only tested once for lyme and I guess it was low because they said it wasn't necessary to treat him but to keep an eye on him. That was 8 months ago....I think he'd be showing more serious signs by now.

The night time thing has been going on for over a month now and its every night since the fireworks. I'm going to take someone else's advice and play with him more at night and make night time more of a positive experience for him and see how that works.
 
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