Does anyone know what these symptoms mean?

[HuskyMcClusky]

Yesterday morning, my dog seemed terrified of something. There was no thunder but she was acting the way she does when there is; trembling, trying to ‘hide’ herself, panting and pacing. After an hour or so, she seemed to come good.

24 hours later, and she’s a nervous wreck again. Heavy panting, pacing the house, refusing to leave my side, trying to force herself out the door with me when I left.

I can’t hear or see anything out of the ordinary. I’m about to call the vet, but does anyone have any ideas?

[parrotonmyshoulder]

Pain of some kind. Vet a good idea.

[HuskyMcClusky]

Oh no, do you think? I was assuming she was scared (which is obviously not good either).

[HuskyMcClusky]

Vet’s phone engaged.

[parrotonmyshoulder]

My springer behaves exactly like that when in pain. He hurt his paws in the grit/ salt the other week and that’s how I knew.

[HuskyMcClusky]

Well, I just got back from the vet.

She asked lots of questions and then gave her a thorough physical examination and can’t find anything physically wrong with her. She said it might be the beginning onset of epilepsy, which they could diagnose by a blood test. Otherwise, it is what it seems: she’s scared of something. Keep an eye on her and come back if symptoms continue.

[SilverHairedCat]

Any rabbit shooting in your area? Neighbours having an argument?
The snow?

But vet check up is key.

[SilverHairedCat]

Sorry, x post.

[HuskyMcClusky]

The snow?

Sorry, this made me laugh - I’m in Australia!

[SilverHairedCat]

Ha, poor assumption on my part!

Still, could there be noises he is picking up on the distance? My parents dog hates shooting, fireworks, thunder etc and can hear them when we aren't aware of them. Roadworks?

[Flomy]

How about a plug in D.A.P diffuser for now?

Leave music on low, act normal around dog.

[BiteyShark]

Glad there is no obvious pain but frustrating not to know what was wrong.

[HuskyMcClusky]

Yes, I’ve been trying to think of noises it could be...there is a bit of construction going on a couple of streets away but that’s nothing new. Honestly, I got home from the gym this morning and she tried to force herself into the shower with me! It’s like the terror she gets from thunder (of which there is zero sign), but worse. V odd.

[Bubble2bubble]

One of my dogs did this when the smoke alarm battery was running out and beeping intermittently- took me a while to notice.
( otherwise would definitely say the dog is in pain)

[HuskyMcClusky]

Smoke alarm seems fine.

Of course, now that I’ve spunked $75 at the vet she’s snoozing on the sofa. 😂

[HuskyMcClusky]

Nope, not fine. I just popped to the neighbours and she body-slammed the fence and whined until I came back. Totally not normal for her at all!

[BiteyShark]

Is she ok in all the rooms in the house? Often my dog gets it in his head there are 'monsters' in the house which he must protect me from and I walk round with him in all the rooms to show him that nothing is there.

Anything new in the house? Sounds daft but my dog was growling and barking at a vase of flowers the other day getting very upset.

[Elend]

I was going to suggest keep it an eye on your dog in case of a seizure. My pup has them (rarely thank goodness) and this is how he acts before hand. Sometimes runs round and round like he's trying to get away from something, sometimes just won't leave me at all. The seizures are frightening to watch but if it happens it is important to make sure they don't hurt themselves on anything, if possible time how long it lasts, and be wary - my dog is very placid but if he has a seizure when he's not in his crate we have to close him in a room for quite a while as he gets confused and aggressive.

Really hope it is nothing of the sort though OP x

[HuskyMcClusky]

I’ve just discovered that she has actually smashed a hole through the wooden lattice fence! (not big enough for her to get through, clearly, but quite big). She would have to be really distressed to do that. I feel awful for her.

[HuskyMcClusky]

Elend, that was one of the things the vet was worried about too.

[HuskyMcClusky]

Nothing new or unusual in the house at all.

I asked the neighbours either side if their dogs have seemed disturbed (maybe hearing/smelling something different in the neighbourhood?). Nope.

[ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs]

Hi husky,
I'm a vet and a couple of weeks ago when we had the bad snow I was seeing about 3 cases a day of exactly this! I was starting to get a little spooked by it, to be honest, like the dogs knew something we didn't! They were howling at night, digging, panting, licking walls- all very odd. Maybe it is something to do with the snow, I really don't know! Good news is, haven't seen any since snow gone!

[ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs]

doh! Just saw you are in Australia, so obviously not snow, but maybe something else??

[HuskyMcClusky]

Platypus, thanks for trying anyway!

I really can’t think of a single thing that’s changed. The only thing I can think of is that something has frightened her while I was out. God knows when, though - I was home nearly all weekend and when I wasn’t, she was with me (on walks).

[Millipedewithherfeetup]

Bit of a long shot... but have you checked for rats/mice ? He may be hearing the scratching and that's what's freaking him out... or actually if you are in Australia snakes or something?

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

Your house isn't haunted, is it?