Wtf is wrong with my dog??

[curiousgeorgie]

Worst night ever. He wouldn't just lay down on or under the bed like he usually does, he was panting like crazy and barking and growling.

I went and let him out at 1am in case that was the problem but he carried on after he came in.

About 3 he started growling under the bed and woke up my baby... I got down on the floor to tell him to get out and as I reached to stroke his nose he bit me. Quite badly and it bled for a while.

(He has bitten once before, years ago, when my oldest DC was a baby and a strange man grabbed his face, but we immediately got a police dog handler round the house to help and he's been amazing since.)

I've checked him all over today to see if anything hurts and it doesn't seem to, the only new thing he has (which I'm sure is nothing) is a little wart on his tail.

He's a 7 year old cocker spaniel and we really love him. He's very restless even now and panting like crazy. He occasionally lays down and trembles

He does need a haircut but
not desperately so, and it's not hot.

I can't take him to the vet by myself with a toddler and a baby but have booked an appointment tomorrow evening when DH would be here.

Ideally I want to take him now I'm so worried.

[LEMmingaround]

Ring the vets now OP - when I worked at the vets, home visits were done between surgeries and consultations - about this sort of time, it will be a small window so see if they can come. It really isn't fair to leave him in such distress :( I know its not your fault but if you can get him some medical care it would be for the best.

[curiousgeorgie]

He's out but he's just frantic. Im holding my 7mo and he's just going loopy.

I've never ever seen him like this. It's scaring me. I've asked my mum to come out of work because I can't reach DH

[curiousgeorgie]

Like piriton?

[coffeeinbed]

Anything on the tails is very painful.
Poor doggie.

[lougle]

If he is frantic and you're at all worried about your baby or yourself, I'd personally put his bed in the safest, smallest, quietest room you've got, then throw some treats in there to entice him in, and shut him in.

He'll be safe, you'll be safe, and you'll be able to think about what to do next.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Check with the vet before you give anything, human medicines can kill pets eg paracetamol is fatal to cats.

[D0oinMeCleanin]

The calmer you are, the calmer the dog will be. Is there a safe room in the house you can leave him in? Pop his lead on, if he will let you and take him there. Don't drag him or pick him up. If he won't let you near him, just leave him be. Try and put some music on to drown out the sound of the wind (not too loud though)

Going behind the TV sounds to me like he is trying to find a 'den' something dogs do when they are nervous.

Piriton is usually fine for dogs but I would leave off giving him anything until he has seen a vet, you don't know what the vet will want to give him.

[tabulahrasa]

I wouldn't give him anything until you know what it is.

I'd put him somewhere safe and quiet as well.

[1MitchellMum]

Hope your Mum gets to you soon. It's not easy to think straight when you're scared and distressed. Meanwhile I suggest keeping baby in a separate room and call the vet again so when your Mum arrives you can hopefully take him straight in.

[LEMmingaround]

Be careful about giving human meds, the dosage doesn't follow the same scale for dogs. If something is irritating him though, an anti-histamine may work, if you have something like that in the house then give your vet a call to work out dosage.

Can you bear to leave him in the room on his own? i know its counter intuitive but obviously its difficult to keep the baby quiet - you poor love, i wish i was closer.

To be honest, i think this is smeothing that needs sorting quickly, to minimise the dogs distress, but it doesn't sound like he is in any immediate danger - can you see his mouth etc? are his mumous membranes (the pink bits) nice and pink still? If they start to look pale or grey, then you have an actual emergency and you will probably need to get him to the vets immediately.

[curiousgeorgie]

I'll put his bed in the utility room, anywhere else has windows.

Thanks everyone. This is seriously horrible.

[AgathaF]

I've been reading this thread and no advice. I just hope you get your poor dog seen soon. I can imagine you must be really scared having a baby in the house too.

[fanoftheinvisibleman]

Can't give any advice beyong what you'be had. Hope you get seen soon.

[CajaDeLaMemoria]

Is he usually in good health? No heart issues, etc?

I wouldn't treat him with anything, incase the vet needs to give him something.

How stressed is he by being away from you?

[Excitedforxmas]

Aww hope he's ok

[SnakeyMcBadass]

Any news, Op? Thinking of you.

[LumpySpacePrincessOhMyGlob]

Poor mite, hope he's okay.

[TeaAndSconesTwice]

Hope he's ok op.

[OnceUponAThyme]

I hope he's ok, and you too

[QOD]

Oh dear, hope he's ok

[Frettchen]

Hope you're ok, OP.

How's he been since this morning?

Shall be thinking of you this evening; fingers crossed the vet can work out what's going on.

[BettyOff]

I hope you're all ok and have managed to get him to the vets or are going soon.

[furlinedsheepskinjacket]

oh poor dog and poor you.hope everything ok at vets.sounds awful.xx

[notapizzaeater]

Poor dog, hope vet sorted him (or at least calmed him down)