My dog bit me

[TigsytheTiger]

I have a large Rhodesian Ridgeback who will be 8 years old in March and a French Bulldog who is just 4.

Last night I tried to get them both to go out and do a wee about 10pm. The Bulldog trotted off but my Ridgie sat there, eyes open but upright with a vacant look in his eyes. He's done this a few times over recent months and has snapped at my daughter who is 18 when she tried to touch him. I have told her not to touch him again when he seems to be in this vacant place. He wouldn't move last night so I gently touched his shoulder and said his name and turned on me snarling and bit my finger leaving quite a deep wound and lots of bleeding.

A few hours spent in A&E, hand dressed and antibiotics given. However I am very shaken and now very concerned and will speak to the vet tomorrow when they open.

He's back to his usual docile waggy tailed self but this is not a good sign and seems to be an escalation.

He's also wee'd and poo'ed a couple of times overnight in the house which again is totally out of character but seems fine otherwise and eats well and bounces around on walks.

I had a Ridgeback previously who had a massive brain tumour and had to be put to sleep but with hindsight was behaving a bit oddly for a few months previously - although not this vacant, trance like state with aggression.

Just wondered if anyone had experienced similar. I will obviously deal with this, although not helped by him being totally vet phobic and can only be examined under sedation.

I can't have an aggressive dog that is a danger to me and others but it's broken my heart that my big soft baby is behaving so strangely.

My partner died in an accident nearly 4 years ago and this dog was my rock in my deepest darkest hours.

Vets.

Could possibly be a brain tumour or even epilepsy. Hope things turn out ok.

Just wondering as last night was NYE whether fireworks may have scared him? Especially with the toileting indoors?

Sounds like he is having fits and is behaving out of character. My dog would mess when he was having a fit so maybe yours is having them overnight which would explain the toileting indoors.
My dog had a suspected brain tumour too. He really went downhill from the age of 7/8 and didn’t live for much longer sadly.

Vets asap, surely you don't need us to tell you this.

Vascular events maybe. Can cause periods of confusion which could explain him reacting and biting you, maybe doesn’t realise who/where you are. Only the vet will be able to determine the cause obviously. Hope you get to the bottom of it

Definitely see your vet. Even a placid dog can bite if unwell or in pain. When a house trained dog messes in the house there’s usually some other issue causing it. My dog had a urine infection and started weeing indoors, she was still happy and playful and eating well but was also very grumpy and snapped at my son twice. The vet did a dip test and prescribed antibiotics, and fingers crossed she seems back to normal.

I would have assumed seizure or a brain tumour.

No thank you I don't need anyone to tell me to go to the vets. As stated in the OP, I'm going tomorrow, they aren't open today. I just wondered if anyone had experience of these vacant type episodes.

The soiling indoors has been once or twice in the last couple of weeks. So not due to fireworks although he doesn't like them. My fear is a brain tumour like my previous Ridgeback who was a similar age when he had one.

That's interesting about the urine infection thank you, I'll take a sample with me.

Vets are open New Year's Day, there will be an emergency number on your own vets answerphone.
I had to take my own dog on NYD two years ago for an eye infection.

I had to go outside and catch a fresh sample in the sterile pot provided by the vet. Didn’t even realise the urine was cloudy and bloody till I saw it in the pot. A UTI can cause mental confusion if it’s really bad.

Sounds like petit mal / absence seizures to me. He does need to see a vet, but tomorrow is fine. They may not be able to find anything on exam, especially if he has to be sedated first. Seizures can be as a result of a number of causes, but can also be idiopathic. If it is infrequent, medication is not always recommended, but with the aggression, I think it would be worth it.

Thank you all. I've called Vets and left a message for a call back although I think he is fine until tomorrow, I can at least talk to them and see what they say

Just wanted to say good luck and hope it is a water infection - I really feel for you. Sending positive vibes and hugs to you and your doggie.

I have experience with epilepsy in dogs and all this sounds depressingly familiar. In the circumstances I would keep him isolated from the children and other pets until you've spoken to the vet.

Yes definitely sounds like seizures. We have a lab who has epilepsy. It is not related to a brain tumour and is now pretty much under control. He's had one fit in the last 12 months when he was having one every 7-10 days! If course you need your vet but please research cbd oil if he is diagnosed with epilepsy. We believe this had made a huge difference to our boy. Good luck!

As a fellow Ridgeback owner, just wanted to send you love and hope it is nothing too sinister x

How did it go at the vets?

Spoke to the vet first thing and he has an appointment at 11 am tomorrow. I'll take a urine sample with me.

I explained he is a nightmare at the vets which means being muzzled and even then he will only let me put it on and still won't let anyone bear him! However it's a start

Just placemarking for an update OP...hope its nothing sinister

Glad you've got an appointment. If he does it again, video him so the vet can see what he's doing. (But don't touch him -you don't want to get bitten again).

Vets visit this morning and he has been referred to the doggy hospital tomorrow for sedation and full set of tests including bloods. The Vet suggested it could be dementia but they have to rule out any physical cause first of all. I have 6 diazepam to give him before we go and a further 2 to administer at 30 minute intervals if they don’t knock him out enough for the full sedation injection to be administered. My poor old boy. I’m trying not to worry too much until I actually know there is something to worry about.

That sounds so worrying. Poor dog and poor you. 😢

Sorry he has to go through this. Hopefully you will soon find out the cause of his uncharacteristic behaviour. Poor fella. I can tell you really love him.

Oh bless his heart. ....fingers crossed everything goes well