He is 9.5. We've noticed over the last month or so he has been quite reactive to things and almost seems to be hearing things? He'll be fast asleep in the evening and will jump up and start barking as if someone has just knocked on the door but there has been no noise whatsoever. We've found him sat all sad looking staring at walls.
Yesterday he was terrible. If we so much as brushed past him he started whimpering and yelping and cowering. He did it a few times when no one was anywhere near him. We have tried feeling all his legs, paws, ears etc and it doesn't seem to be one area that triggers him. He was also excessively panting continuously. Now I know it has been hot and he is a bit wooly at the moment as due a hair cut but we had him in a cool bath yesterday and led on cold towels to keep him cool and he was led under our ceiling fan on the bed last night just panting so so much and drooling more than usual, he's not normally a drooly dog at all. He doesn't seem to be able to settle and I'm worried he is in pain.
This morning the panting has stopped but he still looks unhappy and not his bouncy self at all. I have booked a vet appointment for tomorrow morning and I'm going to keep a close eye on him today. Our vets are open today but not until this PM and for emergencies only so I could phone them later for advice if needed.
I just have a bad feeling 😭