Confused and worried..please help? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Fuzzmom · 12-16-2008, 11:27 PM

Hello..i'm new to posting but have been on the forum for awhile and it's been veyr helpful. I've got a ten and a half year old male who's always been a bit of a grouch and protective of food...he also wasn't treated right by an ex family member for the first 3 years of his life..we are both out of the situation now but I think it affected him mentalwise. He had seizures about 6 months ago, my vet didn't prescribe anything to see if they would go awy. They have. but now he's snapping at everyone, dogs, cats, people. Not just over food, but even if someone walks by. The scary part is it's unpredictable. One inute a dog can pass by fine, pay with him Sleep On Him, and no problem. The next minute the same dog passes by and isviciously attacked, and he won't stop. Tonight it was my older lab, the worst fight ever, he bt her eye, not serious enough to cause damage but enough to draw a little blood. I took a bite breaking it up, again not serious. All are utd on shots so no wory there. Mt dad thinks he's losing his sight, I'm just confused. Now, Ball, short for Fuzzball has had 5 years of o b, gone through intermediate level 2 as my trainer put it, so it's not as if he hasn't had some training. Normally in a scuffle I can call him off. Now I can't get his attention at all. When he's in fight mode he'll bite anything within 2 feet of himself. Even the cats aren't safe now. He's also got diagnosed separation anxiety, and after sevceral rounds of beh. mod. and antianxiety meds the vets couldn't figure out what to do with him. I put it here for 2 reasons, a. is it mental, it's getting waaay worse and is there a med that can slow it down or fix it? Like the cognative type drugs for humans? And B. I wasnt sure where else to put it and this was the most urgent situation we'ave ever had, so sorry if it's in the wrong place. He really won't adjust to someone new at ten anda half and I don't even want to..can't think about the other option at all. He's kept me sane when I wanted to check out so many tims, now it's m turn and I don't want to let my Baby Ball down, especially if it's medical and fixable. I'm try ing a new vet later in the week and I just hope he can suggest Something. It doesn't gelp I'm dead flat broke but I'll figure it out somehow. If it was predictable..like the food thing..i could work around it but it isn't. Thanks for any help you can give. Bawling eyes out and on't know what to do and he's got that silky head on my fot like everything's okay and I want it to be. Please help Ball if you can.

Wylie's Mom · 12-17-2008, 10:11 AM

Oh, poor Ball

! I'm so sorry, this sounds tough on both of you.

Well, my guess would be that perhaps during the seizures some brain damage may have occurred and it's causing him confusion and some aggression. Have they tried Valium? And and anti-depressant? Or both together? He may need both. Maybe ask about "mood stabilizing" meds? I have no idea if they give those to dogs, or to what extent.

Another thing to look into is D.A.P. - "dog appeasing pheromone" - it is sold online and in some pet stores too - it could help him.

It may help to go to another vet, as you already are - maybe they'll have some add'l ideas for you. I so hope you can find something that works.

Kenna · 12-17-2008, 10:29 AM

I just want to say I am sorry this is happening with Ball. Sounds like something is going on that maybe he is frightened off and attacking is his way of dealing with it...such as losing his sight...don't know but definitely have him cked by another vet.

You may want to keep him seperated and just have alone time with him until you can figure out what exactly is going on with him.

Hugs to you and Ball.

Yorkieluv · 12-17-2008, 12:13 PM

Has he had bloodwork to check if he's sick?? Many times dogs become aggressive b/c they are sick or in pain. Prayers for your baby.

Fuzzmom · 12-17-2008, 12:20 PM

Hi again. The Dap hasn't done anything..tried that several different times..mostly for the sep. nxiety and once again after the seizures. No, my original vet is against valium...he's a toy breed...i mean come on he's tweve or thirteen pounds, not a "teacup" size. Keeping him separate really I don't know how I will...he will scream for hours, pee and poop everyplace, and the neighbors do complain whenever he gets going. the sep anxiety again. also he's not as quick for things like "outside" or Byebye anymore and that's just not him. I can understand he's frightened if all of the rest of the fuzzes are playing and trundling around, but if someone's just walking by..what's going on? I',m ready to try My a.d. meds, I' on Trazidone but don't know if that's safe for fuzzes or not. Hopefully this new vet will Do something, except yank us around like the other one has. He sleeps less at night, 'talks to himself" alot too. Tried st. John's wort, no go. Valerian root, no go. Calmative, I think from foster and smith or was it rc stel before they changed..no go. Benedryl..et recommended..made him Hyper Wound! And they said it would be a sedative...he takes doses of tings for a fuzz 3 times his size..vet rec..and they Still don't work. Clomacalm, no go. Amatryptaline, guesing on spelling, same result. Sereenu, didn't do much. So that's the list i' e tried for the Ball and those are the successe..or lack of them..that I've had. So tired I haven't been to bed since last night. .

Wylie's Mom · 12-17-2008, 05:04 PM

Hmmmm, I don't understand the vet's problem w/ valium. It IS used in dogs and cats - I used in my older 7 lb. cat. It is used for anxiety in both dogs and cats - and even for thunderstorms for dogs who go berserk during them. It also used as a seizure med. So, I guess I'd be demanding it or seeing another vet. I mean, if it works for your baby at an acceptable and safe dose, it'd be so worth it. He is having a very hard time (not to mention you too!).

Ladymom · 12-17-2008, 06:21 PM

If he has just started having seizures, it is unlikely he has epilepsy. The onset of seizures in a ten year old dog are usually a symptom of something else. Unfortunately, the number one cause of seizures in a dog that age is a brain tumor. That would certainly explain his abnormal behavior and could explain his loss of vision.

I would suggest that you consult a neurologist.

wemple2 · 12-17-2008, 08:23 PM

I will keep your Fuzzball in my prayers. It does unfortunately sound neurological. Hope the new vet can help or at least point you in the right direction. Good luck, and please do keep us posted!

Ladymom · 12-17-2008, 08:40 PM

Here is a link with information on brain tumors. The second article is especially informative. Besides the aggression and vision problems you described, it also cites geriatric separation anxiety as a symptom. Didn't you say he was just diagnosed with separation anxiety?

Underlying Causes for Seizures

Fuzzmom · 12-18-2008, 03:43 PM

Hi..oh dear God i hope you're wrong. Yes the second article was Extremely informative, thak you so much. Hopefully I Can get to the new vet soon..we have sixteen inches of snow andmore coming, so A. the roads may ot be passsable, and B. don't know if they'llbe open for nonemergency type visits. Only one snap incident today, he was playing fine and then someone trundled on him accidentally. I grabbed him and put in timeout before it got bad. The valium sounds like a possible option...at this rate Mommy Needs the valium!! My nerves are shot! He slept in bed last nigt and I kept everyone else otu int he main house..that worked well. As long as I'm there he was fne. Although he slet on the floor and that was weird usually in the bed right on me. Anything I can give household till I get to the vet? He'ss stil got an amazingly high food drive, so giving a pill i no problem whatsoever. also, are there any programs out there to help with vet costs? I don't want to not be able to treat him because of money. like I said, I'm dead flat broke and things don't look like turning around for awhile. My work is slow, and until it picks up I'm sorta stuck but I will do anything for my pricky ears Ball.

mk97 · 12-27-2008, 07:49 PM

I know this post is a few days old, but the baby could also have dementia/Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. We had a dog come into our clinic that started to attack her owner(and she was a Chow), we started her on medication and the owner was very pleased that the pet responded and did well up until they put her down for other reasons. The medication was anipryl and here's an article on it. Good luck with your baby.

Anipryl® - Help for Senior Pets?

Ladymom · 12-27-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mk97

I know this post is a few days old, but the baby could also have dementia/Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. We had a dog come into our clinic that started to attack her owner(and she was a Chow), we started her on medication and the owner was very pleased that the pet responded and did well up until they put her down for other reasons. The medication was anipryl and here's an article on it. Good luck with your baby.

Anipryl® - Help for Senior Pets?

This dog is having seizures, though. I don't think that is a symptom of dementia, is it?

wemple2 · 12-27-2008, 08:40 PM

Any news...update? I hope all is well.

12-16-2008, 11:27 PM	#1
Fuzzmom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 33	Confused and worried..please help? Hello..i'm new to posting but have been on the forum for awhile and it's been veyr helpful. I've got a ten and a half year old male who's always been a bit of a grouch and protective of food...he also wasn't treated right by an ex family member for the first 3 years of his life..we are both out of the situation now but I think it affected him mentalwise. He had seizures about 6 months ago, my vet didn't prescribe anything to see if they would go awy. They have. but now he's snapping at everyone, dogs, cats, people. Not just over food, but even if someone walks by. The scary part is it's unpredictable. One inute a dog can pass by fine, pay with him Sleep On Him, and no problem. The next minute the same dog passes by and isviciously attacked, and he won't stop. Tonight it was my older lab, the worst fight ever, he bt her eye, not serious enough to cause damage but enough to draw a little blood. I took a bite breaking it up, again not serious. All are utd on shots so no wory there. Mt dad thinks he's losing his sight, I'm just confused. Now, Ball, short for Fuzzball has had 5 years of o b, gone through intermediate level 2 as my trainer put it, so it's not as if he hasn't had some training. Normally in a scuffle I can call him off. Now I can't get his attention at all. When he's in fight mode he'll bite anything within 2 feet of himself. Even the cats aren't safe now. He's also got diagnosed separation anxiety, and after sevceral rounds of beh. mod. and antianxiety meds the vets couldn't figure out what to do with him. I put it here for 2 reasons, a. is it mental, it's getting waaay worse and is there a med that can slow it down or fix it? Like the cognative type drugs for humans? And B. I wasnt sure where else to put it and this was the most urgent situation we'ave ever had, so sorry if it's in the wrong place. He really won't adjust to someone new at ten anda half and I don't even want to..can't think about the other option at all. He's kept me sane when I wanted to check out so many tims, now it's m turn and I don't want to let my Baby Ball down, especially if it's medical and fixable. I'm try ing a new vet later in the week and I just hope he can suggest Something. It doesn't gelp I'm dead flat broke but I'll figure it out somehow. If it was predictable..like the food thing..i could work around it but it isn't. Thanks for any help you can give. Bawling eyes out and on't know what to do and he's got that silky head on my fot like everything's okay and I want it to be. Please help Ball if you can.

12-17-2008, 10:11 AM	#2
Wylie's Mom Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 35,889 Blog Entries: 2	Oh, poor Ball ! I'm so sorry, this sounds tough on both of you. Well, my guess would be that perhaps during the seizures some brain damage may have occurred and it's causing him confusion and some aggression. Have they tried Valium? And and anti-depressant? Or both together? He may need both. Maybe ask about "mood stabilizing" meds? I have no idea if they give those to dogs, or to what extent. Another thing to look into is D.A.P. - "dog appeasing pheromone" - it is sold online and in some pet stores too - it could help him. It may help to go to another vet, as you already are - maybe they'll have some add'l ideas for you. I so hope you can find something that works. __________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann \| Pfeiffer \| Marcel Verdel Purcell \| Wylie \| Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨°

12-17-2008, 12:13 PM	#4
Yorkieluv Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA Posts: 7,178	Has he had bloodwork to check if he's sick?? Many times dogs become aggressive b/c they are sick or in pain. Prayers for your baby. __________________ Miko 's his Mommy

12-17-2008, 05:04 PM	#6
Wylie's Mom Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 35,889 Blog Entries: 2	Hmmmm, I don't understand the vet's problem w/ valium. It IS used in dogs and cats - I used in my older 7 lb. cat. It is used for anxiety in both dogs and cats - and even for thunderstorms for dogs who go berserk during them. It also used as a seizure med. So, I guess I'd be demanding it or seeing another vet. I mean, if it works for your baby at an acceptable and safe dose, it'd be so worth it. He is having a very hard time (not to mention you too!). __________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann \| Pfeiffer \| Marcel Verdel Purcell \| Wylie \| Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨°

12-17-2008, 06:21 PM	#7
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	If he has just started having seizures, it is unlikely he has epilepsy. The onset of seizures in a ten year old dog are usually a symptom of something else. Unfortunately, the number one cause of seizures in a dog that age is a brain tumor. That would certainly explain his abnormal behavior and could explain his loss of vision. I would suggest that you consult a neurologist. __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

12-17-2008, 10:29 AM	#3
Kenna YT Addict Join Date: May 2008 Location: USA Posts: 367	I just want to say I am sorry this is happening with Ball. Sounds like something is going on that maybe he is frightened off and attacking is his way of dealing with it...such as losing his sight...don't know but definitely have him cked by another vet. You may want to keep him seperated and just have alone time with him until you can figure out what exactly is going on with him. Hugs to you and Ball.

12-17-2008, 12:20 PM	#5
Fuzzmom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 33	Hi again. The Dap hasn't done anything..tried that several different times..mostly for the sep. nxiety and once again after the seizures. No, my original vet is against valium...he's a toy breed...i mean come on he's tweve or thirteen pounds, not a "teacup" size. Keeping him separate really I don't know how I will...he will scream for hours, pee and poop everyplace, and the neighbors do complain whenever he gets going. the sep anxiety again. also he's not as quick for things like "outside" or Byebye anymore and that's just not him. I can understand he's frightened if all of the rest of the fuzzes are playing and trundling around, but if someone's just walking by..what's going on? I',m ready to try My a.d. meds, I' on Trazidone but don't know if that's safe for fuzzes or not. Hopefully this new vet will Do something, except yank us around like the other one has. He sleeps less at night, 'talks to himself" alot too. Tried st. John's wort, no go. Valerian root, no go. Calmative, I think from foster and smith or was it rc stel before they changed..no go. Benedryl..et recommended..made him Hyper Wound! And they said it would be a sedative...he takes doses of tings for a fuzz 3 times his size..vet rec..and they Still don't work. Clomacalm, no go. Amatryptaline, guesing on spelling, same result. Sereenu, didn't do much. So that's the list i' e tried for the Ball and those are the successe..or lack of them..that I've had. So tired I haven't been to bed since last night. .

12-17-2008, 08:23 PM	#8
wemple2 Wee Winston Wiggles Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kewanee, Illinois Posts: 9,666	I will keep your Fuzzball in my prayers. It does unfortunately sound neurological. Hope the new vet can help or at least point you in the right direction. Good luck, and please do keep us posted! __________________ As Ever, Kathy Intruducing Bentley Winston and Spencer: RIP My Sweet Angels

12-17-2008, 08:40 PM	#9
Ladymom Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,317	Here is a link with information on brain tumors. The second article is especially informative. Besides the aggression and vision problems you described, it also cites geriatric separation anxiety as a symptom. Didn't you say he was just diagnosed with separation anxiety? Underlying Causes for Seizures __________________ http://www.myladysdogbows.com/ http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref...6213341?ref=nf

12-18-2008, 03:43 PM	#10
Fuzzmom Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 33	Hi..oh dear God i hope you're wrong. Yes the second article was Extremely informative, thak you so much. Hopefully I Can get to the new vet soon..we have sixteen inches of snow andmore coming, so A. the roads may ot be passsable, and B. don't know if they'llbe open for nonemergency type visits. Only one snap incident today, he was playing fine and then someone trundled on him accidentally. I grabbed him and put in timeout before it got bad. The valium sounds like a possible option...at this rate Mommy Needs the valium!! My nerves are shot! He slept in bed last nigt and I kept everyone else otu int he main house..that worked well. As long as I'm there he was fne. Although he slet on the floor and that was weird usually in the bed right on me. Anything I can give household till I get to the vet? He'ss stil got an amazingly high food drive, so giving a pill i no problem whatsoever. also, are there any programs out there to help with vet costs? I don't want to not be able to treat him because of money. like I said, I'm dead flat broke and things don't look like turning around for awhile. My work is slow, and until it picks up I'm sorta stuck but I will do anything for my pricky ears Ball.

12-27-2008, 07:49 PM	#11
mk97 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Herndon, PA originally--Jacksonville, FL currently Posts: 169	I know this post is a few days old, but the baby could also have dementia/Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. We had a dog come into our clinic that started to attack her owner(and she was a Chow), we started her on medication and the owner was very pleased that the pet responded and did well up until they put her down for other reasons. The medication was anipryl and here's an article on it. Good luck with your baby. Anipryl® - Help for Senior Pets?

12-27-2008, 08:40 PM	#13
wemple2 Wee Winston Wiggles Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Kewanee, Illinois Posts: 9,666	Any news...update? I hope all is well. __________________ As Ever, Kathy Intruducing Bentley Winston and Spencer: RIP My Sweet Angels