Unhappy pooch please help!

[Tinaclaire]

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Over the last few weeks my 11 year old Labrador has been displaying unusual beviour on walks, personally I thought he was going blind. The last few days he has become disorientated and panicky when walking. Even at home he seems Unconfident and not himself. I've taken him to the vet, who can't find anything wrong with eyes and has prescribed tramadol incase it's pain related (has arthritis )now I can't coax him out of the house at all and only time he will get out of bed is to go in garden with me. I couldnt even coax him upstairs at bedtime. so out of character, i don't know what's wrong and can't find anything on the Internet with his symptoms :- ( no changes at home and nothing I'm aware of that may have spooked him. Can anyone help?

 

[Dee and Isla]

Hi have they rechecked his arthritis again. Isla not yelping in pain but just not her normal self.

I was advised to use apple cider vinegar which I purchased yesterday meant to be good for arthritis and allergies.

If he is stressed their is a plug in I think called felloway not quite sure but bought from vets or pet shops to calm cats/dogs down.

Have you taken him for eye check at a specialist rather than just a normal vet.

No idea where you live but when I wanted to breed from Isla she had to have clear eye certificate and that was done in Birmingham veterniary hospital it even picked up she had a slight scare on her eye from being a puppy.

Good luck I hope your dog will be okay.

 

[hanneroon]

hiya, tramadol is a fairly strong pain killer, it will make him drowsy, and woozy until he's used to it. My granny had it recently in hospital, and she was acting very strangely... Perhaps talk to the vet about trying him on a lower dose or something next time you take him in, good luck with the poor chap, must be such a worry for you, x

 

[lurcherman]

Got to be honest im never going to.try tramadol because ive seen what it does to my friends lol hannaroon could have a point.

 

[Tinaclaire]

Thank you for your thoughts, Key is a bit of foodie so have placed goodies around the downstairs and he has ventured out of the living room however when I got his lead he got straight back in his bed. I'm starting to think maybe is psychological ?? I think maybe the tramadol is making him feel unsteady as well as whatever is wrong with him. Hoping he will pick up over next few days. Will definately try that plug is stress thingy it certainly can't hurt x

 

[hanneroon]

the tramadol made my granny think she was on a boat, amongst other things, and really changed her character, so he could very well be feeling a bit confused, and not up for venturing out.

Hope the vet can suggest something for you, :luck:

 

[Tinaclaire]

Not sure the tramadol is working but I do think its pain related but getting worse I can't even get him out to go for a wee. We have another appointment at the vet tomorrow but not sure how I'm going to get him out the house, he just doesn't want to go out. Hoping for the best preparing for the worst. :- (

 

[Tinaclaire]

Good news, after complete screening with bloods etc all clear, other than a bit if arthritus vet can't find anything physically wrong with him and we think it anxiety or possibly ate something noxious that has effected the brain. So just have to wait and see if pain killers and anxiety tablets make a difference. But such a relief x

 

[lurcherman]

Thats good news keep us updated.

 

[hanneroon]

aaw, thats good news, fingers crossed for you both!

 

[Tinaclaire]

Thanks :- )

 

[Tinaclaire]

Just an update: pooch will still not leave the house, seems to have a real fear gets front paws over the doorway to garden then reverses!! Is going to the toilet in the house which never done before. Tried treats, putting his food outside etc. tried playing and trying to encourage him out. Nothing's working!!! He has become agorophobic . Any ideas welcome x

 

[murphyrules]

Ask your vet about Vivitonin tablets, they are supposed to increase the blood flow to the brain and can help with dementia type symptoms in older dogs, they may not be suitable for your dog depending on what other medications etc your dog is on, but you could ask.

Zylkene is also available it is a milk derivative which is meant to release feel good endorphins and soothe the dog, reducing anxiety levels.

Good luck

xx

 

[Tinaclaire]

Thanks I will do, he is already on zylkene. I think it calms him but not enough to want to go out x

 

[hanneroon]

oh no, you poor things, you must be worried. Maybe there is a behaviourist in your area that you could ask to come over and give you both some help?

all the best, give him a pat from me :luck: