odd labrador, odd behaviour

[sally87]

hello

i have two 12 year old labs, poppy and bess. poppy is a normal chunky, greedy lab with not much brain, brilliant. bess on the otherhand is too fine to be a lab but adorable anyway. think she might have some greyhound or whippet in her somewhere.

bess has always been a nervous ninny but recently it has been getting out of hand. she has been scared of going to bed in the dining room last thing at night, which i have been working with by giving them a biscuit at bedtime and fussing her once in bed. however the last 2 days she has been a nervous wreck first thing in the morning instead! she stands there shaking and wont eat her breakfast. her tummy seems soft and she isnt in any pain. she still looks healthy in every other way and does relax a bit when i make a fuss of her. she wont eat the biscuits out the bowl but has had a few when i hand feed her. she will eat treats (and human food) and ate her tea last night so i dont think it can be hurting her to eat, she's just scared of her breakfast! recently i have noticed her hearing is going. i wondered if its the food not making the normal sound to her that has scared her? but why would it start suddenly? she is still active and ran miles yesterday even after only half her breakfast.

any suggestions for what might be going on. she is currently next to me trying to stop me typing for a fuss so quite normal for her. meanwhile poppy is outside the door trying to get in for that left over breakfast- a proper lab! am going to try walking her and see if shes better after that, she loves her walks!

thanks

Sally

 

[CorvusCorax]

Query dementia, at her age, or a noise or change in circumstances that may have scared her.

Also, harsh as it may sound, stop 'fussing' her, it will reinforce her fears 'oh mum is making a fuss of me, I am right to be scared if she is doing that'.

The vet should be your first port of call.

 

[sally87]

I agree with the stop fussing approach, but it's difficult when I want her to feel better, too soft by half! She was better after the walk and ate the meal when I put warm water in it. Will have to see how she is this evening. Vets next week for injections so will mention it then. At least she is eating something

 

[CAYLA]

Query dementia, at her age, or a noise or change in circumstances that may have scared her.

Also, harsh as it may sound, stop 'fussing' her, it will reinforce her fears 'oh mum is making a fuss of me, I am right to be scared if she is doing that'.

The vet should be your first port of call.

^^^ Agree with CC, just as us humans suffer age related illness in many ways dogs do to. I too would get her an MOT at the vets there are a few meds that could help if indeed it's dementia related.

 

[sally87]

Thanks. I don't want her to suffer but she is otherwise fit and happy, still good with long walks and lots of running so I don't think it's her time yet. Will def talk to vet next week. Am a human doctor so I do know a bit about dementia, but not doggy style!

 

[ChesnutsRoasting]

^^^ Agree with CC, just as us humans suffer age related illness in many ways dogs do to. I too would get her an MOT at the vets there are a few meds that could help if indeed it's dementia related.

Agree plus agree.

My 11 year old lurcher has stressed tonight during a thunderstorm, never been bothered by them before. So sad, bit by bit the body and mind starts to fail.