Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

Aine Seavers — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 22:54:36 GMT

Seizure disorders will often have these prodromal periods of hours to days resulting in an anxious, clingy and photophobic pet. The latter light sensitivity can alert you its more than separation anxiety.

pre-ictal episodes of clinging and anxiety esp directed towards the primary caretaker as an attempt to seek security.

entire status means entire dogs more likely to have Cluster seizures and of those then females more often cluster- catamenial epilepsy makes entire females more severely afflicted as oestrogens increase neuronal activity.

If a younger dog would say just epilepsy-in a lab of 9 then intracranial mass a suspect as also would be IVDD cervical in location and as always the urinary/kidney issues.

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

Kate Richardson — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 16:50:09 GMT

[quote user="Rob Davis"]

Does it always happen in the same location? I had one years ago which was eventually traced to a high-pitched noise emitted by a fautly boiler which the owners couldn't hear but drove the dog crazy!

[/quote]

No, happened initially at work in the office with her, but also at home.

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

Joyce Whitehead — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 16:27:12 GMT

I had an elderly rescue cross lab years ago who used to do this, and it took me about two years to work out that it was always in windy weather. Sometimes I couldn't hear the wind, but if there was the slightest whistling around the house she would get in a complete panic (and at the time i lived in a hilly bit of West Yorkshire). She also had other sound anxieties, especially gunshots.

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

Rob Davis — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 16:24:31 GMT

Does it always happen in the same location? I had one years ago which was eventually traced to a high-pitched noise emitted by a fautly boiler which the owners couldn't hear but drove the dog crazy!

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

Kate Richardson — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 15:59:31 GMT

Thanks everyone, will keep you posted

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

Luca Poddighe — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 11:52:55 GMT

I'd collect a general database to rule out easy fixable problems, so biochemistry haematology and urine tests. If nothing concerning on those, trial on pain relief and stress modulator as very safe and if owner happy to pursue further tests consider CSF tap and MRI. If no money, trial on anticonvulsivant it could be an option if pointing to improve QOL.

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

Stephen Courtney — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 11:27:46 GMT

I had a dog very similar to that, there was no budget to do things properly, but the videos the owner provided looked post ictal - after discussion I trialled the dog on phenobarbitone and the episodes stopped completely.

Of course that proved nothing, so when on weaning the dose down the signs recurred I felt that was good enough.

He's been on epiphen ever since and done very well. There's no point worrying about brain tumours unless the owner has the appetite for MRI and possible surgery in which case I'd refer asap. If not, treat for the treatable, just make sure you document your discussions with the owner

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 10:20:48 GMT

I'd eliminate medical reasons first but I would be concerned about a cerebral brain tumour with such a profound behavioural change.

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

Timothy Miles — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 10:20:24 GMT

Always worth checking anal sacs with these - UTI can sometimes be secondary - ascending from vulval licking.

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

Andrew Henfrey — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 10:15:21 GMT

Our 5yo F/N Labrador presented very like this. Shaking, trembling, panting, hiding behind me. Otherwise well. Initially thought she might have been stung by something, but she did it three times with several weeks in between episodes. Got some urine from her and she had cystitis. Treated, resolved and no recurrence of the apparent fear/anxiety response since the cystitis resolved.

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

shanley barber — Sun, 13 Nov 2016 17:08:12 GMT

Check urine for occult uti - I seem to pick up a few in older dogs that present for 'clingy behaviour.'

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

Kate Richardson — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 19:27:18 GMT

[quote user="Judith Archbold"]

I'd be thinking possibly neurological too / petit male seizures then post-icral clinginess.

At the other extreme mind you , have you ruled-out fleas on the dog, causing sudden jumping and irritation which the owner could be over-interpreting as a panic attack?

[/quote]

no, I've seen a video. Not like any flea irritation I've ever seen

definitely fits acute pain but absolutely no other signs.

Hence suspicion of neurological cause

Dog is so normal on examination, and doesn't seem to be the anxious type, no history of noise phobias etc. Something happens to trigger these episodes. If bloods/urine/BP normal, I'll offer MRI/CSF sampling or trial on anti-epileptic drugs I think

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

Nikki Geddes — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 17:39:04 GMT

I'd be very keen to hear people's thoughts on this. My 11 year old entire male spaniel does something similar. Intermittent severe anxiety, panting and very clingy and scratching relentlessly at doors. I get the impression with him that it is triggered by something acutely painful, that is short-lived, but the anxiety attack lasts for hours. Have not located an area of pain, ? headache? I'm also concerned that the aetiology is neurological, but don't really want to face up to that one.

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

Judith Archbold — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 15:52:16 GMT

I'd be thinking possibly neurological too / petit male seizures then post-icral clinginess.

At the other extreme mind you , have you ruled-out fleas on the dog, causing sudden jumping and irritation which the owner could be over-interpreting as a panic attack?

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

Utlendigur — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 14:23:16 GMT

Pheochromocytoma?

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

Kate Richardson — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 13:28:00 GMT

Not sound related, no other triggers identified thus far. Seems to occur spontaneously

RE: Extreme anxiety episodes in a Labrador

Robin Grimmer — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 13:22:38 GMT

Are you sure it's not behavioural? I tend to think of everything being fireworks related at this time of year until proven otherwise!