Okay, I hope this makes sense. For the last few weeks I have noticed that Toby seems to be seeing things that are not there. He seems to be sort of chasing something. He startles and then seems to be actually going after something that is not there. This has gradually gotten worse and tonight he seems to be at it constantly. He can't seem to settle down at all. He will sit with me and then freak out and act like he sees something. His little head is going back and forth and he is very very jumpy.
Has anyone seen this sort of behavior before? I just gave him a little rescue rememdy to settle him down but he really is stressed.
I can't give any advice but I sure can send soothing rays to Toby. Can dogs suffer mental illness like humans? I have no idea. RAYS all the way for TOBY! Could that have been the reason for his history of biting? Maybe he was seeing something humans couldn't. Poor baby.
As Sandy says, no advice...Could it be a form of siezure? Do you live where he could be hearing neighboring sounds? Mice, cats? Some form of head trauma? Middle ear problems? Poor little boy, poor mama. Hope something is resolved soon. Sending rayz.
That is really odd. My first guess too would be a form of seizure? Or an inner ear problem? I have heard of dogs who snap at the air after invisible flies...I don't know if that was something diagnosed or not. Wonder about his eyes as well...have you mentioned it to your vet at all? Poor little guy I hope it clears up on it's own!
I just googled this and came up with this link
http://www.canine-epilepsy.net/flybite/flybite.html
There is also a video showing a bernese Mt dog doing this behaviour. Does this sound like Toby?
DeeDee, I just read the information that you sent and it does sound just like what Toby is doing. Although last night he really had me worried as it was pretty much constant.
We do know that Toby had suffered some sort of head injury prior to being with us. He has some scars on the side of his head just above the right ear.
Keith pointed out last night that after he has these episodes he exhibits the same sort of dazed and confused behavior that he had after he bit. He cries a little and gets very very clingy with me.
I'm going to give the vet a call this morning and I'll probably need to take him in. Thanks for the advice everyone...I'll let you all know what we find out.
Wow Terri - you may be finally getting to the root of Toby's demons. Bless his little heart - and so hard for you because he can't tell you what is going on. Sending Toby and his family mega doxie rays and lots of prayers. Sure hope the vet has some advice. Bless YOU for taking this little boy in and fighting so hard for him.
Let us know after you talk to the vet !
Oh, poor Toby! I hope that you and your vet can figure out what it is. I'm sure there is medication that will help Toby. Let us know how it goes.
Sending rays to Toby and praying that he will be ok. :comfort:
I just got done discussing this with Toby's vet. He seems to think it is neurological and that what Toby is experiening are most likely seizures of some sort. It may be the cause of many of the past issues as well as why he is exhibiting this strange behavior of late. Poor little guy. I hate the thought of putting him through yet more tests but hopefully, other than the fasting blood work, it will be relatively painless for him. So....we are off to see the nuerologist on Tuesday. I keep replaying some of his behaviors and how they seem to be more episodal than random, if that makes any sense. The common denominator is his confusion and fear when the episodes, be they biting or fly-catching or whatever, are over. I'm praying that we finally find some answers and help him with this!
Ah well.....there goes the vacation I was saving for! LOL!
Sounds very encouraging - an answer may be in sight. Bless you for going the extra mile to find out. Let us know !
Sending positive rays! Hope everything goes well with the neurologist. :xfinger: