I'm a little concerned about Minky

[minkydog]

Minky is my almost 10yo standard poodle. He's a pretty healthy hound, just has epilepsy and COPD. He's usually pretty active, chases squirrels and balls, but he also likes to lounge around.

This week he seems...different. This week he seems kind of anxious. He's following me around, right into the bathroom. If I sit down he comes up and nudges my leg with his head, or even lean on me until he has all the weight of his upper body on my lap. I have never allowed him to sit on the furniture, but all of a sudden he wants to be in my lap all the time. Today I came home and he greeted me at the door normally. Then I walked into the kitchen. Immediately I heard him whimper, then whine. It sounded like he was crying! I walked back into the LR and petted him and tried to console him and he perked right up. Then I went upstairs to my room. Minky came BOUNDING up behind me and threw himslef right in front of me so I wouldn't go into the bathroom. I actually had to stop and really pet him up and show him the bathroom before he would get out of the way(he's a very large poodle.) He waited for me to come out, very still and on alert(those of you who have poodles will recognise this look.)

There have been other things too. Minky has had increasing separation anxiety over the last 3 years and we rarely board him anymore, unless it is with his beloved groomer and her old dogs(they all get along great.) I just started a new job so I've been out of the house more than usual the last week, but it's not like he's alone--DH is there nearly all the time. WHen DH has to go lay down for a rest, Minky will whine and cry at the door, scratching to get in the bedroom. If DH lets him in MInky will curl up by the bed and go to sleep. Until someone drives up in the yard or comes to the door. THen all hell breaks loose in the bedroom with Minky barking and growling and charging the door. He's always been assertive, but now it's bordering on maniacal. Minky has never bitten anyone, but his barking really sounds distressed, like the doggie version of "Oh God! Help me!"

I don't know what to think. We're taking Minky over to the groomer tomorrow to see what she thinks. She knows him very well, better than the vet. She will know immediately if Minky seems different to her or if I"m just a blithering idiot. I certainly plan to take him in for a vet eval if this situation doesn't rectify itself soon.

 

[rszdtrvl]

Check his teeth. My dogs went wacky when they had teeth issues. Our male Beagle has had 2 dental visits, both with extractions. He was acting super wierd when we took him to the vet. Turned out that he had some bad teeth (again).

My poor dogs are destined to be toothless. Bad genes, I think.

Good luck with you and Minky!

 

[DawnCt1]

I am wondering if Minky doesn't feel well. Now Jude's situation is completely different, so I don't want you to worry and think I am drawing a parallel, but when Jude first got sick, he didn't want me to leave. He would lie by the door until I got home. As he has gotten progressively sicker, he has more anxiety when I leave. I can leave to go grocery shopping if someone is here, sitting with him but if they go to another room, he realizes that I am gone and paces. At this point I only leave if he has someone else's undivided attention. Poodles are so smart and I think he knows how sick he is. (as I sit here crying)

 

[minkydog]

I am wondering if Minky doesn't feel well. Now Jude's situation is completely different, so I don't want you to worry and think I am drawing a parallel, but when Jude first got sick, he didn't want me to leave. He would lie by the door until I got home. As he has gotten progressively sicker, he has more anxiety when I leave. I can leave to go grocery shopping if someone is here, sitting with him but if they go to another room, he realizes that I am gone and paces. At this point I only leave if he has someone else's undivided attention. Poodles are so smart and I think he knows how sick he is. (as I sit here crying)

Oh, I know just what you mean. And I have definitely thought maybe there's something serious, like a brain tumor. He had a seizure a couple nights ago(he has a seizure disorder but he has been well controlled for months.) I'm so sorry to hear that Jude isn't doing well this week. We'll keep ya'll in our prayers.

 

[minkydog]

Check his teeth. My dogs went wacky when they had teeth issues. Our male Beagle has had 2 dental visits, both with extractions. He was acting super wierd when we took him to the vet. Turned out that he had some bad teeth (again).

My poor dogs are destined to be toothless. Bad genes, I think.

Good luck with you and Minky!

I hadn't thought about his teeth. He was supposed to have his teeth deep cleaned when they had him under general anesthesia a few months ago(he had some lesions removed near his eye, all benign.) Minky did fine with the lesion removal but when they tried to clean the teeth his heart rate became very fast and erratic. They tried twice and then the vet called it off. THey never did figure out what the problem was and his heart has been fine ever since. He's eating and drinking well, so his teeth couldn't be hurting too much.

I asked Eric(my foster son) if he had noticed a difference. He jumped right on it, told me he was really worried about Minky because "he's not acting right." He brought up the possibility of accidental poisoning. I don't think there is anything in the yard that he could have gotten into, but I need to walk the property line and see what I can see. I don't think it' s the crazy neighbor--we haven't had a problem with him in over a year, so I can't imagine why he would start up bothering MInky.

Minky has been at the groomer this afternoon. He has boarded with her several times. Her DH is a trainer and behavioral specialist, so he's going to check him out too. We'll see what they say when I pick in up later.