Anxiety or health problems

[jackie schaffer]

Help fellow doodle owners. My Harley has for the past three weeks has been some issues. I took her to the vet on 6/14 and 6/17. The vet listened to heart, lungs and do a complete blood panel. all normal. She detected a slight pain in one of her rear legs and we tried tramadol at night and rimadyl twice a day thinking she might be in pain.  No change in her behavior.

The vet said to wait and see if any other changes. Bathroom habits normal, eating normal.

Initial symptoms were heavy panting and restless at night, early morning. House is cool so she is not hot.

The past week has she is glued to me. Fearful of every noise even when there is no thunder, guns or fireworks. She also is afraid of her yard! She walks on the grass like she does not want to touch it!!!!  We have a huge fenced in yard and she seems to be afraid to venture away from the deck and grass area closer to deck. She has started pooping close to the deck instead of her usual far corners of the yard. 

I have gone to the family room couch to sleep at night so as not to disturb my husband with her.  She seems a bit calmer when she is sleeping in there with me at night. 

Will not leave the drive way for her normal walk.  I put in the car and drive to the trail and she stops many times and I have to coach her to walk.  Instead of a long walk it is short because she is so fearful. 

Nothing has happened with anyone or another dog to create these fears. I have no idea where to go and what to do.  I will make a follow up appointment but don't know how to proceed.

Any input from fellow dog lovers.  I don't want to miss something with her that can be treated.  It feels like looking for a needle in a hay stack.

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[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

How old is Harley?

[jackie schaffer]

Harley will be 5 in August

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Hmmm....I was thinking it may be a bad case of  one of the many "fear stages" they all seem to go through.  But at 4 yrs of age, I THINK, they are well passed that.  You may want to google "fear stages in dogs" and see what pops up.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Have you inspected the paw pads and between the toes really well?  Dogs are pretty good at masking pain, but she really seems not to want to walk very far and it really seems like there must be a reason.  It doesn't seem to be her attachment making her not want to walk as you are on the trail with her and she still doesn't want to walk.  I think that thyroid issues can cause behavior changes?  Did the vet check that?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

This seems like a really significant behavioral change.  I would ask the Vet for a referral to a Veterinary Behaviorist for a consultation.  I'm so sorry that you and Harley are experiencing this.

[jackie schaffer]

Thanks  for all the input.  Last night again with the panting in bed. But, when I went to the family room couch she followed, laid down and no panting! Could it be something in our bedroom? She sleeps in there during the day with no issues at all. Just at night. 

This morning the old Harley -- wanting to play and run after toys in yard. Barking if I am not quick enough to throw the toy.  I don't know what changed.   See how her behavior is for a few days.  I am thinking about a behaviorist consult as well.