drastic mood change

[fran gunner]

our goldendoodle is 2 1/2 years old...we just left him for 10 days while we were traveling...he stayed with our housekeeper who loves and adores him...when we returned, we noticed a drastic change in his temperment...what was a precocious, hilarious, excitable, challenging personality morphed into a calm, quiet, disinterested dog...examples: not excited when initially seen by my husband and I (at seperate times of the day), lethargy, resists going out to walk by pulling me back toward the house, when stopped by passers-by behaves as if shy, cowers when others want to pet him...basically isolates and appears to be pouting...i have contacted our vet who confirmed there are no known side effects from recent meds (flea protection and anti-itching injection)...he is eating, drinking, and eliminating normally

has anyone had this experience????

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

He is mad and showing you just how mad he is.  My daughter in law's whippet was left with us when she went to Germany for two weeks.  When she returned, he was soooooo mad at her that he would not look at her, sit in her lap - nothing.  He is her velcro dog and this is how he expressed his sadness at being left behind.  He did get over it.

 We recently went on an 8 day trip, leaving all our dogs at home with our son.  Ned has be way, way more affectionate since we came back.  We don't know what his epiphany was, but we are enjoying it.

[Christine & Camus]

Attitude! When I went on a one-week vacation and left Einstein (Lab mix) behind I got the royal cold shoulder when I went to pick him up.  He refused to look at me! I didn't think a dog could react in that way. Oh well.  Now I have Camus and went on a two-week vacation. I left him with friends for the first week and then a co-worker took care of him at my apartment for the 2nd week, she even took him to work every day.  He was a special case since he was afraid of people when I adopted him, but I did not expect him to run from me when I came home.

However, you mentioned an anti-itching injection.  Do you know what it was?  If it was prednisone or a similar med it can cause a variety of reactions, including behaviorally.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Yes. My doodle did a similar thing when I left him with my best friend for a weekend.  He adores her and her dog.  She said he was fine while there but seemed a little aloof, which isn't like him at all.  When I returned and brought him home he moped around.  Was lethargic and sad.  He wouldn't eat for a day and didn't want to leave the house.  I also was concerned he was sick.  But he got over it.

 

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

What was the medication in the "anti-itching" injection?  If it was a steriod it can have mood changing effects.  Karen may have more insght, I will ask her to look at this discussion.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There's no question in my mind that the "anti-itching" injection was corticosteroids, there's nothing else it could be, and lethargy is a known side-effect of steroids. Behavioral changes can also occur, but usually only from long-term treatment. Perhaps the dose was too high. It's preferable to use oral steroids rather than the high-dose "shot gun effect" of the injections. I do agree with the others that your vacation may have contributed to some of the behavioral changes, but lack of energy and lethargy are very well-known side-effects of steroids, and I'm extremely surprised that the vet didn't tell you that.

[F, Calla & Luca]

The injection could have been an antihistamine.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Not likely, in my experience, which is considerable in this particular area. It may have been a combo drug, but I'd bet a sizable amount that there were steroids in it. :)

[Adrianne Matzkin]

When did you get home? I haven't left my girls but back in the day whenever we left our Beardie, Maggie, she wouldn't talk to us for days. We never did experience the behaviors you are seeing. She would pout bu

How long since the injection? I don't know how long those side effects would show but I am sure Karen knows that info.

Is it possible that there was someone in your housekeepers home that wasn't so nice to him? Cowering should not be a side effect of any meds that I am aware of. Sounds like he is afraid of something. Ask your housekeeper if there was some type of problem when they were out for a walk. 

I hope that things are back to normal real soon!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree, the cowering does not sound like a side-effect from the drugs.

My first thought was also that someone was not so nice to him while you were gone.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

That was my first thought too, that with the cowering... someone was not nice to him.  I hope to God I am wrong and he gets out of his funk.  When I travel and come home I get attacked by my doodles.  My BF stays at my house and watches my doodles.  When I walk in the door all hell breaks loose and I get millions of doodle kisses, jumped all over.. they can't get enough of me - it makes me feel very loved by my doodles :)

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I didn't know about the steroid effects as I've never had a dog on steroids. Thanks Karen for that info.  I attribute Finn's behavior to the stress he feels at being left behind.  I think it mentally exhausts him.  Loose stools are a common effect too.  But I agree with the others, the cowering, etc. is not normal.  I really hope your doodle was not mistreated, but even another person in the household who is argumentative, angry, or threatening could have an impact on the dog.  I noticed recently that a family member who was very upset about something (not involving me or the dog) stopped by and was yelling about a situation...just to vent.  Our home is usually a quiet and peaceful or a happy and crazy place. Finnegan (usually happy and outgoing) withdrew.  He did not react well to this unfamiliar emotional environment or to the person.  So looks like you may have a combination of things going on here. Hope things get back to normal soon!       

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

We were going to leave Daisy while we were away in August but has since decided, that if all possible, she would be going with us (it's possible and she is coming). Knowing her like we do I just could not bare leaving her behind. She is such a velcro dog here at work and at home, even with her best friends Sandy and Tom, she wants Mom and Dad.

So many people love her but her heart belongs to Daddy and Mommy for sure. Probably a little over the top but we just cannot leave her. Good Thing we are Homebodies and not Jet Setters. :o)