Rapid onset anxiety, excessive panting, decreased appetite, lethargy, *UPDATE*

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

UPDATE - We just back from the cardiologist. The dr found a mildly leaky valve, but not enough to cause the kind of symptoms Connor is having. He wants us to see an internist because he thinks, based on symptoms, Connor may have an adrenal tumor. I have a call in to our regular vet and am planning on calling the internist at the Specialty Center in the morning to set up an appointment and sonogram.  BTW, Connor has lost 3 lbs since last Monday.

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Thank you all for your input, support and kindness. I know each and everyone on DK knows how special our dogs are...they work their way into your heart so quickly. It's so easy to love these babies. And no matter how hard you try not to worry, the thought of not having them in your life is something you just can't bear to think about.

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My heart doodle Connor (F1 goldendoodle) is the sweetest, dearest dog that ever existed. He has a great temperament and for most of his life has been my constant companion. At 13 weeks he was a puppy mill rescue and has had a couple of issues from that, but nothing major or that has had any significant effect on his life. Earlier this year, he started seeming anxious. Not his regular self. Nothing awful, but I noticed more anxiety. I had a full blood panel done and thyroid testing done. My regular vet said everything is fine and blew me off. I went to a vet who has an excellent rep as a diagnostician. He did more blood work and said everything was fine. Maybe I needed a pack re-order. I gave Connor 3 mgs of melatonin when anxieties were running high and got him a Thundershirt. A couple of months ago I took him to work with me - he has always loved this and knows the people there since puppyhood. He did fine. Two week later, he came back to work with me. Same people, same place, easy day. He was so stressed, he paced, panted and whined for almost 2 hours. He was so upset, he had diarrhea, wouldn't play with toys or accept treats. He panted until his tongue started looking purplish. Thinking maybe he was having a bad day, I took him back two weeks later. It only took him an hour and a half to calm down enough to quit whining and pacing. About 10 days ago, I came home and Connor was close to hysterical -- breathing so hard, I was afraid he was going to stroke out. He's all but quit playing except for small spurts of play with our other two dogs -- then lays down and pants and pants. This is not separation anxiety. He's upset when I'm not here, he's upset when we go someplace together. Last week he started to eat less than usual...just picking at his food. Again, panting, panting, panting inside with the a/c on, and he seems really bummed. I took him to the vet yesterday. They did a chest x-ray and a full blood panel. His chest x-ray doesn't show an enlarged heart - it was "normal." Blood work had "no significant change" from last spring.  At my vet's suggestion, we are taking him to a specialty hospital to see a cardiologist on Monday. He will have an echocardiogram while we are there. If that shows nothing, we may be referred to an internist.

Has anyone had anything like this happen with their doodle?

Thanks for reading this long post. I am worried to death about my Connor Bear.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm glad you are seeing a specialist, I hope you get some answers and whatever it is is something easily treated. The specialists are so much better at diganosing things that baffle the GP vets, My Jack is in the care of two specialists for two different immune-mediated diseases, and what a difference once they came into the picture!  

I completely understand how worried you must be, but try to relax. You're doing everything you can for Connor, and if you are stressed, he'll pick up on that. Hang in there.  

[F, Calla & Luca]

In the end though, if you can't find a physical cause then it may be an anxiety disorder. We have lots of advice on that here. There is a group for it. I think if that is what is going on here medication should be considered.

[Teresa]

Any chance he is having seizures? He may not be having big ones, so you aren't really noticing. But the behaviors you are seeing are very similar to the after effects of seizures although it seems to go on longer than my Hudson's seizure effects would. Keep pushing, you know your dog and are doing the right things. I also hope you find the issue quickly and you are able to easily stabilize him.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I have no answers, but wanted to say I hope you get some answers from the cardiologist on Monday! Good luck and please keep us posted.

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

Thank you all for your good wishes & quick replies. One more reason I've loved DK for so long :) will let you know what we find out

[Barb @ Gemstone Labradoodles]

If he were mine, I would test for Lymes Disease and also go to a homeopathic vet. I have a dog that started having anxiety attacks after her puppies were old enough to leave. She got acupunture and a Bach Flower recipe made for her and she is a new dog. I agree you need to continue to rule out serious things, but a Lymes Disease test is simple and also needs to be ruled out. Many vets miss this one because the symptoms can be so varied and look like other issues. The symptoms can come on slowly.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Sorry, I have no ideas of what might be going on. Just want to express my concern about your Conner Bear. I'm glad he will be seeing specialists and hope they can get to the bottom of this problem quickly.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sherri's Winston, of Sherri, Sophie, etc. had similar episodes I just recalled and her did have seizures I think.

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/winston-s-panick-episodes-...

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Oh goodness, that is one discussion I can't bear to re-read. What an awful experience that was and I am so thankful it hasn't repeated itself.

I thought of this at first too but I think the symptoms are quite different. Winston's episodes were sudden and fast, he would go berserk and then just as suddenly he's back to normal and looking and acting like nothing happened. The neurologist called it Complex Partial Seizures. Connor's problem sounds more gradual and longer lasting episodes and it has a general affect on his overall mood. I'm thinking maybe he has an arythmia or something like that. Deb, do Connor's pupils get dialated?

I'd say from my experience with being blown off by the vets ("he's just having anxiety, he's afraid of fireworks, blah blah") to trust your instincts and don't give up. I'm confident the specialists will figure it out. I really hope he feels better soon!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Sherri, is Winston on medication, anticonvulsants? I'm so glad he hasn't had recurrences.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

nope, nothing. he had 9 episodes over the course of a couple days and then presto, all gone.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good but bizarre.