Extreme Fear

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Looking for some advice or insights...

Finn has always been a velcro dog -- my shadow --and as sweet as his devotion is, I know it's not just love --there's some component of anxiety to it and that makes me sad for him, sometimes. I guess the correct term is hyper attachment or attachment dysfunction.  BUT Finn has been well socialized and easy to train. Always happy to meet and greet new people in all sorts of settings - as long as I'm within sight. When he sees some of his favorite people, we still have to remind him to keep 4 paws on the floor. He's never had typical separation anxiety --never been destructive when left alone. He loves going places, seems to enjoy his therapy work - especially with the kids (although the children he had become so attached to over the past 2 years moved on to middle school and he's got a new group this year). On the flip side, he's territorial and protective when he's home but once he knows you're welcome, he's back to wagging his tail. So I have no explanation for his strange behavior last week when I took him to visit family and friends in VA.

He knows everyone, knows the house etc.  He's been going there several times a year since puppyhood and always enjoys it. He doesn't feel he has to "watch over" their home (which I think must be a huge relief to him) and greets everyone who comes in or out.  But this time he was:

Irrationally fearful as soon as we walked in the house.

Looked from side to side, behind him, up at the ceiling as if something was coming after him.  This state of high anxiety/fear continued over 4 days.  It was awful to see him so frightened and not be able to help him. He fell twice on the stairs trying to get away from...what???

Would not come to anyone including me. In fact, when I knelt down on the floor and tried to talk to him, he barked and barked at me, but would not approach me.  We gave him his "space" and everyone put treats in their pockets that they would toss to him as he passed. I picked up a lot of treats.

Ran up to our room if anyone approached him. He seemed to feel safe on the bed.  He spent a lot of time there over 4 days. I was able to to calm him in the bedroom.

He barely ate (despite us cooking up ground beef and chicken) for him.  Nope, wouldn't touch it. Drank lots of water.

When he was with all of us, he avoided being touched by anyone, except once when he sought out my niece's husband.

I was about to take him to the emergency vet BUT he seemed to relax when we went for walks.  Once back in the house though, his fear increased again and he acted like ghosts were chasing him. We were all concerned. One guest asked if he was blind!  Someone else thought he was an abused rescue - not trying to be dramatic but that's how bizarre his behavior was.  

Got him home, called his vet, but once home he was back to normal (thankfully). His therapy session with the kids this week (which I thought about canceling) went ok. We just returned from some errands this morning and he greeted everyone happily -customers and rescue pups -- as we shopped for Christmas treats. Several people remarked how sweet, friendly and well behaved he was. I'm thinking you should have seen him a week ago !!!!!!  SO glad my boy is back because I don't know who that dog was in VA. The doc wants to run a panel of thyroid tests.  

Medical or behavioral?  Completely baffled.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Maryann, thanks so much for your input.  Did Roo ever have a similar episode after you started treating him for Addison's? You've raised an old fear so I'm going to follow-up with both a complete thyroid panel and the ACTH Stimulation Test if for nothing else but to rule them out (fingers crossed).  Finn had both thyroid and 2 (preliminary) tests for Addison's when he was about 2.  His symptoms after strenuous exercise (trembling, soreness) or after leaving him for a few days with a petsitter (depression, dehydration, not eating, and diarrhea) were consistent with Addison's --but could have been a lot of other things too.  Each time he had a "miraculous recovery" when he was rehydrated at the vet's. His electrolytes were normal (first test) and the second test --a "resting cortisol"-- showed normal cortisol levels so the vet did not think the complete ACTH test necessary. Maybe it was.  At the same time, Finn had his hips x-rayed and so the final diagnosis was mild HD - although his flexion is extremely good and his vet still says he would have thought it was Addison's before the tests.  He hasn't shown any more of these symptoms - at least not in the extreme -- for over a year.  But following through on testing would set my mind to rest or get him treated. I'm also following through on environmental factors others have suggested -- and some retraining/behavioral training.  BTW How is Roo?  I've been wondering and keeping both of you in our prayers.  

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

No, Roo never had a similar episode after he began on the Addison's medication. 

Roo is doing very well on the 4 heart medications.  I am transferring his care to his vet for the time he stays stable.  I was told it was degenerative, but I'm still hoping for three years. Thanks for asking.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

OK I've confirmed, no new electronics, wireless, LED lights, varmint repellents,  etc.  We thought we had the answer - She thought Steve had put an LED light in the floor lamp where Finn first started shaking his head from side to side but her husband confirmed he never changed it -- it was still in the package.   No diffusers. Nothing they could think of. Back to square 1.

[Carol and Banjo]

Oh Cheryl, what a mystery!   I just read through all of this earlier and hoped you'd find an easy answer.   I wish I had some input to offer.    Please keep us posted if anything comes to light.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

I will.  Thanks Carol.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Bluetooth devices? I would assume if heart rate monitors and the watches that pari with them can scare dogs then maybe certain Bluetooth signals could? Just a thought

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Good thought but none. 

[Stella]

Ugh, it's so hard to see them when they are stressed. My younger LD (Chase) is on medication for anxiety and we still have episodes of irrational fear, although he is much better than he was pre-medication. Obviously, something in that house spooked Finn, from the first step he took into it and once he decided it was scary there was no changing his mind. Chase has episodes where he is exactly as you describe - hyper vigilant, startling at every noise and panicking, desperate to get home or into the car or just 'away' - often I can't work out what set him off. Last year I went away for one night with my other dog and Chase stayed home (at my home) with the dog sitter, who he knows well and has taken care of the two of them multiple times. This was the first time she sat for him by himself and he was a basket case the whole time - so anxious, panting, pacing , not eating, startling at everything etc. And this was in his own home!! I never realised how much he relied on my other dog for confidence in situations (and they don't even really like each other that much!!). It took over a week after I got home for him to get back to normal, it made me really sad to see how long it took for him to come down from that 'anxiety high'. I think it is worth you getting his thyroid etc tested, if only for peace of mind for you. But it really seems as though his reaction was very specific to something in that house.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Thanks Stella.  I'm sorry you've had this experience with Chase too but I'm glad that the medication is helping.

[BG and Gavin]

Sorry for this stressful experience. I hope you can get to the bottom of the matter.  You have had some great suggestions so far. My friend who has a recent rescue is working on separation anxiety with him and has had great success with a product called Rescue Remedy.  I do not know too much about it, but she says it is all natural.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Thanks BG.  I've seen the Rescue.  I will give it a try.. Finn used to love going to see his vet but lately he's gotten ridiculously nervous in the waiting room. Once he's in the examining room, he's fine.  So the doc gave us something called Adaptil to try. It's pheromone based and seems to relax him some. I spray it on his collar or a bandanna.  Unfortunately, I didn't take it on our trip.

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Wow. Orwell is so very much like Finn in behavior. I have no idea what it could be, but I agree with everyone that something must have changed in the environment. 

The only time Orwell startled me with his fear was when we were going for a walk and there was a new sign put up on the sidewalk. He had no idea what it was and as we walked by he jumped and ran to my other side (I walk him on my left side). As far as I can tell, he hasn't had any fear with different sounds. Is it possible that there was a new object in the house that he hadn't seen before and was skeptical of?