Thor is a 9 year 10 month old White Shepherd. He has been with my family since he was 8 weeks old. Up until May 2009, he was a healthy, well adjusted dog with a stable temperment. He presented with itching which snowballed into a wide range of problems including cancer (hermangiosarcoma),possible immune mediated lesions, mites, pyoderma and muscle weakness. He has been treated for all of these conditions and finally given an all's clear last week after a complete follow up exam, cultures and blood panel.

Prior to the follow up I noticed some muscle wasting around his head and neck and also an air of constant anxiety. Drinking more than usual and then of course urinating frequently, panting, pacing, crying to go out and then immediately crying to come in, sometimes forgets to bring the ball back when playing fetch. All medical tests came back negative so I think and the vet agrees it is a combination of having lost so much weight (muscle atrophy) and being isolated from people other than family and other dogs since his immune system was shot and it was unclear what was wrong with him; he could potentially be contagious to other dogs. Also my two oldest children went off to college and my husband left to work in Chicago so his family of 5 is down to 2, my youngest daughter and me. Lots of change and aging could very well be causing the behaviour issues.

Made sense until I came home today to find Thor had destroyed my bay window, he must have tried to get out. The couch was three feet off the window. Two glass lamps had been shattered he ripped all the screens from the windows, tattered the curtains, ripped the rods from the wall, knocked over end tables and managed to chew or dig through one of the window frames. Luckily the window is set with two locks and the upper one held but he still had the window open about an inch wide. I have no idea how he escaped hurting himself other than some small cuts on his paws.

I am beside myself. Has anyone ever experienced such a radical behavior change? I can not leave him alone tomorrow because I don't trust what will happen. My vet said to bring him into his office he'd like to observe him and check that his injuries are superficial he also said until I can make other arrangements, he'd be fine with me having him board there during the day. Thank God! That was a huge relief!

I talked a little with the vet about options. He recommended starting Thor on a supplement to treat senility and setting him up to be evaluated by a neurologist. And he'll talk to me more after he sees Thor when I come to pick him up.

This probably sounds terrible but I don't think I want to go the way of the neurologist. After six months of medical treatment he's physically sound again but the quality of his life over those six months was anything but good.

Suggestions for what questions I should ask and also possible ideas of what is going on. If anyone has had a similar experience what did you do and what was the outcome.

Hi Sheila,

Its hard when they get old. We noticed behavior changes in old dogs can be severe or slow onset. Depends on the dog, depends on the health and conditions.

My number one thought is have his eyes checked. Sometimes when eyes go dogs react badly with sudden defensive moodiness, nervousness, and full panic.

My number two thought is has he been checked for Degenerative Myelopathy? Your symptoms smack of the later stages of the disease as it occurred in my dear old dog Sam. Muscle wasting, blindness, lesions, and a poor immune system. Just add in slight limp in the hind legs and you've got them all. GSDs are very prone to this condition which can present up to age 14.

I hope you discover whats going on with Thor. It is truly better to know then left wondering what happened.

Melissa

I assume that thyroid tests were done. However, even a low reading in normal in some dogs can present with this behavior.

We put Hambone on high DHA for his cognitive problems, but then his skin was worse, so back to higher EPA for his skin.
If you use the Grizzly oil from Leerburg, then you already have high DHA, so the next step would be cognitive treating.

I hope the vet can come up with a solution. I wonder if a detailed search of the meds he was on could reveal a potential for this type of change?

Please post back with answers from the vet.

Is there any possibility that (other issues aside) he was reacting to a situation going on outside your home?

I have no advice, but I am so very sorry you are dealing with this, poor guy.

Thank you everyone for the kind words. He has been through every type of test imagineable with no indication of a physical ailment. A neurological work up with a specialist is an option or taking a month to treat signs of senility and relieve the anxiousness is another way to go. I chose option #2.

I agree all the meds he was on could have something to do with it and I'd prefer to keep him drug free if possible. So after talking to the vet my current plan is to go a more natural route though with some supplementation help.

Thor is sporting a new collar which should make him a hit with the ladies . A Dog Appeasing Pheromone collar

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/behaviortraining/gr/DAP-Dog-Collar.htm

I put it on him tonight and he is resting peacefully with no pacing or panting. Is it the collar or is it coincidence? I don't know but a month's trial should give me an answer.

He is also taking a supplement for the aging brain, Senilife. Which will take up to a month to show improvement.
http://www.vetrxdirect.com/product/view/senilife?gclid=CNTuh5Hjk54CFYZM5QodgGZPqA#fragment-2

We need to work on pack structure. I can make accommodations for his age but not lower my expectations. In other words KIND bootcamp This will include reintroducing him to his crate. I am off on vacation next week so will have time to work on it.

If after a month there is no improvement or he's worse I'll seek out a neurologist.

I feel better having a plan. Has anyone used either of these products?

I haven't used either of those products. I hope they work!

Though I doubt your dog has the same thing, a service dog client of mine has a 10 yr old GSD that has suddenly begun to show dramatic behavior changes. In this case the dog is dying of stomach cancer. Last year I noticed he was losing flesh on his face and body. She took him to a vet who told her he was just fine. She went back a few months later and thevet still saw nothing wrong, but my friend wouldn't accept that. All tests the vet did were normal. She even talked her out of having a pup started being raised to become her next service dog/guide dog; as the dog was healthy and could live for years. (SDs and GDs usually retire well before they are debilitated, and I've never had one work past 10 yrs full time.) Three months ago she went back to the vet because he was throwing up everything. The vet said he had a simple virus and not too worry. I finally convinced her to go to another vet and she found out he has advanced stomach cancer and less than 6 months to live. Just a couple of weeks ago he began having intermittant bouts of serious people aggression. And become toy possessive with his best bud, her pet toy dog. The cancer may have spread to his brain.

 Quote: Joy van Veen

The cancer may have spread to his brain.

This is a possibility we discussed especially in light of how aggressive hemangiosarcoma can be. The collar and supplement could help with some of the symptoms which would be my aim if that is what turned out to be the problem. I would not pursue an aggressive treatment plan. Quality of life would take precedent to longevity. This is based on his age and expected outcomes of treatment; if he were younger and stronger I'd probably reconsider.

Sheila,

Quality of life is also what are going for with Nico, at her age. I just want her to be comfortable and happy for what time she has left with us.

So once again, no real advice other than a virtual hug and to say that you are not alone in making these decisions with your boy.

We have also seen some irrational seeming behavioral changes such as shaking, drooling, panting and anxiety not related to anything that has ever triggered her in the past. She is also much quicker to grumble or air snap at one of the other dogs or even a cat if they are bothering her at all. It is not with intent to harm, but I can tell her patience is not what it has been for the rest of her life.


I have been warming lavender and tangerine essential oils in a diffuser when she seems anxious as well as keeping rescue remedy on hand.

She will also sometimes go the wrong direction when we call her, or go pick up her ball and then drop it and wander off. It is hard to watch.



I have looked into those DAP collars for my work with the two boys who want rip each others heads off, thinking maybe it would take some of the edge off when we work with socializing them to each other. I will be interested to see how it works out for Thor.

Phosphatidylserine is a good supplement for aging brains in dogs. I haven't used it on dogs, but did do research as a possible supplement for my bipolar. I haven't started taking it as I need some indication whether it is suitable to take with my meds, but all indications say if there is a cognitive problem it will work. It is a good thing to use.

I think you will see an improvement in him cognitively as long as there isn't cancer in his brain...and even if there is, I believe, as you stated, it will help.

Sounds like you have thought things through, have a great vet, and Thor is very lucky.

Please keep us updated.