Greyhound Exhibiting Strange Behavior

[Guest SilverGirl]

Hello!

I have not posted much, though I have been lurking for quite some time. I very much enjoy looking at all of the pictures! I feel it necessary to ask this health-related question though. I am not sure if I am being overly-worrisome or not. I apologize in advance for the length of this post!

 

First some background: my greyhound is 10.5 years old; I will have had her one year three weeks from today. She has always gotten a very clean bill of health from the vet. Last December we took her to the ER because she was acting strangely. She was very clingy and seemed to have trouble settling. She just didn't seem right, or her normal self. She received bloodwork, an ultrasound, etc., and received a clean bill of health. They did say she had decreased abdominal sounds at the time of her testing, but the ultrasound showed nothing wrong. It did show a slightly enlarged kidney, but all tests showed her kidneys as functioning properly, so no one was worried. They kept her overnight to watch her, and sent her home the next day. She had not had any problems since then.

 

She did have x-rays done at the vet to check her hips and back legs earlier this year. Everything was in really good shape. The only thing the vet say was a tiny place on her spine that *might* cause problems some day, but perhaps not.

 

So, this morning, here is what she did. On her morning walk, she was walking very slowly, and sat done once. She has never sat down on a walk. But she came back, laid down, and after a pause, her breakfast was fixed. She got up to go eat it, but went to sit down. She walked behind the couch and laid down. I got her to get up, she walked toward me, but then turned and went into the dark study. She then turned around and was standing in the study doorway, looking at me. I got her to come to me, though she was moving very slowly the whole time. I got her to go to her bed and lay down. She seemed hungry so I brought her food to her, and she did eat laying down. Then, she got up, took a few steps and laid down. She then got up and went to her water dish and took one swallow of water. I think she started to lay down again, but went back behind the couch, laid down, and stayed there.

 

I am sure I am forgetting some things, but basically, she moved very slowly, and didn't seem to be able to (or want to) stand very long without sitting, almost sitting, and/or laying down. I was all set to take her to the vet this morning. But then, all of a sudden, she got up and was totally her old self again. Behaved like she does every morning - spunky, impatient for us to leave so she could get her treat, completely normal.

 

I wonder if anyone might offer some advice? Has anyone noticed anything similar in their hounds? I might be making more out of this then I need to. But, I worry because 1. it was so strange for her 2. she had a similar, thought not exactly the same, situation last December 3. my first greyhound died unexpectedly and for unknown reasons so I am paranoid

 

Any advice is appreciated. Thank you for listening!

[TheFullHouse]

It sounds like something was definitely bothering her, she may have been having pain upon moving and what ever it was resolved itself. It could be the area in her back the vet said could give her some problems. I'd just watch her closely and if it happens again I'd get her right in so they can see her when it is happening.

[Guest snakes]

I agree it could be pain. FedX has seizures that are anxiety related. His seizures are not the 'typical' seizures where the body thrashes around. If he is about to have a seizure he generally either sits or lies down and generally goes to a carpeted surface but stays as close to me as possible or at least where he can see me. Sometimes if he thinks i am moving away he will try to follow me but his legs just don't work that well or his balance if off. He is VERY clingy before and after. He generally acts similar as a dog afraid of slick surfaces (like a kitchen floor). He will still respond to my voice. He generally won't eat before or after. If you didn't know him you may not even realize it is a seizure, especially the mild ones.

Maybe it is neurological?

[Guest BrianRke]

I agree it could be pain. FedX has seizures that are anxiety related. His seizures are not the 'typical' seizures where the body thrashes around. If he is about to have a seizure he generally either sits or lies down and generally goes to a carpeted surface but stays as close to me as possible or at least where he can see me. Sometimes if he thinks i am moving away he will try to follow me but his legs just don't work that well or his balance if off. He is VERY clingy before and after. He generally acts similar as a dog afraid of slick surfaces (like a kitchen floor). He will still respond to my voice. He generally won't eat before or after. If you didn't know him you may not even realize it is a seizure, especially the mild ones.

Maybe it is neurological?

I was thinking the same thing.

[Guest SilverGirl]

Jilly'sFullHouse: Thank you, I think I might see about looking at that spot again and see if there have been any changes. That is a good point, that perhaps it has started to be a problem. I will definitely be keeping a VERY close eye on her.

 

Snakes and BrianRke: Thank you as well! My roommate thought perhaps it was neurological too. Especially since all of a sudden she was fine. Are there tests that can determine if she has had some sort of seizure, or other neurological episode?

[TheFullHouse]

If it's a seizure it may happen again so what you can do is keep a journal of these "episodes". Write down the date, time and duration. This you can take to the vet. There really are no tests that you can do on a dog to diagnose seizures, it's mostly done by symptoms. Once diagnosed with them you can then do an MRI if you choose to see if there is something causing them like a tumor or something along those lines.

[greyhead]

This might be a good time, too, to ask for a fuller follow-up conversation with whatever vet(s) evaluated her before, to ask what those "further problems" would look like.

 

I've sometimes been able to arrange appointments (or phone calls) just for discussion between me and the vet, reviewing the chart and providing new observational info, without having to drag the animal in for the appointment at the same time. The animal can always be seen later, after you and the vet discuss whether a specialist is in order. I just tell them I want to make an appointment, or get a phone call from, Dr. So-and-so, to discuss Animal-X. And I don't let the receptionist tell me that I have to bring the animal in. (I've done this with cats and dogs whose age and symptoms made it appropriate.)

 

Good luck, and let us know how you and your girl are doing.

Edited October 3, 2011 by greyhead

[KF_in_Georgia]

If you can, make a video of her when her behavior is "off." Try to film her walking, moving, eating or drinking, call her name and film what response you get, etc. Then you have something to show the vet if she's not showing symptoms at the vet's office.

[Guest SilverGirl]

Thank you to everyone for your replies! All of the information you have give me is very helpful, and so appreciated! She has been her normal, goofy self since it happened but I definitely want to keep an eye on her and try and figure this out. Thanks again!