hackles when waking, dog seems to be very grumpy at night when waking up may be related to health issue

[Boogerbear]

Long context: dog has a lot of health issues. Related to allergies, causing yeast infections, causing ear infections. Currently he is in the midst of a bad yeast infection we are attempting to treat.

Came home from the vet. Where he got blood work and a shot. He willingly goes to the vet. Has never showed aggression. 

For two weeks he’s been waking up out of bed particularly at night with his hackles up. I don’t know why he doesn’t seem to be directed at me they’re just up. I don’t ever touch or bother him while he’s in bed as he has sleep startle. I’m now wondering if he just has some issues with being in bed at night. 

I noticed his ear was bothering him a lot post vet. Lots of discharge. I called him out of bed to take a look. Grabbed some gauze and attempted to mop up some clear and brow discharge. The vet may have cleaned his ear out at the visit which caused the liquid. His hackles were up. While cleaning his ear out he growled. So I stopped and he went back to bed to sleep. 

(he usually welcomes me itching his ears because they are usually bothering him, he’ll lean into my hand and sigh)

I’m not sure what to make of this but it of course is concerning to me as I don’t like my dog growling at me. I’m not sure if it’s that I called him out of bed at night to mess with his ear or if his ear was hurting/bothering him so he told me to stop. Or if it has to do with being so stressed out at the vet. 

I’m not even sure if anything could/should be done beyond not attempting to mess with his ears after interrupting his sleep at night?

[HeyRunDog]

It looks like another vet's visit is needed as his ear infection has probably got worse and the constant irritation and pain is making him grumpy.

[macoduck]

Were you given any meds to drip in his ear? If so, rather than wipe it out I let my girl shake her head. Then I'll wipe but not deep in. Once I do this several times a day it eases up.

Was a culture done to make sure the right med was given?

In the meantime, put the muzzle on to prevent a snap if you touch on a tender spot.

[Boogerbear]

15 hours ago, HeyRunDog said:

It looks like another vet's visit is needed as his ear infection has probably got worse and the constant irritation and pain is making him grumpy.

Called the vet today (he had gone yesterday just a few hours prior). Since he was given an oral antifungal the vet is hoping that will help his ears too. Something is really running through his system right now as he’s suddenly exploded into a red itchy mess. I’m sure being extremely itchy would make anyone grumpy. So I’m guessing that’s why he’s been not happy at night. I’m not sure why it’s one time of day. Maybe he’s getting tired? 
 

I feel like I’m the only person I know who’s ever had their dog growl at them. I talked to friends who own dogs and they’re all shocked and say “well my dog would never growl at me even if they were in pain”. 

 

 

[ShebasMom]

My Sheba growls and snarls at me somewhat frequently, but typically only when her sleep is interrupted. She doesn't sleep with me (thank goodness!), but when on her bed on the floor at the foot of my bed, she will growl and snarl when I unintentionally interrupt her sleep--coming back to bed from the bathroom in the middle of the night is typically when it happens. I just tell her to be quiet and all goes back to normal. She does have sleep startle so everyone knows to leave her alone when she's on one of her various beds.

[MerseyGrey]

You’re definitely not the only person who has ever had their dog growl at them. Growling is one of the few ways your dog can let you know how he feels, because his options are limited. He’s being good and warning you that he doesn’t like what you’re doing. If you think about how painful ear infections are for you, it’s not surprising that he is warning you off from touching his sore ears. You have to consider if you’d rather have him growl as a warning or simply snap at you. I know which I’d prefer!

Cant help you with his health issues or personality but I hope whatever he has clears up soon.

[mansbestfriend]

Hi. I'd get a vet's diagnosis about the red itchy skin issue ASAP, and a second vet's opinion if necessary. Cheers.

 

[HeyRunDog]

8 hours ago, Boogerbear said:

Called the vet today (he had gone yesterday just a few hours prior). Since he was given an oral antifungal the vet is hoping that will help his ears too. Something is really running through his system right now as he’s suddenly exploded into a red itchy mess. I’m sure being extremely itchy would make anyone grumpy. So I’m guessing that’s why he’s been not happy at night. I’m not sure why it’s one time of day. Maybe he’s getting tired? 
 

I feel like I’m the only person I know who’s ever had their dog growl at them. I talked to friends who own dogs and they’re all shocked and say “well my dog would never growl at me even if they were in pain”. 

 

 

Just wondering if the red itchy mess is an alergic reaction to the antifungal treatment.

 

[Feefee147]

18 hours ago, Boogerbear said:

I feel like I’m the only person I know who’s ever had their dog growl at them. I talked to friends who own dogs and they’re all shocked and say “well my dog would never growl at me even if they were in pain”. 

 

 

As others have said above - it's not that uncommon for your dog to growl at you. 

I find greys are pretty vocal in this respect, perhaps more so than other breeds which could be why other people are shocked about it. Mine was very growly and snappy when I first got him. He's less so now but does growl occasionally. He growls if he's uncomfortable with something I'm doing. He also growls (good naturedly) if we're playing with his ball and I take too long to throw it. 

Either way - I've grown to understand it's just his way of telling me something and I don't get upset or worried about it anymore. 

You poor boy sounds pretty unwell. Hopefully with a bit more time the meds will all help and he'll be back to his normal self soon. Ear infections are nasty

[cleptogrey]

It's allergy season. Ground and leaf mold #s are high. Sounds like ear infection or bad yeast infection and allergies. Poor pup, talk about meds and possible antihistamines  or steroids if he's really bad. Good luck, a second opinion doesn't hurt. 

[Boogerbear]

On 11/12/2020 at 2:04 AM, HeyRunDog said:

Just wondering if the red itchy mess is an alergic reaction to the antifungal treatment.

 

He became a red itchy mess over the course of a month (though he’s always since I’ve had him been itchy) and then he got the anti fungal which actually seems to be doing him some good? I hope it helps him because it’s sort of the last treatment the vet has for us.

[Boogerbear]

On 11/11/2020 at 6:01 PM, ShebasMom said:

My Sheba growls and snarls at me somewhat frequently, but typically only when her sleep is interrupted. She doesn't sleep with me (thank goodness!), but when on her bed on the floor at the foot of my bed, she will growl and snarl when I unintentionally interrupt her sleep--coming back to bed from the bathroom in the middle of the night is typically when it happens. I just tell her to be quiet and all goes back to normal. She does have sleep startle so everyone knows to leave her alone when she's on one of her various beds.

My boy also has sleep startle. One of several of his issues we have been managing. I’ve managed it by just having him sleep in a crate and not allow him to fall asleep during the day on the couch or other furniture. I’d love to have him be okay for snuggling in bed but he’s a very independent dog anyhow so not exactly the snuggling type.