Need some pet advice for my doggie.

[mac78]

What to do, what do you think....
My dog Holly, who is Boston Terrier/Jack Russel Mix. Is 12 years old. The last 3 months, her behavior has become odd to say the least. Some things that she has been doing....
1. Going into a bedroom, and laying under the edge of the bed, in really small spaces.
2. Sometimes she will just sit and shake like she is scared or something.
3. Her eating habits are still crazy, some days she eats good, others not so good.
4. Before Ashley came back from Germany, she started going to her bedroom door and laying there for hours.
5. I cleaned out Austin's room a couple months ago, and then she started going in there and laying/hiding.

It is so bizarre. This morning, I could not find her, I search my house for 20 min and called her name over and over, she never came out. I finally found her in Ashley's room, between the futon and bookcase, snuggled into a blanket. So bizarre. I was ready to call my neighbor to come and help me look for her.

I know there has been a lot of changes going on here. Dave working different shifts, Ashley being gone, came back for 12 days, then left again for college, Austin moving back home. I think these things have affected her some.

I took her to the vet 2 weeks ago, they did a lot of blood work, and said for her age she was doing well, considering the things we delt with last year. She still gets meds everyday.

I told the vet about her bizarre behavior. We got her a prescription for anxiety, and I give it to her, but I don't notice much difference, and after this morning and her hiding that way, my fear is she is going to go off and die somewhere. I also believe that the daycare kids are maybe adding to her stress. She tends to stay away from them now, and if they scream or cry, she will shake.

So, any suggestions on what to do. Do I just make her a nice bed behind a chair in the front room where the kids don't go, and keep her there all day, or do I make her a bed behind closed doors in a bedroom and keep her there all day. I just know that this morning I had the crap scared out of me, I thought she may have slipped out when the door was opened or something. I do know that once evening comes, and Dave is home, and things are calmer, she acts more normal.

Is there any herbal products for dogs that treat stress and anxiety. The pills the vet gave us don't seem to make a difference. I am giving Holly 10mg of amitriptyline, she weighs about 19 pounds.
Thanks for any advice you can give me my fellow dog lovers.:)

[ChapterTwo]

When we moved, and my cat also became deaf, he was having a terrible time (and so was I)! He would walk around all night, yowling, and I barely slept.

There is a product called "Rescue Remedy"...there is one for dogs and one for cats. It is all natural, made from flowers, and worked at first for us. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=1233
Some large pet shops carry it, or you can get it online at places like Drs. Foster and Smith (the link, above). I've heard of people having great success with it.

Eventually we wound up having to get a scrip for Reconcile, which is sort of pet Prozac. It says it's for separation anxiety, but as with many medications, it has a lot of applications. http://www.reconcile.com/ I gradually weaned Rusty off of it and he doesn't yowl all night now - just once in a while.

Of course, your dog's problems are a bit different, but I just thought I'd tell you my experiences. Good luck, Marie!

[RoseMary]

I have used the rescue remedy for my cats, too, and it works very well. We found that putting it on the ears works better than trying to force them to take it orally. I usually order it from eBay at a good price.

I do think I would keep her away from the kids for a while, Mac. If they are making her nervous, it will just keep her upset. Poor baby--I hope she is better soon.

[vintage girl]

Mac, I think you have been given great suggestions. Rescue Remedy is excellent, I have used it for several years with my rescue and foster dogs, with good results. One thing that is key here is your dog's age. She is a senior and when animals age, their behaviour can change, just like with people. They become slower, sleep more, lose part of their sight and hearing (this could be why she is hiding), have appetite changes, and of course they get a form of dementia also. I would keep her away from the daycare kids and give her a "safe" spot just for her. That is what she is looking for when she hides. Has she ever used a crate? Sometimes a nice big crate with a bed and blanket in a quiet area works out very well. Just leave the door open, or even take the door off, so she can come and go. It is hard to see our animals age, but with just a few simple adjustments you can make her comfortable. I would definately make her bed or crate up in a room that is completely isolated from the daycare kids and daily activities. Take care, let us know how it goes and give your dog a big hug from me:)

[mac78]

Thank you all so much. I knew you would give me some great suggestions and help. I am going to order the Resuce Remedy and make her a bed in the bedroom, away from everyone and see how that goes. I will also keep the other bedroom doors shut during the day so she can't get in them.

:)

[mac78]

Ladies, do you have a preference with the "Rescue Remedy" of spray or drops. I am thinking spray, but wanted to ask.

[ChapterTwo]

I used the drops because that was all that was available in our local store - I put it in his wet food and he didn't seem to notice it.

[vintage girl]

I have always used the drops also. They do not notice it in their food or water at all. :)

[Rory Bremner]

My beagle turned 12 the other day and is displaying some of these behaviours too. I'm sure his age is starting to take its toll. I know his sight isn't as good as used to be and he is now showing signs of arthritic discomfort, that he takes pills for. In addition, he's a little uncertain about situations that aren't routine, where he was over confident a few years back. He spends a good deal of his day sleeping on an old sheepskin under a blanket.

[Carrie]

To rule out that anything is wrong health wise I would take your dog to a vet.
If this isn't anything health related then it might be that your puppy is grieving for her grown up human children the flew the nest. When I moved out of the house years ago my moms dog Lacey got really sad. She would look for me to come home lying by the door. When I didn't come home, she'd go lay in my old room and stay there for a while She didn't want to come out without a lot of coaxing from my mom. Mom spent a lot of quality time with Lacey and basically asserted herself as the pack leader as the Dog Whisperer would say.
It really sounds like your dog is grieving.

[mac78]

She has been to the vet regularly. Just 2 weeks ago and they did a bunch of blood test, said all her organs looked very good. They did give us a pill for anxiety, but I don't think it is working too well. I do believe also, like you, that she is sad of all the changes going on/that have been going on around here. I do notice towards late day/evening, she seems much more active and does not seek out a hiding spot, hence I think the daycare kids are making her nervous.

I will order the Rescue Remedy, make her a special spot off alone, and go from there. Thank you everyone for your help.

The vet actually just checked her eyes, and said they were very good, no cataracts or anything.....I could of told her that, as she can spot a squirrel 50 yards away....;)

[chyna]

I agree with the calming drops, never used them but have heard wonderful things. A friend of ours would her dog chamomile drops because the dog had car anxiety and it seemed to work pretty well. Perhaps find a natureopathic vet and see what they suggest.

I know my Chyna needs time away from the rest of the dogs and takes a short morning nap while I get ready for work. If she can get away with it she will hide during the day too, the youngster dogs absolutely drive her cranky.

[ChapterTwo]

Oh, Carrie...I think Marie did say she took the dog to the vet 2 wks. ago and the vet did tests and said that all seemed well. It's so hard when the patient is a small child or pet because they can't tell us what's wrong...:o