My 5 year old lab keeps going through phases every few months. He will become ravenous and very naughty for a few days and then become lethargic for a day or two and then completely back to normal. This has been going on for a few years but it is getting more frequent and worse, this last time he got quite aggressive. He is usually a happy docile dog that will let anybody do anything to him. He went through this phase a few days ago, I was at my wits end after he ate so much stuff he shouldn't have he had to have an X Ray. My vet keeps saying he is a greedy Labrador or that it is behavioural. I don't think this is the case as he is only like it for a few days every few months. Has anyone been through this before?
Hi and welcome , sorry to hear of your problems , have you thought of asking your Vet to check for thyroid issues ? I don't know an awful lot about it but I believe it can tip the balance in an otherwise healthy happy dog, so it may be worth asking about ? If he did have an over active thyroid, it could account for his bouts of ravenous hunger , good luck
I did mention thyroid to the vet but he doesn't seem to listen to me, I don't know if it's because of my age or what. After I begged, he did finally agree to take bloods but he said nothing really showed up. He also said he would speak to the neurologist but that hasn't happened. He had a seizure a few years back so I'm wondering if he has been having more when I'm not around and it's connected but the vet doesn't seem concerned, he basically said if I haven't seen him having any more seizures then he probably hasn't!
Hi Christina, it sounds as if your vet isn't being as helpful as he could be. There is always a cause for changes in behaviour whether it be health, environmental etc. Could you keep a diary to record when your boy's behaviour changes and perhaps try to note anything different on those days - what he eats, how much he drinks, pees, poops, changes in the environment, events at home even the weather as it could show a link between the events that may help a vet/behaviourist get to the root cause. I think I would also perhaps look at changing vets if you're not happy with the level of care being offered.
Hi Christina, I am sorry to hear you are having such a worrying time with your dog I strongly recommend getting a second opinion. Whilst your vet might be right in his assessment, it doesn't sound like he's doing a good job of reassuring you or of appearing to be taking your concerns seriously. I would take the dog to another veterinarian, explain what you have told your own and ask them to start again with the diagnosis and assessment. I would also seek advice from a qualified canine behaviourist. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and to get lots of different opinions. Best of luck, and do let us know how you get along. Lucy x
I have kept note of everything he has done and how he has been behaving from this last event. I have emailed a behaviourist today so hopefully I will get a reply from him soon. I am also hoping the vet will ring back about the neurologist today as he said he was hoping for a reply yesterday. If I have no response from my vet I will seek advice from another. I really don't know why my vet isn't willing to be more helpful, it seems he just wants to label my poor dog as a naughty dog. I could understand him being so adamant it's behavioural if things had changed at home but he still has the same food, the same level of exercise and mental stimulation and I'm home a lot more now than I ever have been. He is such a loving boy and my spaniel absolutely loves him and never leaves his side so I'm trying desperately to resolve his problems before it gets too late
Ahh, now the seizure could be a clue and its a subject close to my heart as I have had a dog in the past who suffered them and one of my current dogs also has them occasionally . It is very possible for a dog to have whats called an Absence Seizure and for the owner to not realise , they just go " blank " for seconds, no loss of consciousness , not really what you think a seizure is about, but it is one . I would definitely be looking at changing your veterinary care and pursuing the neurological route , I do so hope you can bottom this .
He quite often stands and stares into space and can't hear me call him for a few seconds, I mentioned this to the vet as well. The seizure I saw him have was awful. He didn't go unconscious but he was definitely fitting, shaking uncontrollably but him still kept trying to get up, I had to hold him down until it was over. He does also get extremely shaky in his sleep (not like the usually twitching of paws etc). It seems to me the hunger is before the seizure. On this occasion it has started on the 9th April, he stole a flap jack and also ate a whole load of tin foil with it, he has ate wrappers out of a street bin, ate a load of his dog food out of his food container (he had to have an X Ray for this as he has satiety which swells) his has also had a whole tub of milkshake powder. This all happened over the period of 10 days and then he went really quiet and sad looking. His eyes since have become very wet and today the wet stuff in one eyes is green! Is it common for them to be so hungry building up to the seizure?
Yes it is common for the hunger , either before or post seizure, with my dog is was post seizure . The staring into space is typical of absence seizures , my dog did this quite often, no reaction to sounds or sights . Please don't worry about medications , they are very effective and inexpensive, but often have to be given for life , if indeed you do get a diagnosis of seizure . Re the eyes , if he has green gunk , it could be an infection, it is the usual symptom , so bathe gently in cooled boiled water , then Vet I`m afraid if it doesn't improve very quickly .
Do you know if an mri scan would show signs of seizures? Nothing showed up in his blood tests. I have been bathing his eye, it doesn't seem like he has an infection. I notice his eyes become wet and sometimes slightly green after every time he these phases.
Remembering that seizures are a symptom , not a disease , so they wont show up in a blood test . Seizures can be caused by many things , canine epilepsy or inflammatory brain disease to name but two . Most Vets will make an initial diagnosis on your diary of events , past history and health of the dog , getting a video of them can really help too so that the Vet can decide what action, if any , to take .
I think the blood test was to eliminate kidney or liver disease and to mainly shut me up! Hopefully I will get answers soon! Thank you for your help, it is very much appreciated
I can offer only good wishes for a good outcome as I have no personal experience with seizures in any animal or human. But I did want to let you and those who have replied with ideas and suggestions know I got quite an education with this. I had no idea there was a link between appetite and seizures for one thing. I will keep the responses in the back of my mind and hope I never need them but remember them if I do. Once again, hope you resolve this soon.
I didn't know about the link between ravenous appetite and seizures either. Something worth remembering.
It took me a while to think that maybe they are linked. I wish I could say that I just have a naughty dog but unfortunately I do think it is something neurological going on. I am getting my mum to phone the vet tomorrow to trace them up, maybe they will listen to her I will let you know if I find anything else out
I can't offer any more advice than has already been said, apart from in humans MRI scans are used to help diagnose causes of seizures, so I'd assume the same could be true with dogs. I'd keep pestering the vet for sure and definitely be looking for a second opinion. I wish you well and hope you get some answers too. Do you know if they took bloods to test sodium levels? Low sodium can cause seizures in humans.
I'm not sure what they tested for in the bloods, the vet said he would just look for all the usual things that can cause seizures. My mum spoke to the vet this morning and they are still waiting to hear from the neurologist so they will chase that up on Monday. Bailey has gone back to his usual self now, he just seems to have an obsession for dandelions!
