We have a 7month old lab called Mani who had a few fits in his 3rd month and was put on Levetiracetam, an anti-convulsant. Two weeks ago he started acting really strangely. He cowers and looks scared to death when we get his collar/harness out for a walk. Once out the door he doesn't act submissively but pulls very badly, he's sometimes almost lying on his left side with the strain. He's also started waking at around 2am in the morning, crying, howling and then barking. I've tried 'crying down' techniques a bit like I did when my children were babies but it's not working and after a few hours I've been letting him out of the crate just for some peace for a busy household. He has become more aggressive at times biting my 17yr old. I took him to the vets to get home checked and without hardly any examination or questioning they just doubled his dose of medication. We walk him at least twice a day for upto an hour each time. Do basic training indoors and outdoors which he's pretty good at but cannot let him off lead as he has on each occasion run off without a backwards glance getting into main roads etc. We all think we're doing the best we can for him but it's a very trying time. Any help/ advice any if you have will be most appreciated.
Re: Support and advice needed please Hi and welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear of the problems you are having with your 7 month old and his change in behaviour. I'm not convinced that the best response is to just increase Mani's medication level. Can you contact a behaviourist for an appointment who can help to identify the problems and work out a plan of action for you and your family? For help with recall I wold recommend Pippa's book Total Recall which will help you develop a good recall with Mani. I'm sure others will be along soon to offer advice and suggestions, so although things may seem bleak there is a lot of help and support here on the forum and know that you are not alone with problems with your puppy.
Re: Support and advice needed please If it is epilepsy or even if you are just worried, do have a look at "phyllis croft foundation for canine epilepsy" on the internet, there are several sites with that address. I had an epileptic dog and they were very helpful and supportive. Many vets are not very 'up' on epilepsy, my vet very kindly went on a course the foundation were running.
Re: Support and advice needed please He is entering/about to enter adolescence. This cam be a very trying time for both dog and owner. You have a human teenager - you know how difficult this time can be. Molly went nuts when she was a teenager. Didn't want to go out, didn't want to stop pulling. Jumped up and paws me violently. Snapped at the lead. All for no discernible reason. You are clearly unhappy with the doubling of his medication. Can you get a second opinion?
Re: Support and advice needed please Thank you for the replies so far. I have made an appointment with a different, very reputable vet for a second opinion and contacted a local behaviourist who has over 20 years police dog training which will hopefully help me understand how I can help him. I think my other adolescent was easier to handle than this furry one
Re: Support and advice needed please Welcome Seeing another vet is a good idea. Ditto the behaviourist. At this age they certainly can be trying and a redoubled training effort is usually needed. For recall issues 'Total Recall' is a fab resource.
Re: Support and advice needed please A second opinion sounds a good way to go. I can't offer any advice in this situation. Just wanted to say hope things improve for you and Mani in the very near future. Do let us know how things progress. x x
Re: Support and advice needed please Hi and welcome to the forum sounds like you've got a typical teenager A 2nd opinion is always good, good luck
Re: Support and advice needed please Hi there and welcome.glad you've made a plan,let us know how you get on at your appointments x
Re: Support and advice needed please Hello and welcome to the forum. Hope things start to look up for you soon - do let us know how you get on with the new vet, and with the behaviorist.
