CDS or something else?

Question
Our dog Donner is a 13 year old German Shepard mix.  She is currently taking Deramaxx and Joint Care (Glucosamine/Condroitin/Vitamin C/MSM) for hip problems and Clomicalm for separation anxiety.  While her hips remain a problem, she does not seem to be in a lot of pain.  Her anxiety however has gotten a lot worse; to the point where we recently canceled our vacation plans and stayed home because we were afraid to leave her.  This did give us the opportunity to observe her behavior almost constantly.  The majority of the time, say 80%, she seems completely normal.  Then, without warning, she would jerk quickly and become very frightened; ears back, panting, pacing, looking for a place to hide, etc.  This also happened while she was sleeping.  She would jump up as if she had been shocked and the fearful behavior would start.  This happens 4 or 5 times a day.  She never looses consciousness.

We've recently had her to the local Vet and are awaiting the results of blood work.  He suggested that we take her off the Clomicalm, wait two weeks and then start her on Anipryl for CDS.  While it may be hard for me to recognize or admit that she is becoming senile; I think that she is very much as she always was until one of these attacks happens.

Any advice you can give us will be greatly appreciated,

Paul, Tracy and Donner


Answer
The attack does not sound like anxiety....to me it sounds more like seizure activity and not a behavioral problem.  I, too, would advise taking her off the Clomicalm as it should NOT be given to a dog with a history of seizures, and tremors/seizures are a reported side effect.   I would consider starting her on Potassium Bromide.  

You can add RESCUE REMEDY into her water on a daily basis and use DAP/Comfort Zone Diffusers to help ease any underlying anxiety.   

The jerking and pacing, also does not sound like CDS....this is more of a wandering around, forgetfullness, having accidents in the house because loss of housetraining, sleeping more, not recognizing family members, etc.

If need be, Xanax could be used on an as needed basis for panic attacks.