Anxiety, panic attacks

Question
Thank you so much for your quick reply!  I forgot to mention that he is also on Fortekor for his heart murmur and Furosemide to keep his lungs less congested at night.  The vet checked for any reactions to Clomicalm and, supposedly, there were none to worry about.

I had a complete round of blood work done earlier this year because he was attacked by a dog in my building and needed surgery.  Nothing else showed up on those tests.  Do you think we should have more blood taken?

When these attacks hit, they are not in response to any noise or anything happening around him.  They appear to be completely in his head.  We'll just be sitting on the couch watching tv or on the computer and he'll be lying in his lovely bed when suddenly he darts up and runs away like the bed has bitten him.  When he's standing around, the same thing will happen.  It's like he's constantly being attacked from behind and then he finds one of us to cling to (He's cowering under my legs right now.).  Is it possible he has some arthritis or something in his legs giving him sharp, piercing pain?

Luckily, we are both very patient and firm with him, but it sure isn't fun having this bag of nerves freaking out all the time.   

Thank you again for all your help!

Val  
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Followup To

Question -
My 15 yr old poodle/bichon cross has major separation anxiety.  I knew this when I adopted him at (12 yrs old) from the pound, but I thought it would get better with training (1000's of dollars later in expert training and doggie daycare and it's only marginally better).  

He is now having what appear to be panic attacks.  The only way I can discribe it is like a horse that has been slapped hard...so that he goes from standing still (or lying down) to jumping from fright and then scurrying away as fast as his legs will take him.  He then shakes and is very clingy until the next one hits.  We noticed this happening occasionally about a year ago and it has increased recently to about 20 times a day.  

I recently begged the doctor for some medication because I've tried all the the "natural" products and it's only since using the Clomicalm on occasion that the attacks have increased so dramatically.  

He wakes me up 3 - 5 times a night shaking and trying to climb onto the bed and we are avoiding doing that because we know it will just increase his anxiety.  

Is it the Clomicalm?  Is there something else going on?  I know that he is showing many of the signs of senility, but what are these "panic attacks"?

Thank you very much!


Answer -
Hi Val :-)

I am so sorry you are having so much trouble with your poodle.

It is possible the anxiety problem occurred due to his mis-treatment with his previous owners. I had this problem with one of my poodles and I did calm him down and he is perfectly fine now. But sometimes a lot of love, affection and care can have a adverse effect especially on a animal who is a bag of nerves.

I would advise you to see another Vetinarian because it does sound like the Clomicalm has caused the increase in these attacks.

Also have some tests run. A complete change in personally or/and behaviour can be symptomatic of a underlying medical condition. I do not think it is anything serious such as a possible brain tumour but I would have a MRI performed to rule out anything or to determine if there is any damage or a growth pressing on a part of his brain that makes him react this way.

Meanwhile keep him with you, but be firm. Do not let him get his own way but be gentle. Give him lots of love and keep him surrounded by family members who he lives with and gradually re-introduce him to a noise or a disturbance that sets off his panic attacks. If he cowers and backs away, stop the reintroduction and then do it again in a few hours or the next day. Once he is not longer panicking with one thing, move on to the other thing that sets him off and try the same technique again.

Hopefully this will work and I completely understand about you putting him on medication. When it is this severe then anyone would and you have done everything right.

Before I forget, also ask for a complete blood panel on your dog of all the regular blood tests and ask for a antibodie test, diabetes, liver function test etc and these should give the Vet more idea into what is going on.

Take care and all the best.

Trisha x

Answer
Hi Val. :-)

You are very welcome hun. Yes it is quite possible for him to have Arthritis. It can set in at any age.

Thinking about what you said, about the way he jumps out of his bed like something has bitten him - it does sound like hallucinations. If he IS having hallucinations then this is classic side effect of medication he is taking.

My poodle is on Fureosomide also for fluid on his lungs due to heart failure and he has not had any effect with this pill because it is a duretic. If any medication is causing side effects I would bet it is caused by his Heart medication.

Yes I would have blood tests performed again and tell the vetinarian you suspect hallucinations because it sounds like your Poodle is seeing things that noone else can see. Definitely have this checked out.

Good luck and all the best to you.

Trisha x