Rat Terrier paranoia

Question
My 3 yr. old rat has developed a different personality lately.  She was always playful but has now become paranoid numerous times through out the day and wants to be behind someone on the couch or chair, constantly looks around with a "worried" look on her face has started to go under my bed and scratch the carpet, crys every once in a while. She is not eating on a regular basis like she was and would rather sleep all day next to someone than play. She roots more in bed at night and can't seem to stop which has kept me up all night. She has spells with this behavior that seem to be getting worse and longer. SHe will still take a treat but this long weekend I haven't seen her hit the food or water bowl.  This change is not her.  I have had her since she was 8 wks. and she has gone with me in my semi truck since that time. We are out through the week days and home on weekends. SHe is a one person dog but excepts only my mother readily. SHe never goes to my son and yet I found her next to him on the couch snuggled up. She almost acts scared to be left alone, which we don't do.  I had introduced a young Jack Russell that I saved from a neglectful home about 5 months ago and everything has been fine between them. SHe is not spayed and very healthy. I am worried that this personality change may be life threatening to her. Would blood work help ? Would aoreciate a quick response

Answer
Kathleen -

Call your vet on Monday morning and make an appointment.

Any marked change in behavior should be reviewed by a vet.  Health problems are the first thing that will cause a change in behavior, and since our furry friends can't speak, we need to rely on behavior as an indicator of potential problems.

For example, I have a gordon setter. Taboo is getting a little older for the breed, and started being really afraid of any kind of beeping or buzzer (there goes being able to watch game shows).  Additionally, she would not walk down the hall to my bedroom alone when we go to bed. I called my vet since this was starting to drive me crazy.  She would shake, drool and insist on climbing into my lap.  Turns out she is starting to go blind, and these noises confuse her because she can't see that anything has changed and should be making these noises.  I'm a little sad for her, but am glad we at least know what the problem is.

Good luck !  Let me know how you make out.

-Beth