Neurotic Behavior Cairn Terrier

Question
QUESTION: My four year old Cairn stares at the floor a lot and acts like he sees things.  He also will jump up suddenly and scurry across the room like something just bit him or spooked him from behind.  My vet said there was nothing wrong w/his eyes, we don't have fleas which I thought could possibly be biting him.  He has always been a little edgy but very sweet and patient with kids and other dogs.  It's heartbreaking to see him behave this way.  Any suggestions??? Thank you

ANSWER: Sounds like some of the obsessive behaviors I have seen through the years.  In fact I was just at a friend's Saturday evening and saw their lab mix chase imaginary things across the floor. Of course, in her case it is reflections and light beams that move across the floor and walls.  Cats do this pretty often too.

How often does the jump and scurry thing happen ?  How long has it been going on, and did it ever stop and then come back ?

The only dog I have known who jumped out and acted like something had bitten him had very bad allergies and for some reason the itch and pain would hit him out of the blue periodically.  It was very sad to watch, but did get better once his allergies were under control.  You don't see any of the other signs of allergies, do you - such as ear infections, paw chewing, darkened skin (especially where the tail attaches to the back) or hair loss ??

I'm really at a loss without seeing him in action.

Give me some more information and I will see if anything pops into my mind.  Sorry I can;t be of more help

-Beth

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Wow, thank you so much for taking your time to discuss this.  We've taken our boy to two veterenarians and they both said his eyes were fine.  He doesn't have any signs of allergies, he always get a clean bill of health.  The jump and scurry thing happens all the time.  Every day.  It stopped for a week or so when we got our new Cairn puppy (we thought maybe he was bored and could use some dog companionship) but it came back.  Usually, when he's laying on the footrest of my recliner he literally springs into the air (which startles everybody in the room) after he has been sleeping and when he lands he smooshes up next to me and looks back at the place he was just laying.  I look too hoping to see a spider or something (well, not too badly hoping to see a spider but you know what I mean)Also, he has always slept in our bed and for the past couple of months at night he starts out sitting rigid and staring at the comforter and eventually he ends up right along my side.  He never seems relaxed though.  Always rigid.  I'm afraid he isn't sleeping well.  The second vet we just took him to started him on Prozac to see if that would help.  I guess in a month we'll know.  I just hope it doesn't have other side effects.  Well, again, thank you.  You are very kind to take the time to help.  p.s. just as I was getting ready to send this follow-up he jumped off the recliner, ran across the room, jumped in my lap, sniffed the keyboard and acted like the space bar shocked him.   Thank you

Answer
Monika

The more I read you describing this, the more it sounds like a neurological problem of some sort. I mean, dogs do not hallucinate that I am aware of.  I keep thinking maybe he's got some kind of nerve mis-firing thing that gives him a sudden short jolt of pain - so he is looking for what hurt him.

The medication should help keep his anxiety level down, but I am not certain that it's likely to stop it from happening. Did the vet imply that it's psychological rather than neurological ... or just not even seem that interested ??

You're probably right that he's not getting good rest and that would elevate his anxiety levels (at least it does with people, so why not dogs?)... Perhaps the meds will help with that too.

I am really really sorry I can't be of more help, but it sure sounds like a tough situation.  Perhaps looking up the email address for the neurologist at the closest veterinary school ?  Where I live, that would be Cornell University and they always take a big interest in such unusual cases.

Poor baby.  Please give him a gentle squeeze for me and I sure wish I could help more.

-Beth