Border Collie huge sudden behaviour change

Question
Dear Kristin

I have a 3 year old border collie dog who is fit and of a healthy weight whose behaviour has very rapidly changed overnight from being a very loving, exciteable and yet calm dog who is very friendly and great around our 2 children and cat. Last Thursday we noticed a very dramatic change in her behaviour which is still continuing today (Monday 25th July). She started shivering and trying to snuggle up to me as close as she could, then we have a spell of panting excessively, scratching to make a bed, her temperature has been high 104 and 103.4, her heart rate looks high too, she is also acting very submissively hiding under tables and in corners and under bushes, she is not eating or drinking very much at all, and I would say overall is quite flat.

What do you think might be wrong with her? We have had no changes to our family routine at all and she has gone from being a lovely daft family pet to a pet that to me looks as if she is trying to tell us that she needs help.

We have taken her to the vets twice and they have taken blood tests and nothing has come up. She has been prescibed anti biotics and anti inflamatories......but this is making no difference to her behaviour.

Answer

Hi Joanne,

You've said that you've taken your dog to the vet twice, is that twice since you first noticed the behavior changes in your dog last Thursday?

If your dog is running a fever and also shivering and panting excessively (signs that can mean she's in pain), as well as not eating or drinking as she normally does, and is acting lethargic (is that what you meant by "flat"?), you need to have her examined by a veterinarian. This isn't a behavioral issue, this is a medical issue.

It is impossible to guess what your dog's problem might be, as these symptoms can be many different things, ranging from a broken tooth (or something stuck in her gums) to internal problems. Your vet needs to know that theses symptoms are continuing after prescribing medication, since he or she saw your dog last. It isn't always possible to make a diagnosis after one (or even two) visits, but your vet needs to know what's going on!

Best of luck,

Patti