Springer Spaniel Behavioural Problems

puppychick79

Hi

Wondering if anyone has experience similar problems. We have 2 springers but having a problem with the male, hes 2 years old and un netured. Yesterday after a walk and swim at our local park he came back and after drying off in the garage for an hour started rubbing his back feet on the carpet and stretching them almost like he had cramp and trying to stretch it out. He was being very restless and circling and throwing himself on the floor and whining and whimpering myself and my hubbie were on the floor trying to keep him calm, his leg was twitching and he was almost bouncing off the walls going mad. He eventually collapsed on the floor and even though his eyes were open he seemed to pass out for a few seconds come round and he seemed disorinatated.

My hubbie sat on the floor and he seemed to calm down we rang the vet and took him straight up there. She checked him over and said he seems fine his legs were ok and he was showing no sign of pain his temperature was normal etc. She suggested that he might have had an epileptic fit and to keep an eye on him and if it happens again to bring him back and we will start treatment. He was fine after that and back to himself compeletly.

Well today after another walk and swim he goes to dryy off comes in and starts again with the leg thing, he hasent had a fit or passed out this time. My husband believe its a behavioural problem as even for a Crazy Springer hes very highly strung and craves a lot of attention especially from me. I left the room whilst he was having an 'episode' and husband said he was fine and was just staring at the door I had left through. So we have sort of tried to ignore him and he seems ok if not a little sulky ive even fed him and hes eaten normal so im begining to think the hubbie is right.

Has anyone been through anything similar with your dogs? Im worried if it is something medical we havent done what we can to help him but then if its something behavioural then need to help him in other ways, sorry for the long post!

elliesmemory1

Could it maybe something in the garage that hes picking up on his feet that is iritateing (sp) his feet or something? does he only do it when he comes in from the garage or at other times as well?

puppychick79

No nothing in the garage thats been checked as was worried he had eaten or got hold of something he shouldnt have but nothing. Its just bizarre as now hes perfectly normal, im gonna try walking him in another place tomorrow and see if any difference its just really upsetting to watch as he goes crazy!

suki1964

I would hardly call this a "behaviour" problem tbh and I would be heading back to the vet. As your vet said to you it could be epilepsy and that if it happened again to take him back so treatment could be started

bouncydog1

Our spaniels used to do this when they had been in the fields - we eventually tracked it down to stinging nettles. Definately not behavioural - be guided by your vet.

puppychick79

Make no mistake if he passes out or fits he will go straight back to the vets, i will not put my dogs health at risk at the chance it could be behavioural problems.

We have been advised it could be nettles etc irretating his paws its just its the first time or second now that hes done it. Its just for him to get so worked up about it that he passed out is very concerning.

Our other dog (female spaniel) shows no signs of any problems at all. Shes a tough little cookie where he is definately the softer of the 2 and tends to whimper at the smallest of things. Its just worrying that he stopped the shuffling and whimpering and generally going crazy when i left the room, and with him being quite 'high maintaince' generally a bit of me cant help but think it might be something to do with this. But either way a close eye is being kept on him.

shegirl

Without meaning to be rude,have you ever heard of a dog suffering a fit or feigning something health wise for attention? I'm no expert but I certainly haven't and can't imagine it would be the case at all and I doubt attention seeking would actually cause such 'physical' problems either.

puppychick79

I agree with you shegirl Ive never heard of such an extreme reaction either to the point the dog passes out thats why we went straight to the vets.

I think his feet are itchy as others have said and been advised on a Springer Spaniel forum we go on, its just a very extreme reaction to have but then i know how i feel when i get itchy through things but I wouldnt go to the point of passing out. Maybe Ive titled the thread wrong as it seems its less about the behavioural issue and more health based issue, either way dosent stop me worrying about my little boy

Hes a very fit dog otherwise and eating and drinking normally.

Raksha

bouncyd!!! wrote: »

Our spaniels used to do this when they had been in the fields - we eventually tracked it down to stinging nettles. Definately not behavioural - be guided by your vet.

My dogs have done this too in the past - a human anti histamine sorted it out, as advised by my vet.

Mankysteve

Sounds like typical dog fit symptoms to me, but I'm not a vet. A would say another vet trip is in order. Maybe rather than going though the garage try changing the routine and see what happens.

dirtmother

When my cats and dogs have had fits, the phone response from the vet has been 'bring them in when they've had three in a fortnight' As dogs don't drive or operate machinery it is not quite the same issue as with humans and treatment is a matter for careful judgment. Unfortunately I have had a cat and a dog who have gone on to need treatment.

Perhaps quite a long time to be in an unheated environment after good exercise and a swim?