What did the vet mean?

emmsie123

Took dog to vets for her injections last night.
The little minx went for him.
He saw her spinning round and round in circles and said it could be her brain.
Shes already had part of her tail amputated from doing this.
rescued this dog 4 years ago of a chav who threatened to kill her and its something she has always done.
There going to get two vets in on Tuesday to do her injection and examine her properly.
What did he mean by her brain.

arbrighton

You need to ask him what he meant

And get a muzzle etc so the vet can do his job safely

emmsie123

She wouldn't have the muzzle on either, when hubby tried she went to bite him too.

Mojisola

Obsessive spinning can be caused by emotional or neurological problems.

You'll have to talk it through with the vet.

oystercatcher

I've seen the spinning behaviour listed as a symptom of that disease where the skull is too small, prevalent in KC Cavaliers. This can cause much pain and distress so is best to get dog checked . Hopefully is due to something unrelated but this can't be ignored just in case.

Agree with comments on muzzle.

emmsie123

She spins when someone knocks on the door or phones.
She had to have half her tail amputated and at new year she also bit through her tail.
Shes a staffie.

Mojisola

emmsie123 wrote: »

Shes already had part of her tail amputated from doing this.
rescued this dog 4 years ago of a chav who threatened to kill her and its something she has always done.

emmsie123 wrote: »

She spins when someone knocks on the door or phones.

Probably a stress reaction then but the vet may want to investigate further just in case.

krlyr

As others have said, only the vet can confirm what they meant. I imagine it'll be neurological - perhaps brain damage, a tumour, or similar. But just because they think it's that, doesn't mean it is - that's what the tests etc. are for.

Circling and tail chasing is a compulsive behaviour often associated with dogs who've been left in stressful situations, e.g. long periods alone in kennels for example. Poor ownership could have meant the dog was left shut in a part of the house or out in the garden on its own a lot, causing the issue.

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/compulsive-behavior-dogs

In regards to the muzzle, I would spend some time muzzle training him, do it in lots of short sessions if he's that wary of having a muzzle put on him. At first, you want to be rewarding him even just at the sight of a muzzle, before you attempt to fit it. This video by trainer Chirag Patel is great
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FABgZTFvHo

sangie595

It could be a result of many things. But violence against herself and others is a very serious thing - is this something that has started recently or has she been so aggressive throughout the four years you have had her?

Muzzling a dog is a process - it takes time and a calm human to accustom a dog to a muzzle. In the short term you cannot do this - you need to be able to muzzle him for visits to the vets, and in any other public place. In the long term - and there is a long term here, so you must do it - there is a really good video here that will help you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_OcF1wbmnU

In the short term:
(a) stay as calm as possible. Any anxiety you have will be picked up by the dog and will make the dog anxious too. That leads to biting.
(b) Never approach the dog from the front. That is setting up a direct conflict.
(c) I assume you are able to put a lead on the dog? If so, approach with the lead from the side, putting the lead on the dog and at the same time quickly but gently slipping the muzzle over the snout. The lead gives you some additional control while you fasten the muzzle in place.

Solid or basket muzzles are best because they have a fixed shape - once over the dogs snout then you are in a better position to complete the task. Never take the lazy option though - you may not have the luxury right now of getting him used to the muzzle, but for his sake and yours you need to follow through with getting him used to it.

Remember that muzzles do not stop aggression, they stop biting. You can still get hurt by a powerful dog in a muzzle - try getting head butted by one to find out how much it hurts! The aggression itself needs addressing too, and that is also a long and arduous process. But you obviously care about the dog, and believe me when I say that he will be happier when he knows how to live life calmly and without fear and anger.

teddysmum

oystercatcher wrote: »

I've seen the spinning behaviour listed as a symptom of that disease where the skull is too small, prevalent in KC Cavaliers. This can cause much pain and distress so is best to get dog checked . Hopefully is due to something unrelated but this can't be ignored just in case.

Agree with comments on muzzle.

I believe you are referring to SM (syringomyelia ) in the Cavalier King Charles,but spinning is not a common symptom, though air scratching is.

emmsie123

Shes been like this the whole 4 years i've had her.