My dog is acting weird...

**KBear** · 10-01-2009, 12:50 AM

My dog, Jack a 7 year old all white boxer, has been acting/ behaving weirdly for the last couple of days. He has just been laying around and not doing much. He isn't going crazy when the doorbell rings, not jumping/likcing the company to death and the weirdest of all, not eating much.

Jack is EXTREMELY food motivated, we taught him to roll over, shake, sit, lay, etc with popcorn. This dog loves to eat, he will 'hide' in the garage when someone goes out there, then when we leave and forget he's in there, he will eat all the cats food (we have a cat door to our garage and keep their litter boxes and food out there.) He hasn't been even attempting to 'hide out' in the garage. In the mornings, he usually gets up with me, does his buisness outside and then waits and whines by the food bowl for his breakfast. He has not done this for a couple of days; but instead stays in bed for a couple of more hours. He also knows that when my husband gets home from work that it is dinner time and he will whine and follow us around until he gets fed. When we feed him, he eats every single bite of it and licks the bowl clean and he hasn't been doing this either.

Last night, I fed him late and he didn't even touch it, this morning it was still there and he didn't eat it then either. He ate about a 1/4 of it today at his usual dinner time and the rest is just sitting there. This dog NEVER ever leaves food in his bowl.

He also usually whines by the door to go out, jumps on it and cries to come. We play the in and out game all day long. He only 'asked' to go out a couple of times today. The rest of the time, we had to call him and tell him to go outside.

He has also been just laying around, not doing much and definitely not being himself. At night, he usually stays downstairs until the last person goes to bed (usually me), we then call him to come with us to his bed. Tonight, my husband went to be early and he went with him, without being called.

I'm getting worried about him, as boxers only have an average life span of 8 or 9 years. I am going to call the vet tomorrow and see if I can get him in, to find out what is going on with him.

Please say a prayer for him,
Kathy

**Nairek** · 10-01-2009, 01:10 AM

Definitely call the vet in the morning. Is it possible that he ate something that he shouldn't have? Has he been bitten by any ticks recently? Any new changes in the house?

You can try feeding him some baby food or canned cat food to see if that interests him. But I would call the vet first to see what they say. They may decide to put him on IV fluids to rehydrate him if he's not eating & drinking.

I will keep you & Jack in my thoughts. Please let us know what the vet says.

**Graysonlaw** · 10-01-2009, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Nairek

Definitely call the vet in the morning. Is it possible that he ate something that he shouldn't have? Has he been bitten by any ticks recently? Any new changes in the house?

I echo the comments about calling the vet. I grew up with Boxers and know that when they don't eat, something's up. My biggest fear has always been where their stomach flips -- I forgot the name, but this is a life threatening condition! I don't want to cause a panic, but it is deadly serious. Check for what appears to be bulging in the stomach area. Oh, I hope the best for you. Boxers are awesome members of the family!

**Nairek** · 10-01-2009, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Graysonlaw

I echo the comments about calling the vet. I grew up with Boxers and know that when they don't eat, something's up. My biggest fear has always been where their stomach flips -- I forgot the name, but this is a life threatening condition! I don't want to cause a panic, but it is deadly serious. Check for what appears to be bulging in the stomach area. Oh, I hope the best for you. Boxers are awesome members of the family!

The flipping stomach is known as gastric torsion when the stomach rotates partially & gastric volvolus when it flips totally. You are correct in that this is a serious condition which needs veterinary care immediately! In my experience & studies, it is more common in "hollow chested" dogs of a large size. I'm thinking that this may not be the case since it has been going on for a few days.

I have a rambunctious Coonhound & I always worry about this happening to her. And since we are hoping to add a Weimaraner to the household, it's something that I have been reading about.

It should be 9am Central time now. I'm hoping the vet can get you in right away.

**Justin** · 10-01-2009, 11:59 AM

Hi Kathy,

I hope Jack is OK. Good luck at the vet--please keep us posted.

**Katie** · 10-01-2009, 12:59 PM

Ditto Kathy. I always take stuff like this seriously. Not eating is a big sign with both me and the animals

**Cindylou** · 10-01-2009, 02:35 PM

Any news yet Kathy? Yeah, definitely, the not eating, and especially not drinking water are not good. Please let us know ok? Saying a prayer for Jack.

**KBear** · 10-02-2009, 03:12 PM

Thanks for the prayers and advice. Jack started eating a little yesterday and hubby wanted to wait until today to call the vet, since he was seeming a bit better (I thought we should call; but respected his judgement). Jack finally ate this morning and is starting to be back to his normal self. He is begging to play the outside/inside game, so that's a plus. He is also not just laying around and sleeping all day and is starting to annoy the cats again (another plus). We are going to keep an eye on him and make sure that this continues.

**Cindylou** · 10-02-2009, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by KBear

He is begging to play the outside/inside game, so that's a plus. He is also not just laying around and sleeping all day and is starting to annoy the cats again (another plus). We are going to keep an eye on him and make sure that this continues.

All the behaviors you are happy to see again, no doubt.

Good news :thumpup: Kathy. Hopefully it was just a belly ache of some sort.

Thanks for the update on another furry loved one.