Can dogs sense....(Long sorry)

change?? My 1yr old dog has appeared to be depressed the last several days. He has been moping around with tail between legs and sleeping alot. There has not been any change with his eating and bathroom routine though. There also has not been any vomiting. He is usually very energetic and always into everything...but not lately. FH and I just closed on a home last Friday and have been packing things up and moving boxes. This leaves little time with him unfortunatly until we get everything done. (We have to be out of our apat by the 21st.) We decided to take him to the vet the day before yesterday though because he was not jumping on the couch as usual and seemed tense under his belly. We brought him and the vet checked his spine etc. She said that it appeared as though he cringed when she touched the middle of his spine. Also, she thought that the tension under his belly was due to the extra support he is trying to give himself. She said that he may have injured his back while jumping or running because he is so energetic. Or, he could have moved a disc etc. She said that she would start him on an anti-imflamatory for the next three days. She said if he appears better with it we will then see if it returns after the meds stop. If there is no change in three days she would like to do an x-ray, blood work etc. He seemed much better yesterday - he was palying with toys, running etc. But, we had to leave the apart last night again for a period of time to do things with the house. When we returned he still seemed fine. However, he pooped and peed in his cage last night which he NEVER does. When I was cleaning up he began with the moping around again..he was even hiding under the table. I stayed home from work today to monitor him and he has just been sleeping and moping around. I don't get it though-- he seemed better yesterday. Do you think that his back and forth behavior could be due to him sensing that we are moving and something is changing in combination with the back injury? Or, should I go back to the vet ASAP bc it could be something more eventhough he hasn't finished the meds??

We thought it would be a good idea to bring him to the house to sniff around which we did....but we don't bring him with us because we don't want him to get hurt with everything round and we are in the midst of painting. There is also no fence in the back yard....Please let me know what you think!

Thanks

Re: Can dogs sense....(Long sorry)

Message edited 11/18/2011 8:32:25 PM.

Re: Can dogs sense....(Long sorry)

I think they can totally sense change. When my doggie was alive he used to get so angry at me when I took out my suitcases. I learned to pack literally right before I left on vacation so that he wouldn't be mad at me for too long before I left. Then my parents would tell me while I was gone he would do things he wouldn't normally do with me around like sit at the window all night long and lay on my pillow when he knew that wasn't allowed. Dogs stress too.

Re: Can dogs sense....(Long sorry)

I definitely believe that your dog knows what is going on and maybe even having some sort of anxiety. My dogs get all nervous when I pack a luggage to go away. They get all quiet and depressed and worried. Only you will know your dog best. Its possible your dog did maybe hurt his back, i wouldnt rule that out 100%. You could go get him checked out for peace of mind.. ive done that be4 too when he wasnt acting himself. I understand where you are coming from, but it sounds like to me the moping around is b/c of your dog seeing all of the boxes and hustle bustle that has been going on with your move. Maybe try to take some time for your dog and go on a walk or a special treat or bone to chew on. Possibly even go to a dog park if thats what your dog enjoys. HTH goodluck!

Re: Can dogs sense....(Long sorry)

when i go on vacation, my dog can totally sense it. he starts getting really depressed and moppy and sleepy. he even started shaking last time. i feel so bad :(

Re: Can dogs sense....(Long sorry)

I know they sense things beyond what we can even imagine,and it does sound that way. For me, I'd do the tests, they xrays, whatever, because that spine thing would worry me. If the vet had not said that he cringed when she touched his spine, then I would just wait it out, but that would make me wnt to look further. JMO. Please keep us posted! Good luck with everything!!

Re: Can dogs sense....(Long sorry)

They can sense change--but still let the vet check her--to be on the safe side