Jack's Lyme Disease & Recent Problems…

[Capt_Jack_our_Basenji]

WELL, as some of you already know, Jack has Lyme Disease. We are Navy, so our vet is the Base Vet Clinic, and they are good doctors i think so far, but Jacks Lyme started to flare again recently and he was put on 150 mg of Doxcycline a day along with 25mg of Diphenhydramine a day for his "allergy" rash he had on his belly. Well the rash is gone, but hes still taking that pill everyday along with the Doxcycline until the pills are gone (Dr. orders) The slight problem is, Jack's personality has taken a turn for the worst. His aches and joint pains have subsided, which is good, but I think that his medication is the cause of his recent violent and spastic behavior. As some may know, we rescued Jack last August from what we think was an abusive home, but in almost a year now, he hasnt shown THIS much violence. For example, our neighbor, which is No stranger to Jack, just walked past Jack and I (he was on leash) and without a growl, hair standing on back, or ANY sign of aggression, Jack lept up and bit our poor neighbor Steve (Hard i might add) and then calmly sat back down next to me like it was a normal everyday behaivior. Also at home and at my mothers home in Ohio (when we went to visit last week) he had accidents on the floor more than once (he NEVER has Accidents) he TORE up two window blinds at her house and several at mine whenever we left, and his Seperation anxiety has Sky Rocketed (yodeling all hours of the night, paseing, and random spastic behaivior. NOW, i know i need to discuss this with the vet and i have an appointment for an update rabies shot on the 18th and i FULLY intend to bring this up, but i was wondering if i might get some insight from the forum on what might be the sudden cause in Behavioral change. I have a son on the way, due in three months, and im DREADING this behavior to carry on to Aiden's arrival. I mean, if Jack lays one violent PAW on our son, we know he cant be with us anymore…Children before Pets...but its our B "Jackers", What can i do?? HELP!!! Please tell me im not the only one!!

[tanza]

Have you had his Thyroid checked? And that is a full panel, not just the ones that typically are done with normal blood work? I would start with that… and then maybe a behaviorist would be in order... Has he been on anything for seperation anxiety?

[jys1011]

Could he still be in pain from the Lyme Disease?? Perhaps a full work up by the vet is in order. Sometimes inconsistent behavior is due to something wrong health wise. This might explain the unprovoked bite with the neighbor.

Read up on this medication & see if there are any mood altering side effects. Do some research on your own & then approach the vet with some thoughts on what the possibilities could be.

[jys1011]

Could he still be in pain from the Lyme Disease?? Perhaps a full work up by the vet is in order. Sometimes inconsistent behavior is due to something wrong health wise. This might explain the unprovoked bite with the neighbor.

Read up on this medication & see if there are any mood altering side effects. Do some research on your own & then approach the vet with some thoughts on what the possibilities could be.

[Capt_Jack_our_Basenji]

@tanza:

Have you had his Thyroid checked? And that is a full panel, not just the ones that typically are done with normal blood work? I would start with that… and then maybe a behaviorist would be in order... Has he been on anything for seperation anxiety?

I didnt know Dogs could be put on medication for mental type problems…weird. I havent had his Thyroid checked, i suppose i could mention it to the vet...lol. IM HOPEING its just a stage and it passes...but who knows

[tanza]

Please insist that his Thyroid be checked. It is a common problem in Basenjis to have a low thyroid, especially spayed/neutered ones… even a low normal Thyroid in Basenjis is not normal.... medications for this are easy to give and pretty inexpensive.

And yes, there are medications for mental problems.... there are a couple of different ones....

[tanza]

Remember, while Vets are great, they don't know everything about all breeds and like your own health sometimes you have to push….. Your Vet should not take it as "you are a know it all"... but should listen to what you have to say....

[Capt_Jack_our_Basenji]

ok. Thanks for all your Advise. Id like to know if anyone has their B's on medication for behavioral problems…??

[tanza]

There was another thread about separation problems… which is different then "behavior problems"... There is no medication for behavior, per say.... unless there is a problem with his Thyroid... having Thyroid problems can cause a lot of different problems.... but it is not a "cure all"

[gbroxon]

Basenjis seem to have a propensity for thyroid problems, so a full thyroid panel is definitely in order, IMO. You'll need the full six-panel test, not just T3 and T4, to make a definitive diagnosis. It's more expensive (I paid $83 this year in Minnesota), but I feel it's worth it.

Although others may disagree, I get Magnum's thyroid tested every year and fax the results to Dr. Jean Dodds (Homeopet), who, upon the advice of other B fanciers, I've decided to trust in matters regarding Basenji thyroid levels. Dr. Dodds does not charge for giving you her opinion on the results, which I find remarkable.

There is "behavior" medication. I tried "Clomicalm" for Magnum for his SA, but he was allergic, so we had to take the long road. I've heard there are others, but haven't tried them. Feel free to PM me for more info.

[tanza]

@gbroxon:

Basenjis seem to have a propensity for thyroid problems, so a full thyroid panel is definitely in order, IMO. You'll need the full six-panel test, not just T3 and T4, to make a definitive diagnosis. It's more expensive (I paid $83 this year in Minnesota), but I feel it's worth it.

Although others may disagree, I get Magnum's thyroid tested every year and fax the results to Dr. Jean Dodds (Homeopet), who, upon the advice of other B fanciers, I've decided to trust in matters regarding Basenji thyroid levels. Dr. Dodds does not charge for giving you her opinion on the results, which I find remarkable.

There is "behavior" medication. I tried "Clomicalm" for Magnum for his SA, but he was allergic, so we had to take the long road. I've heard there are others, but haven't tried them. Feel free to PM me for more info.

Please note, behavior medication is limited to separation problems… it doesn't help regular behavior problems....

[gbroxon]

Well, SA is a type of behavior, yes?

What kind of behaviors are you referring to, Pat?

[Mantis]

Caesar barely had a UTI and became very growly at times in his routine. It is amazing how animals can mask pain. Caesar would growl, Beta would shake.

He may be in pain and acting out when he feels like he is being bothered, like on your walk.

The destructive behavior and the crying at night can be helped by more attention. He may be feeling better and has more energy than when he was achey.

Try going back to what you would do when he was a puppy. Give him something that takes a long time to eat in the kennel at night to help with that anxiety time. I have found my boy cries less if his kennel is covered by a blanket. He quiets down right away.

Try walking at the time when your guy was being destructive. He may just have energy that is making him rambunctious. Another good way to burn energy is to play fetch inside or do some fun training with cheerioh treats or something small that will keep his attention?

Just a few non medication suggestions. Keep us posted!

[tanza]

@gbroxon:

Well, SA is a type of behavior, yes?

What kind of behaviors are you referring to, Pat?

Things like biting behaviors.. just wanted to make a point that meds are for specific behaviors.. not a cure all

[Capt_Jack_our_Basenji]

WELL its all been great advice guys. Im worried now about the thyroid problem, but my vet appt. is on the 18th and im going to have him tested. Still, deep down inside im hopeing its the Lyme medication hes on. only two more days of that after today. I DID do some research on the side effects of the Diphenhydramine and Doxcycline on dogs as well as humans. (im not sure how they would know if a dog has aches or pains or dry mouth lol, without asking.) BUT some of the side effects would make Me grumpy. We'll just have to wait and see on the 18th. Ill keep you all posted!!

[tanza]

Don't worry about the Thyroid, nothing you can do but to have it tested… and really all Basenjis should be checked, especially older spay/neutered.... and it is always good to have a base line done at an early age... IMO... Of course I am a BIG, BIG pusher of Blood work and to have it done as a pup as a base line and of course before any surgery.... and as they age, senior panels at least yearly are a certain requirement.. in my book anyway (and my Vets...)

[gbroxon]

@tanza:

Things like biting behaviors.. just wanted to make a point that meds are for specific behaviors.. not a cure all

Oh, I agree completely! They are definitely NOT a cure-all. IMO, drugs used for unwwanted behavior should only be used as part of a behavior modification program, especially when dealing with SA.