Why is my dog anxious, twitchy, and suddenly acting unlike himself?

I'm sorry to hear Gizmo isn't acting himself! Without seeing him it is very hard to say. It sound like he could be painful and he's acting anxious. I recommend taking him to the vet for a full physical exam. Have them check for pain in his limbs or spine. Have them check for an ear infection or any evidence of fleas. Also have them check his anal glands. These are common areas that pets have problems and show signs of anxiety. I would also question if there have been any loud noises or thunder storms. These things can also cause stress in pets. Please do not give any medications over the counter until you talk to your vet. Good luck and kisses to Gizmo!

Poor Moose. It sounds like he may be in pain or anxious about something. I would have your vet take a look at him to ensure he isn't having any neck or back pain and to ensure that his abdomen also isn't painful. Your vet will be able to do an thorough exam to determine whether it is pain or anxiety and give him the proper meds to help him feel better. I do not recommend giving any human pain meds as most are toxic to dogs. I hope this helps!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Rio, it sounds like he may be exhibiting this reaction due to pain. Some pets will display similar behavior if they are experiencing pain of the neck/back, abdomen, or mouth (dental). You are correct that these types of reactions can be due to severe anxiety, but this would most likely not affect his appetite and attitude when people are not interacting with him. I would recommend having him thoroughly evaluated by his veterinarian to see if the pain can be localized. Based on the physical examination findings, additional diagnostics may be recommended (complete blood count, serum chemistry, urinalysis), and treatments can be tailored based on findings.

If only Milo could talk! This type of behavior could be related to something like anxiety or to pain/discomfort. I recommend to have him examined by the veterinarian who will check for evidence of pain on the physical exam. Many times this type of sudden pain is related to intervertebral disc disease, discospondylitis, upper abdominal pain or a pinched nerve. They may also check a urine sample or the anal glands as well. Since he can't talk, it's best to play it safe. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Ruling out an underlying health issue such as pain or illness is always a good first step when your pet experiences a sudden behavior change. As seven is the start of the senior years, it is possible there is some pain from laying in the bed, or arthritis causing problems. if Milou checks out health, trying to find if there is a pattern to the "attacks" may be helpful- does it happen the same time every night? Same spot? Same triggers? Is the neighbor arriving home in a noisy car at that time, etc? This may help you figure out what is triggering it so you can make some adjustments- IE moving the bed somewhere quieter, making sure your dog is fast asleep prior to that time, getting out excess energy before bed, feeding a treat to keep the stomach from becoming too empty and causing growling/discomfort, etc. If you can't seem to find any pattern at all, taking a video of the even to bring to your vet or a local trainer may be helpful in better identifying what is going on, and finding a solution.

He is painful not afraid. This posture looks like neck pain from a bulging intervertebral disc. This is very painful and is common in small dogs. Please take him to your veterinarian for an exam. They will probably prescribe pain medication, muscle relaxers and an anti inflammatory medication. They may recommend an X-ray also. This is a serious medical problem as the pain can be severe and some dogs become paralyzed. You should not use a collar on Moose, use a harness if needed. Massage and heat on the neck can reduce the muscle spasms and make Moose more comfortable. Also I treat these dogs with laser and acupuncture for the neurological problem, muscle spasm and pain. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Moose.

Poor Meeko! If he has some swelling under his neck and seems painful, I'm afraid he really needs to see a vet today. The swelling may be due to bleeding, inflammation, or even air under the skin if his trachea was damaged in the fight. Some of these problems can be quite serious. Your vet can examine Meeko and take x-rays if needed to help determine if his injuries are serious - it's possible that he might need surgery or hospitalization, depending on what is found. At the very least, your vet will likely prescribe pain medication and antibiotics to treat the wound.