Why is my senior poodle suddenly aggressive and biting when touched?

I am so sorry Bonnie is acting out like this. I am concerned with her being 8 years old and a history of back surgery that she may have developed some arthritis that is making her painful. I would recommend starting a glucosamine supplement (you can find this at a petstore) and discussing different anti-inflammatories and pain medications with your veterinarian. To keep dogs on pain meds and/or anti-inflammatories it is recommend to check blood work and make sure their liver/kidneys are functioning well. If this does not help with her aggression then I would recommend a trainer that comes to your home to see what the triggers are. I hope Bonnie feels better soon and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly neck or back pain. It could still be pain associated with a leg even if nothing seems wrong with them. I recommend that you have Piper evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics include radiographs. Treatment would be based on findings. At the very least they can prescribe pain control medications to make Piper feel better. In the meantime, reduce her activity as much as possible as that in itself can make a big difference. Good luck and have a good night! 

The sudden temperament change can be due to stress from a new baby or maybe an indication of pain or a neurological problem such as tumor or dementia. You can talk with your vet about medicine for pain but with a new baby it is probably safest to not chance it and always keep them separate. If the medicines do not help and her behavior continues then I am afraid your only other option is considering euthanasia for everyone’s safety. I am so sorry you are faced with this!

It is hard to say for certain what is going on without seeing Corazon in person for an exam. From what you described, it sounds like he may have some back or neck pain. I recommend he sees his veterinarian for an exam very soon to help pinpoint where the pain in coming from. Your vet may recommend x-rays or other imaging to help get a better idea of what the cause is so he can get the treatment he needs to start feeling better.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. The development of aggression as a dog gets older is not something I would consider to be normal. This behavioral change could be due to canine cognitive dysfunction (think of this as doggy dementia) or potentially something more neurological (brain tumor or degenerative change to the brain). I would recommend having Buddy examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. There may be something systemic going on so having his blood tested would be a good idea. There are drugs that you can use for doggy dementia such as Selegiline. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly neck or back pain. It could still be pain associated with a leg even if nothing seems wrong with them. It sounds like he is in discomfort. I recommend that you have Simon evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Likely diagnostics include radiographs. Treatment would be based on findings. At the very least they can prescribe pain control medications to make Simon feel better. In the meantime, reduce his activity as much as possible as that in itself can make a big difference. Good luck and have a good day!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is hard to know without being able to examine him. This could be a benign or malignant growth. This is often differentiated by a test called a fine needle aspirate (FNA) which is a pain free, inexpensive and easy procedure which in most cases will help reach a diagnosis. Sometimes a biopsy is needed for a definitive diagnosis. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. I am really hoping for something benign. Good luck and have a good night!