Help - problem with Maltese - acting erratically.

[Southsideirish]

My 8 year old Maltese (11 lbs) has always had the best of health but in the past month has began acting oddly.
He has become very insecure, following us everywhere, also, barking in the middle of the night. Sometimes after waking up he seems dis-oriented.
In the past two weeks he has begun acting even more strangely. At certain times, maybe twice a week, he will just go nuts.
He will act very "hyper" - climbing up the windows, go in places he never goes - panting and sometimes crying.
Everything else seems fine except he may be drinking a little more water than usual. His hair is not thinning out and he hasn't lost weight so it doesn't seem to be Cushings' disease (something Malts are prone to get.)
After a "crazed" episode he will just go into a deep sleep for hours. He has always been an extremely hysterical Maltie so peculiar behavior is not too strange for him but this window and shelf climbing plus the crazed panting is new.
Anyone ever heard of this before?

[Sanity Claws]

1. Try checking

www.allexperts.com.
I have found the folks there very helpful. I wish you the best with your dog.

[Southsideirish]

4. Thanks but they seem to be all "maxed out" except for ear

problems.

[Sanity Claws]

8. Try again tomorrow morning.

They usually clear out everyday.

[Maddy McCall]

2. Silly question...

but do you have a mouse in your house? My schnauzer behaves like that when she sees a mouse. She goes crazy until I catch and dispose of it.

[Southsideirish]

3. No mice - I wish it were something so simple - I'm afraid it might

be something serious.

[RaleighNCDUer]

5. Sounds a lot like my behavior, since the election.

Seriously, though, I hope you figure it out. Have no experience with those small models.

[Carni]

6. Animal in your foundation?

Is there any chance that an animal is lodging outside in or near your foundation, or is cruising around in the area?

My dog used to go CRAZY and we thought she was ill, or senile, because she would just go nuts staring at the walls, crying, barking and generally acting bizarre...it turned out that a ground hog was dwelling next to our house's foundation.

This is the time of year where all sorts of wildlife decides to hibernate so I wouldn't rule something like that out!

[Philostopher]

7. With no other symptoms than the behavior ...

it does sound like it could be seizures of some kind. I find this site to be a good source of information:

http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dogindex.html

and this one, too:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/the_pet_web_library.html

Sorry to hear it -- the deep sleep after the behavior was what made me think it sounded like some kind of seizure. People with epileptic dogs often report that once the dogs get over a seizure, they sleep for hours.

[barb162]

9. ...he may be drinking a little more water than usual; On this alone I

would say it is time for the vet...maybe diabetic, kidney, etc., type things. Also the "panting" and "crying"could indicate some things for which I would definitely get the dog to the vet ASAP even if the panting and crying is intermittent. Sometimes they run around and pant because they hurt, sometimes because of a heart problem, etc. I know this behavior can be from many things, but in my personal experience on these type of symptoms...VET!


When is the last time the dog has had a complete chem/blood panel? Please take the dog to the vet and I know I am repeating myself

[Lefta Dissenter]

10. I would

have a complete blood-panel done immediately, including his glucose levels (may need more than one draw in order to note trends).

Even though he's not a teeny-tiny, and not a puppy (technically) it's worth a blood test to rule out hypoglycemia and a few other possibilities.

It's so hard when our littlest family members are worrying us. We have a Maltese and a Bichon, so I know how much a part of the family they are. Good luck and keep us posted!

edited to add picture of Muppy and Popcorn tearing the George bush doll to bits!