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View Full Version : Behaviour Changes (long, but worried)


paiger
03-13-2006, 11:52 AM
I am starting to become concerned about some behaviour changes in our leo. It all started when he started to get into the trash again (he did as a puppy). I thought he was just having some 'attention' issues, which could still be the case, but I'm just getting kinda concerned.

First ~ Huge trash eating fiasco when he ate lots of dirty monthly products.
crazy trash day (http://www.constantchatter.com/showpost.php?p=597932&postcount=11)

This is the end of that post -
Since then: Two nights ago the bathroom trash was getting about 3/4 of the way up and at 4am I got up to pee to find kleenex's shredded up on the bathroom floor.

Since that post: When I've left the closet open, he's actually gone in there to get panties if they are on the floor. Typically, if the laundry is in the living room while I'm putting into piles, and he's left alone, he'll get into it. But, going into the closet for them is a recent thing. He knows it's wrong, but it's like he can't help himself.

Secondly ~
When I'm home, it's like he can't get close enough to me. He'll just sit and look at me and whine. He has food, water and has been to the bathroom, but he'll just sit there and whine. If I sit on the couch, he wants to be really on top of me like he can't get close enough, and he is the same way at night in bed. I know that doesn't sound weird, but it's different than normal. I mean, we do A LOT of snuggling on the couch and stuff, but this is just different like extreme neediness. He'll play w/ DH if DH tries, but really he just wants to be near me. Usually at night, he wants to snuggle w/ DH in the bed, but not at all lately.

Then, this weekend, he spent most of his time in the bedroom away from us even when we were home. I was home alone yesterday, and if I would call him, he'd come and check on me, then he might stay w/ me a bit but would go back. Then, while I was cooking he came into the kitchen to hope for dropped food. Friday and Sunday nights though, he didn't even come out when we were eating dinner.

Thirdly and most odd ~
He soiled his crate. He's NEVER done this unless really sick. He actually peed all over his bedding. The worst is that I'm not sure when he did it, but I think it was on Saturday (when we discovered it). I looked him over, and there was no urine on his body so I really hope that he just did it without having to lie in it. He had been out a couple of times, and he can hold it REALLY well. We got up a little earlier than normal, and we went out to run errands. I'd say we were gone about 3-4 hours, then we came home. DH stuck around, and I left again. When DH went to go to school is when he found it, and he said the bedding was wet at the time but not saturated. However, there was enough there that it must have dried some.


It's really all suprising to me, b/c DH has been working at home quite a bit over the last 2 weeks. So, I'm having a hard time that it could be separation. We've been busy lately. Plus, both DH and I are really stressed right now, so I know leo is feeling that from us. Could that be it, or are these changes enough to warrant a health concern? Online it seems like everyone talks about aggression behavioral changes, but we aren't having problems with that. It's more like the opposite.

greenbunny
03-13-2006, 11:57 AM
How old is he? I know that cats socially mature at about 2 years old. This is basically when they act like teenagers--running around like nuts, tormenting other pets they previously got along with, destructive behavior, etc. Maybe there's a similar stage in dog development?

paiger
03-13-2006, 12:00 PM
He's turning 4 on March 26th. He did that where he got really good, then at like the age of 2, he went through an into everything phase. Then, by the time we moved here he'd gotten out of that phase for the most part. We were able to leave him out of his crate but keep the bedroom/bathroom doors closed. Then, he just started getting into things again.

sdianems
03-13-2006, 12:01 PM
My first reaction is illness....maybe a trip to the vets for a quick checkup is in order.
At the least you could rule out any physical problems...

paiger
03-13-2006, 12:09 PM
My first reaction is illness....maybe a trip to the vets for a quick checkup is in order.
At the least you could rule out any physical problems...
That is what I'm wondering, too. However, I don't have a Vet here, yet. We've been in search of one, but haven't found one we love. So, I'm confused as how to handle it, b/c it seems like going in w/ behavioural/personality changes would be hard for a Vet that has never met leo.

Should I take him to the Vet we had planned on trying next. I have two Vets that I wanted to try, and I've actually met people that have used these Vets before.

Or, when we Kennel him, there is a Vet Practice attached. We haven't taken him to the Vet there, b/c it is pretty far away. I wanted to get a Vet closer to our apartment. However, at least someone there knows leo somewhat.

Also, what should I tell the Vet - everything that I've said here, or is there a better more concise way to explain it?

greenbunny
03-13-2006, 12:13 PM
Can you get the old vet to mail the records? Having a history would probably be a good start.

paiger
03-13-2006, 12:14 PM
Can you get the old vet to mail the records? Having a history would probably be a good start.
I have his complete history, so that shouldn't be a problem. I don't think it says much about his temperament though, just any shots and medical problems that he had.

jesvet
03-13-2006, 12:40 PM
Start with a checkup, definitely. Behavior problems are hard to diagnose and do involve ruling out medical probems.

It sounds like an anxiety problem- again, this is without the benefit of a full history and exam so it's really only one guess of several possibilities. You have a good list of the problems, so I guess the only thing I would add before going in is to think about any changes that may be going on, and maybe come up with a timeline of when all the problems have happened.

Good luck!

paiger
03-13-2006, 01:19 PM
I made an appointment, so I'll work on getting this into a timeline w/ shorter descriptions. Thanks!