Dog acting scared/manic

[sassyvega]

My dog has recently starting acting quite strange. He's 8, mixed breed beage/shepherd/mutt, 45 lbs. He has epilepsy and is being treated successfully w/ 92 mg of phenobarb a day. He also is occasionally given a minute dose of acepromezine for fear of storms. He has in the last few days started acting very strange. He starts by following me around or acting like he needs something. If I let him out, give him food or whatever he just stands there looking at me and continues to follow me whining and panting. Came back from the store yesterday after being gone 2 hrs(he was fine when we left) and he was panting ferociously and was all wide eyed and frantic looking. I'm wondering if something in the house is freaking him out or if this is siezure activity and his phenobarb needs increased. Please help w/ any advice.

[Giselle]

If he were a healthy dog, I'd say it was fear based and probably separation anxiety.

But because he has epilepsy, a neurological disorder, I can't say anything definitively. My best advice is to ask your vet what the side effects of the medications are and, if at all possible, consult a veterinary behaviorist.

[shepgirl]

Ace can have some funny effects on some dogs as well as horses. Don't know why anyone would resort to this. Why not just give him Benadryl or even a small dose of valium? I have to go alomg with seeing your vet about this.

[sassyvega]

It's definately not separation anxiety. We've had him for 8 yrs and he's never had separation anxiety before.

I didn't "resort" to giving him ace. Called my vet to ask if there was anything I could give him that would not interfear w/ the PB. This is what the vet gave me. He has only gotten it 3 times and he gets a fourth a pill!! After doing some research on the subject, we have decided not to give him the ace anymore. I'm going to try Recue Remedy

It's now Friday and his behavior is still strange. Going to call the vet

[shepgirl]

Sorry SASS - didn't mean to imply you were resorting to ACE. Was more wondering why your vet would use this. Valium works much better in conjunction with pheno. Hope everything will check out fine at the vet's.
Was wondering if he had shots recently before this behavior, I've witnessed some of those behaviors from rabies shots especially.
Wondering if maybe he might be having absence seizures which are leaving him confused?

[Zoeythelsot]

Where do you live? Silly Idea but if u live in the area of Fay's path your dog may be sensing this.

[gardengirl]

I'm sorry your dog is not feeling well right now. Whenever there is a change in my dog's behavior, I would always check with my vet first. If it's a med problem, then you never need to evaluate behavior. Plus, there may be something else going on. Good luck and I hope he feels better real soon.