Question:
We have a 3-year-old Sheltie. She is a beautiful, sweet, affectionate dog -- with my family, that is. But she backs off with neighbors or strangers.She's getting overweight, and when we try to walk her, we can't get her out of the house without pulling her so hard she throws up. Also, any noise she hears sends her barking to another room.When she was 6 months old, she would go for long walks. Then, for no apparent reason, she changed. We had her checked by our vet, who said it sounds like a mental problem. I rather think it's anxiety attacks, judging by the scared look on her face when she hits the outdoors.
J.W., Toms River, NJ May 27, 2007
Answer:
Many bright and sensitive Shelties like yours suffer from what amounts to a hypersensitivity disorder.They become increasingly fearful of sudden and unfamiliar stimuli, sights and sounds in particular. Specific phobias often develop, such as planes flying overhead. If nothing can be done to protect the dog from such phobia-triggering stimuli, behavior modification through desensitization and remotivation can work miracles when provided by a qualified animal-behavior therapist.More generalized hypersensitivity and associated fear/anxiety can be eased with drugs like Xanax, Valium and Reserpine.PET-FOOD RECALLThe Food and Drug Administration estimates that about 8,500 cats and dogs may have died from the poisons in pet foods containing adulterated ingredients imported from China. (For an overview, see my Web site at www.doctormwfox.org.)Two of the identified poisons, melamine and cyanuric acid, combine to form crystals in animals' kidneys, resulting in acute renal failure.I strongly advise trial treatments, un
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