It could be his age, or he may not feel well, or maybe a combination of both. I'd get him to a vet for a complete senior work-up. I had the same situation with my 12 year old boy in late winter/early spring. Took him to the vet to see what was going on. Answer: nothing. Exactly one week after this 'passed with flying colors' exam, he was in acute pain and spent a week at the vet. Severe bleeding from arteries and veins and he turned purple then black. (Vasculitis). He's home now and I'm not as worried about the clinginess, I'm worried that I'll be missing him soon. Which is not to say that you shouldn't try to work this - just that there may be something else going on, so worthwhile to get him into the vet even if they find nothing.

I had a Shepherd/Lab female that lived to be 14. Starting around 11 or 12 she started to develop lots of the things you describe, but it was just because she was old and had at least 3 major health issues. The situation did not require any type of medication.

I now have a 17 month old Shepherd/Hound, that two weeks ago was diagnosed with anxiety and is now on medication twice a day for two months. She has all of the symptoms mentioned plus obsessive licking on her wrists.

Good luck!!

SG

Panting is usually a sign of distress. My dog also likes to be around me when he's not feeling well - unless he has a tummy ache and goes off to a corner to puke :-)

I'd take your senior to the vet for a checkup.

First, I will disclaim with check with your vet to rule out any physical issues.

My experience with two now gone labradors, were that they both became more anxious with age. My male started around age 9 with separation anxiety, my female was younger, yet she had issues throughout her life with stranger anxiety. There are meds available that can be used to make your pet more comfortable after you rule out any other medical issues. My first "grown up" lab was put on Amitriptyline (sp?) when he started hiding in my husband's closet when I would go to the office. After 3 weeks on the dose, he was fine with being left and we never had another incident.

My female was taking so many meds when her separation anxiety set in that the above med or Qualcalm (sp?) (commonly used for anxiety) weren't an option. We used Melatonin 3 mg. during times when there were going to be thunderstorms. I was also able to adjust my schedule to work from my home office so she really spent very litle time without someone in the house. Also, we had 3 dogs, so she was really never alone.

I am now realizing that it is not only older dogs who can experience anxiety as my youngest (going to be 4) lab is showing signs. We are treating him with the Melatonin as I don't want to start him so young on the heavier meds, and I think alot of his anxiety is a reaction to losing our 12 yr. old female very recently. We are hoping his anxiety will resolve given a little time.

Your vet is best to guide you regarding how to deal with the anxiety. I will give one shout out to Amitrip. - Qualcalm (sp.?) is extremely expensive and the same result can be achieved with the Amitriptyline which is a very inexpensive med.

Wow how odd to find this thread today. I just took my 2 yr old chihuahua to the vet today because of behavioral changes.

He used to sleep in a crate at night and be crated whenever we left the house and he was always happy to be in it. UNTIL one day about a month ago, something bit him; whether it be a spider or a fire ant, we don't know but it happened while he was in the crate. He had a reaction to whatever bit him, swelled up and got red bumps all over his body and needed to go to the vet and had to get a shot. (car rides make him nervous and shakey too). We've also hd some pretty severe thunder/lightening storms that freak him out. And he's licking his paws to death.

So, since then, he wants nothing to do with his crate. He cries and whines all night and when I tell him it's time for bed, to go get in his crate he runs under a table and shakes.

The vet said he could do bloodwork but why bother since he feels the problem is "between his ears" meaning in his head.

Today my dog was prescribed Clomipramine which is an anxiety medicine to be taken twice a day. I sure hope it helps the little guy, he's a mess!

So now I won't make him get in the crate at night; he'll sleep with my son. He seems to want to be with someone all the time.

Susan, I hope you find something to ease your dogs anxiety.

just visited with a friend whose old dog started pacing, panting, etc.

He had a tumor pressing against (if I remember exactly) his pituitary gland.

nothing to do but medicate & wait until it's time to let him go, but at least he'll be comfortable, not anxious & upset.

I wish you the best.

Thanks, everyone, for your responses. Wolfy had his check-up and shots in May, and had a clean bill of health then, except the vet noticed a little stiffness in his hind legs.

It's not quite true that Wolfy exhibits this behavior "all the time," as I said above. "Part of every day" would be more accurate. I'll call the vet on Monday and explain the situation.

Susan

I have a 2 year old Great Pyrenees going through all the same things as mentioned above. He was always clingy but for a breed that should be more aloof and it's getting worse. He's afraid of the dark. i took him to the Vet's yesterday and asked them to see what if anything was going on. She said the fear of the dark may be due to night blindness. She said that behind the retina should be clear and his is hazy. In my opinion his eyesight is fine. He also has been going after his paws. He was groomed about a month ago and I think he was stressed and started after his paws. The Vet wanted to blame it on allergies. I had a Pry that had horrible skin allergies, Sammy does NOT have allergies. It is all stress. We have tried Pet Calm and it had the reverse effect on him. If anyone has any ideas what to do, I'd love to hear from you. We are going away this weekend and have to board him, I'm scared to think how he'll react TIA Gina

Yes, I think anxiety in senior dogs is a given! I lost a [nearly] 16 year old beagle-shep mix earlier this year. During the last year of his life, he had gone from being Mr. Laid Back to Mr. Needy. He had to be touching me if at all possible...his paw on my foot, his body leaning on my leg, etc. before he showed signs of calmness. This was especially true outside. As you say, not all the time, but a noticeable difference from his young-dog personality.

I suspect it's because dogs are aware that as they age, they become more vulnerable to attack (can't see as well, can't run as fast) and try to stick by us so we can provide them with protection.

Interesting thread. My experience with a 20-year old Collie mix is completely different. She showed no signs of increasing anxiety as she aged. Happily for us and for her, as she lost her hearing she was no longer bothered by thunder (we used to have to hold her during severe thunderstorms). She was also with 3 other dogs whom she loved, and she used to take her favorite chew toy and lie touching her favorite dog, the big male mastiff.

Thank you for this thread! My 12 year old Peekapoo doesn't show these signs. But, doesn't put up with "nonsense" from the younger dogs. He will grawl at them if they mess with him.

We feel he has earned his right not be bothered by the youngsters.

My 20 yr. old was very anxious and nervous in his last two years. He had lost his hearing and was losing his sight. He was not certain of things around him and it made him more agreesive(he would snap if you walked near him because he thought you were going to walk on him.). It's a sign of aging and losing their senses.

My lab mix, Megan, was more and more anxious in her later years. She died of liver cancer at age 9. When they opened her for surgery when she unexpectedly developed internal bleeding, they found she was filled with cancer tumors. Looking back at her last year or two, DH and I wonder if she was not in some distress from these growths, and that was what made her so fussy. It got so that she would bark at anything (was so laid back she barked at nothing when younger), and bugged us to give her rawhide chew after rawhide chew in the evenings. I know when I have pain (like menstrual cramping) I want to chew and chew too!

Poor critters - they look to us for so much, and we are so poor at knowing what is wrong with them! They must think sometimes, "Mamma tries - but she is as dumb as a stump! Can't she tell I have ___ (fill in the blank)"